Crowns & Bridges

What is it?

Crowning or “capping” a tooth involves reducing a tooth’s entire surface and replacing it with an artificial material, such as high-strength porcelain or a combination of metal and porcelain. When an entire tooth (or several teeth) are missing, several crowns can be used to create a restorative bridge.

A bridge consists of permanently attaching artificial teeth to healthy, supporting teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges are used to replace missing teeth, restoring both appearance and function. A bridge can be made from either porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two materials. When preparing a conventional bridge, a dentist will need to prepare the teeth on either side of the gap so that they can successfully hold the bridge in place.

What are the benefits?

A crown is a restoration that covers, or “caps,” a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings won’t solve the problem. If you have a cracked tooth, a crown will hold it together and seal the cracks so that the damage doesn’t get worse. Crowns are also used to restore a tooth when there isn’t enough of it remaining to provide support for a large filling. It can also be used in order to attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discoloured teeth.

If a tooth has been broken or weakened by a lot of decay or a large filling, a crown can be fitted in order to restore its shape. Your dentist will match the artificial crown to the shape and colour of your other teeth so that it looks natural and beautiful. rown can last for many years, depending on the health of the tooth underneath.