Cracks, root canals treatment, lost fillings and other trauma can permanently damage a tooth's structure. When the surface of the tooth is a problem but the root is healthy, covering the tooth with a dental crown may be the answer.

What is a Crown?

Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cup over the portion of a tooth which lies above the gums. Since dental crowns encase the entire visible aspect of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth's new outer surface.

While a dental filling can be used to restore a tooth's shape, dental crowns offer a big advantage because of the fact that they are fabricated "away from your mouth." This allows for direct visualization of all aspects of your bite and jaw movements, from a variety of angles, and offers an option of improving the original shape of the tooth while at the same time adding strength and stability.

Crowns are made of natural looking porcelain and are made to improve your overall smile or to blend in with your own teeth. Sometimes an underlying metal shell is used under the porcelain if additional strength is needed. Dental crowns are often referred to as "dental caps" or "tooth caps."

Can dental crowns be used to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth?

Since dental crowns are made to fit over teeth, they can be used as a way to idealize the cosmetic appearance. However, getting your teeth "capped" only to improve their appearance can at times be a very poor choice. Dental crowns are best utilized as a way to improve the esthetics of a tooth when the crown simultaneously serves other purposes, such as restoring a tooth to its original shape (repairing a broken tooth) or strengthening a tooth (covering over a tooth which has an excessively large filling).

If a more conservative dental procedure could equally well improve the tooth's appearance, such as a porcelain veneer, dental bonding, or even just teeth whitening, then it is usually best to consider that treatment option first. Please check our Cosmetic Dentistry link for information about these procedures.

What is a Bridge?

When a tooth has been lost but there are still teeth on either side of the resulting space, replacement teeth can be attached to two crowns constructed for the 2 teeth on either side of the open space. This is called a bridge because it bridges the open space. The teeth on each end of the space are used as anchors (abutments). Bridges are cemented onto prepared teeth and become permanent part of your mouth. As with other types of crowns (caps), a bridge can be made of metal, porcelain, or a combination of these two.

Is Dental Bridge for me?

A Dental Bridge is a great way to replace missing teeth. It replaces chewing surface that was lost when the tooth was removed. It looks and feels like your own teeth. It keeps your permanent teeth functioning and in their correct position. In areas where the teeth have significant loss of tooth structure due to caries, existing fillings or root canals, a dental bridge may be a functional and cost-effective solution.

What are the disadvantages?

A major shortcoming of dental bridge is required reduction of the surface of the supporting teeth. In cases where teeth considered for bridge abutments are healthy, elective reduction of these teeth should be considered very carefully.

Another concern is the gums and the underlying bone in the area of the missing tooth. As the time goes by the bone continues to shrink under the false tooth of your bridge. This allows for food to be caught underneath the span of your bridge.

The longevity of any dental restoration is affected by bacterial challenge, chewing forces and oral hygiene. On average, a dental bridge is expected to last over 10 years before it needs replacement.

Bridges require your commitment to serious oral hygiene. Since it is not possible to floss between the replacement tooth and the attaching crowns (it is made as a solid piece), it is necessary to use a special type of floss to go under the replacement tooth and keep this area of gum tissue healthy.