Crowns and bridges are fixed dental restorations that do not require any special care aside from regular brushing and flossing. A crown or bridge lasts for many years or even a lifetime. The dental crown completely covers the tooth, while the dental bridge fills in a gap left by one or more missing teeth. At Freeman Dental, crowns and bridges are made from a variety of materials, including metal, porcelain, and ceramic.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap-shaped restoration that is placed over an existing tooth. It is meant to completely cover the visible portion of the tooth, restoring its strength and appearance. In addition to repairing broken or decayed teeth, crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes. A dental crown may be recommended if your tooth is severely decayed, cracked, chipped, or worn down.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge is anchored in place by crowns placed on the two teeth adjacent to the gap.
Typically, a dental bridge is the treatment of choice for replacing missing teeth. When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth may shift out of place, making it difficult to bite and chew properly. A dental bridge restores proper dental function, allowing you to eat and speak clearly and comfortably.
Signs You Need a Crown or a Bridge
Large Fillings
Large fillings may lead to tooth damage over time. Crowns are a common treatment option for these situations. When a tooth has a large filling, it is prone to fracturing. The filling is heavy and puts too much pressure on the tooth. The tooth may break, chip, or even split. This weakens the structure of the tooth. A crown is placed over the tooth to restore it to its natural strength.
Tooth Wear and Damage
After teeth are damaged, they may develop wear patterns that make them more susceptible to further damage. If teeth become worn or damaged, they should be restored with dental crowns and bridges to prevent tooth loss.
Infected Tooth
When you have a tooth infection, it can spread to the supporting bone and gum tissues, as well as the adjacent teeth. Root canal therapy is usually the go-to treatment for tooth infections. After a root canal, a crown is used to restore the tooth’s shape and strength and prevent it from further damage.
Missing Teeth
When you have missing teeth, your other teeth may begin to shift and your bite may be affected. This can impact your ability to chew and eat properly and change the jaw’s alignment.
To prevent this, you can choose crown and bridge treatment. A crown will cover and complete your dental implant to replace the missing tooth, while a bridge will use two crowns to anchor false teeth and close the gap.
To learn more about the benefits of dental crowns and bridges, contact Freeman Dental at (270) 247-1966 for our Mayfield office.
