Dental crowns and bridges are effective restorations your dentist can custom-design for your unique oral health needs and smile. However, these two restorations have different purposes.
What Are Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Dental crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic restorations. The dentist cements them onto existing teeth or dental implants, and if you need a replacement or repair, only the dentist can do this.
A dental crown covers a damaged, decayed or weak tooth to protect it and give it extra strength. We may also place a dental crown to improve alignment or the appearance of a misshapen or discoloured tooth. Your dentist may place a crown on top of a dental implant to provide a more functional structure and shape.
In contrast, a dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. Gaps left behind from tooth loss can eventually cause a bad bite or dental damage to the remaining teeth. This is because the remaining teeth can rotate or move into empty spaces. An imbalanced bite can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or gum disease.
What Can a Dental Crown or Bridge Fix?
Our dental team generally recommends bridges when a patient loses one or more teeth in a row. However, we may advise getting a dental crown to:
- Restore a fractured or cracked tooth
- Replace a large or previous filling
- Cover a dental implant
- Strengthen a tooth that received root canal therapy
Once the dentist performs a thorough oral health examination, we can determine which treatment option best suits your needs.
What Are the Advantages of Crowns and Bridges?
Any restoration you get helps promote and maintain good oral health. If you break a tooth or have deep tooth decay, a restoration protects your mouth from further damage, disease and infection. Dental restorations help you eat, chew, speak and socialise more comfortably and efficiently. Dental crowns are highly versatile as they can correct numerous issues, and a dental bridge is a practical, long-lasting option for tooth replacement.
Dental Crowns and Bridges in Garran
One restoration isn’t necessarily better than the other. Your dentist Dr Kropinak at Telopea Park Dental will develop a treatment plan to restore your smile and determine whether you need a crown or bridge. We invite you to contact our dental practice today to arrange your appointment.