Services
Crowns and Bridges
Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices which are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dentist.
How Do Crowns Work?
A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth and which acts to strengthen the tooth as well as improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can be porcelain or ceramic and may be placed on top of an implant to give a natural tooth-like colour and shape and for structure and function. Alternative materials include gold and metal alloys, and acrylic.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
How Do Bridges Work?
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth, spanning the gap where the teeth are missing. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite which can also lead to gum disease and joint disorders.
Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges and your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.
How long do Crowns and Bridges last?
Crowns and bridges can last between 10-15 years, but they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene as a bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease.
To prevent damage to a new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects.
