About Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a permanent cap that fits over the top of a damaged or discolored tooth to restore the appearance and function of that tooth. Dental crowns are often necessary to protect a tooth after root canal or trauma that has weakened the tooth. A crown can also hold a broken tooth together to prevent it from breaking any further. In short, dental crowns reinforce and protect the visible crown of the tooth and the roots that support it.

Molded from a variety of materials, including ceramics, porcelain-and-metal, gold and resin, crowns duplicate the look and feel of natural teeth. Because they mimic the look and color of natural tooth enamel, crowns are often indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

About Dental Bridges

As their name implies, dental bridges bridge the gap left behind by one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges prevent remaining teeth from shifting into these gaps; shifting teeth can cause cosmetic issues and can even affect your bite.

Dental bridges consist of at least two abutment crowns cemented onto the remaining teeth on each side of the gap, and at least one false tooth to fill in the gap. The abutment teeth support the replacement teeth, known as pontics. The procedure requires filing down the abutment teeth to accommodate the space needed by the crowns.

Implant-supported bridges

Rather than being supported by the neighboring abutment teeth, these bridges are supported by a titanium rod surgically implanted into the jawbone.

For more information about dental crowns and bridges, contact Friends and Family Dental.