Bridges and crowns are fixed prosthetic restorations used to restore missing or damaged teeth. These are either fixed to existing teeth on either side or on one side of the missing tooth gap, or are screwed to dental implants.

Crowns are artificial teeth restorations made of porcelain and/or palladium, which are used to replace missing or damaged teeth. When teeth become severely worn, decayed or have large cavities, crowns may be used to cover or cap part of the tooth. Crowns or caps restore the tooth to a natural look and function.

When is a Crown necessary?

Crowns are recommended in a number of cases to restore and strengthen tooth structure. These include:

• When large existing fillings may have weakened the tooth or reduced its structure.
• Teeth at risk of fracture due to weakened structure.
• Teeth fractured and require restoration.
• Teeth damaged due to accident or injury.
• To provide added support for a prosthetic device, such as denture or bridge.
• To screw to a dental implant as a substitute artificial tooth.
• To cover and protect a tooth after root canal treatment and/or root filling.
• To improve tooth appearance by replacing discoloured fillings.

They are usually made of restorative materials such as porcelain and/or palladium. Most crowns consist of porcelain layers bonded to a precious metal base. The metal base serves as a platform to mount the porcelain artificial tooth.

Restorative material, such as porcelain, may be used without the metal base, but will not be as durable as bonded palladium or metal crowns.

Non-metal porcelain crowns are ideal to improve the cosmetic appearance of front teeth, and for treating young people because of their natural, white-tooth look. Metal or palladium may be used without porcelain to create strong, hard and durable crowns. These types of crowns are usually placed on the rear teeth so they are less visible and secure healthy chewing function.

What is involved in preparing a tooth for a Crown?

Crowns replace part or whole teeth with damaged tooth structure. If the tooth is missing a crown may be used as a whole replacement tooth. The missing tooth gap and surrounding teeth are checked to ensure they are infection-free and clean, before the crown is fixed in place.

Where existing damaged tooth structure is still present, the outer tooth surface may be removed and the inner core tooth structure shaped. A dental impression is taken and the crown is custom-made to fit over the reshaped tooth. A temporary plastic crown is fitted until the final crown or cap is ready for fixture. Crowns may be fixed on either side of the jaw for healthy bite function.

How are Crowns made?

Once the dentist has assessed the treatment site to receive a crown and the dental impression is made, the dimensions are handed to a Dental Technician. They will make a precise model of the teeth and gums. Crowns are then custom-made in a laboratory to provide perfect fit as an artificial tooth replacement or restoration.

Are Crowns noticeable?

Crowns are not noticeable to others because they are designed to look just like normal teeth and are made to match the tooth-shade of surrounding teeth. Temporary plastic crowns may be noticeable, though they are soon replaced with discreet, permanent crowns.

If located at the front of the mouth crowns are usually made of porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal base. The metal base is not obvious to others. Metal or porcelain and metal bonded crowns may be placed at the rear of the mouth. In this position they are discreet and provide added strength for chewing.

Crown and bridge treatment varies in treatment time depending on what is involved, if one or more teeth are being replaced or if partial tooth structure requires restoration. Time is taken to prepare the treatment site, make a dental impression, obtain accurate measurements of size, shape and shade, and for placing the temporary crown – followed by the final crown being attached. In some cases two dental visits may suffice. However, more may be necessary depending on the level of care required. Our dentist will discuss the duration of treatment. Get in touch with us for further information about crown and bridge restorations.

Dental bridges are an artificial tooth replacement option for missing teeth of one or more. They are fixed to the existing tooth structure on either side or one side of the tooth gap. Dental crowns can be placed on each side of the tooth gap to anchor the dental bridge in place. Bridge teeth restorations may be made of porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth restorations that fill tooth gaps to replace missing teeth. When securely cemented to existing tooth structure or fixed to dental implants, bridges are a safe and effective tooth replacement.

This form of restorative treatment restores healthy structure and function. Dental bridges act to prevent bone loss or shrinkage and oral trauma resulting from missing teeth. They also preserve facial expression for a beautiful smile.