What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?

A dental bridge is what you need if you have a missing tooth. Your missing tooth can lead to an unwanted gap, which is a troublesome cosmetic problem. This may also lead to discomfort when chewing and other issues.

It’s made up of at least two crowns, on each side of the gap, and false tooth/teeth in between. These crowns are called “abutment teeth”. On the other hand, false teeth are called “pontics”, which is made from gold, alloys, and porcelain.

Unlike removable dental devices such as dentures, dental bridges and crowns are fixed in place and are cemented to the existing teeth. Only registered dentists can remove dental bridges and crowns.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Aside from covering a damaged tooth and improving teeth appearance, shape or alignment, the following also serve as key benefits of having dental crowns:

• Replace large filling if there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• Protects a weak tooth from fractures
• Restores a fractured tooth
• Cover dental implants
• Attach a bridge
• Cover poorly shaped teeth
• Cover tooth after a root canal treatment

Benefits of Tooth Bridges

Bridges are utilized to replace missing teeth. You will benefit from tooth bridges because it can:

• Restore your ability to speak and chew properly
• Restore your smile
• Maintain your face’s shape
• Prevent the rest of the teeth from drifting

There are three main types of dental bridges:

1. Traditional Bridges is the most common bridge. They’re made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
2. Cantilever Bridges are often used when there is adjacent tooth on one side of the missing tooth.
3. Maryland bonded bridges-metal or porcelain wings often on just one side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

Dental crowns and tooth bridges can last a lifetime. However, there are some instances wherein the crown or the bridge becomes loose or falls out. Make sure to practice proper oral hygiene and consult your dentist should any problem arise.