Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges

A crown is a cap placed over a tooth or a dental implant. It typically covers the entire tooth and is shaped to look like a natural tooth. A dental crown is used to strengthen a damaged or weakened tooth. At Englewood Dentistry, a dental bridge is a device used to replace a missing tooth. The device comprises one or more artificial teeth held in place by the teeth on each side. 

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is simply a covering for your tooth. Typically, we place crowns when a tooth is damaged due to trauma or decay. A crown will restore strength to the tooth and prevent further damage and infection of the teeth around it. When a tooth is fractured due to a fall or another accident, we can place a porcelain crown over the broken tooth to restore the function and appearance of the smile. A dental crown can also help to improve the appearance of discolored or damaged teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Crowns

A smile with teeth that are chipped or cracked can make you self-conscious about showing your smile to others. A porcelain crown on your tooth can restore its appearance and leave you with a tooth that looks as bright and healthy as the others. In addition to correcting cosmetic concerns, a crown can protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one already cracked. A cap over a tooth can also provide support and stability for a bridge or a dental implant. Your dentist may recommend a dental crown to improve the tooth's appearance and protect your overall dental health.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and bridges the gap where teeth are missing. It comprises two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth in between. The false tooth is called the pontic and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or ceramic. It is bonded to the crowns placed over the adjacent healthy teeth to hold the bridge.

The bridge is cemented to the supporting teeth and can only be removed by a dentist. 

The Benefits of Dental Bridges

A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by filling the gap left behind, both functionally and cosmetically. The prosthetic teeth are held in place by the natural teeth surrounding the gap, which are called the abutment teeth. This restoration is usually recommended for patients with healthy adjacent teeth that can support the artificial teeth. When placed correctly, bridges can be highly stable and durable. To ensure your bridge's longevity and oral health, you should maintain a proper oral hygiene routine at home and see your dentist for regular checkups.

Dental crowns and bridges are used for many of the same purposes, but each treatment has unique benefits. Ultimately, the best treatment option depends on your specific needs. Visit Englewood Dentistry at 334 Grand Ave, Englewood 07631, or call (201) 541-8111 for the best dental treatment.