Bridges and Crowns

There is a multitude of reasons that a person may be unhappy with their smile. However, the most common reasons are associated with tooth loss or issues with size, shape, or strength of your teeth. Not only can these issues cause discomfort and ongoing dental problems, but they can also diminish a person’s appearance. Being unhappy with your smile can certainly have an impact on your self-esteem and impact the rest of your life.

Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a variety of potential solutions if you want to restore your smile. Bridges and crowns happen to be two of the most performed procedures. Not only can they restore your smile, but they can also help keep the rest of your mouth healthy and functioning properly. It’s important for patients to understand what these options are and how they can help.

Bridges

Dental bridges work to bridge the gap created by a missing tooth or teeth. Two or more crowns work as “anchor teeth” for the bridge and successfully support it, so it remains in place. Not only can bridges restore the appearance of your teeth, but they may also be a solution if you struggle with chewing properly, but may help maintain the shape of your face. Bridges can also make sure that surrounding teeth don’t start to drift or shift out of place. In short, bridges can remedy existing issues and help you avoid costly dental procedures in the future.

Crowns

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that can be fixed directly on the problem tooth. It can be used to protect a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, support a tooth that has a large filling, or to hold a dental bridge in place. Additionally, it may be a potential solution for less serious issues such as tooth discoloration or to simply restore the shape or size of an existing tooth. Crowns are cemented in place, so they aren’t removable like dentures. Many people prefer this option because dentists can customize the shape and color of the crown so that it matches the rest of your teeth.

Which Option is Right for You?

Choosing between bridges and crowns will largely come down to your goals and your dentist’s opinion of existing teeth. For example, if you elect crowns, then the tooth that is capped should be strong and healthy enough to support it. Bridges are designed more for repairing gaps in teeth rather than trying to repair or save existing teeth. However, crowns are usually part of the process if you elect a bridge. Your dentist will be able to walk you through which options are the best for you and what your expected outcome may be.

The longevity of Bridges and Crowns

The materials used for crowns and bridges are durable and long-lasting. People can live their entire life without replacing broken crowns or bridges. However, it is not uncommon to replace them, either. A lot of the longevity of bridges and crowns will come down to how well you care for them. You’ll want to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular dental exams. It is incredibly important to replace broken or damaged bridges and crowns as soon as possible. Failure to do so could lead to extensive damage.

Overview

Bridges and Crows are both common dental procedures. They each have their own benefits and can remedy a variety of issues. If you would like to learn more about these dental procedures, please reach out to us. Our knowledgeable staff is more than happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. Everybody deserves a smile that they can be proud of—let us help you!