Crowns and Bridges
What is a dental crown?
A crown completely covers a damaged or weakened tooth. It protects the tooth, restores its shape and size, improves its appearance, and allows for normal chewing. A crown is typically placed when a tooth is broken or decayed, after root canal treatment, when a tooth is severely worn, or for cosmetic restorations.
Types of Crowns
- A metal-ceramic crown combines a sturdy metal framework covered with ceramic for a natural appearance and high durability.
- An all-ceramic crown is made entirely of ceramic, offering a highly aesthetic result, ideal for visible front teeth.
- Composite resin crowns are a more economical and quicker option, suitable for temporary restorations or for teeth that are not under heavy stress.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Dental crowns provide a natural, aesthetic appearance and perform the same functions as a natural tooth.
- They are durable and strong, allowing for near-normal chewing.
- Permanently fixed in the mouth (cemented), they are more stable than removable prostheses such as full or partial dentures.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring itself to adjacent teeth or implants. It restores chewing function, preserves the alignment of the remaining teeth, and improves the appearance of the smile. A bridge is typically placed when one or more teeth are missing to prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting and to restore both function and aesthetics.
Types of Dental Bridges
- The fixed dental bridge: replaces a missing tooth by anchoring itself to the two adjacent teeth; this is a common and stable solution, but it requires the healthy neighboring teeth to be prepared.
- The butterfly bridge: consisting of an artificial tooth with two metal wings bonded to the adjacent teeth, this bridge better preserves the neighboring teeth compared to a traditional fixed dental bridge.
- The implant-supported bridge: attached directly to implants, it replaces missing teeth without affecting natural teeth and offers maximum stability.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
- Restoration of chewing ability and normal oral function.
- Preservation of jaw alignment and structure.
- Improved smile aesthetics and renewed confidence.