Crowns and Bridges

Bridges and Crowns

Tooth loss is a very common issue in America. Most people lose a single tooth or multiple teeth because of common reasons like trauma, infection or disease. While recovering from this problem was considered a difficult task a couple of decades ago, modern dental techniques offer easy and convenient ways through which you can regain your beautiful smile.

The most common and recommended method of getting back your teeth is using bridges and crowns.

What are bridges and who should opt for them?

A bridge is nothing but an artificial tooth designed specifically to fit between your teeth, in the space where there was a missing tooth. This device is custom created to fit your teeth and can be made from a variety of materials including ceramics and alloys.

A bridge is commonly coupled with a pair of crowns that act as anchors around it. These crowns are placed on what dentists call anchor teeth, which are shaped to house the crowns. A bridge is then cemented between these teeth.

Bridges are recommended for patients who are undergoing tooth extraction procedures or who have lost their teeth because of any of the previously mentioned reasons. In short, anyone who has a gap in their gum can get bridges to regain their smile.

What are crowns and what is their significance?

As the name suggests, a dental crown, also known as a dental cap, is a cover that secures the top of your damaged tooth. They are widely used as a solid replacement for damaged teeth. Just like bridges, crowns are also designed based on impressions of you natural teeth, so they are custom built to fit you perfectly.

Crowns are usually recommended for people who are getting bridges installed. They are also used when your tooth is heavily filled, cracked or broken, discoloured or if the filling has dissipated.

Depending on the patient’s requirements, budget and problem, crowns, just like bridges, can be made from a variety of materials. These include porcelain, ceramics, metals and even alloys.