Crowns and Bridges are fixed (you cannot remove them) prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants by a dentist.
Crowns
Crowns are most commonly used to cover or “cap” a damaged or cracked tooth or to cover an implant.
Crowns may be used to:
- Help prevent future tooth fractures by covering a weak tooth with a large filling
- Fix a tooth that has already fractured
- Cover a dental implant
- Cosmetically cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
Bridges
Bridges are commonly used to cover a space if you’re missing one or more teeth. They are cemented to natural teeth or implants surrounding the space where the tooth once stood. A bridge is one option for filling the space created by a missing tooth, enhancing both function and cosmetics.
Benefits of Crowns and Bridges
Bridges and crowns can strengthen damaged teeth and improve their appearance, shape, alignment, and dental occlusion (bite). The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloys, or all ceramic material made to match natural tooth color.
