What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?
Crowns or caps and bridges are fixed appliances. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges 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. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function.

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 discolored or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had Root Canal Treatment(RCT)

How do Bridges Work?
A bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite.

They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.

• Ceramic or porcelain — These are used for restoring front teeth, and can be easily matched to the natural tooth color. The crown is made of a porcelain-based material and offer excellent aesthetics to the used to replace front teeth.
• Porcelain-fused to metal – This crown provides a stronger bond to the tooth because it is connected to a metal structure underneath. It’s also extremely durable and used to replace the back teeth.
• Gold alloys – This crown is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. In addition to providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture, nor does it wear away the tooth itself.
• Base metal alloys – This crown is made up of non-noble metals that are highly resistant to corrosion, and make for a very strong crown. It also requires the least amount of healthy tooth to be removed prior to fitting.
• Zirconia crowns- are one of the most important and most recommended types of the crowns in the recent times. Individuals who want aesthetic artificial teeth for themselves prefer choosing zirconia crowns nowadays as it has the look of a ceramic crown and the strength comparable to metallic crowns.

Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth/teeth, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge.

If porcelain/zirconia is to be used, your dentist will determine the correct shade for the crown or bridge to match the color of your existing teeth.

How Long do Crowns and Bridges Last?
While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, 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.

A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Also see your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.