Crowns and bridges are two restorations we use to build up, repair, and replace teeth that have been decayed or damaged.
Crowns can be made of a number of different materials including gold, stainless steel, or porcelain. Porcelain crowns are the most lifelike, and are often indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Bridges are made up of one or more artificial teeth that fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. The bridge is held in place by crowns or dental implants.
If you have damaged or missing teeth, please call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Liao to discuss your restoration options.
✱ Broken, decayed, or fractured teeth
✱ Large fillings or gaps between teeth
✱ Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
✱ Restore chewing and speaking ability
✱ The tooth has a root canal
A crown is a whole covering, commonly made of porcelain, metal or ceramic material, that replaces the enamel layer of the tooth. It is bonded on top of a healthy rooted tooth that needs strengthening and protection. A bridge is a device that uses two crowns to fill in a gap in the smile from a missing tooth. The crowns cover the two adjacent teeth, called abutments. The center of the bridge called a pontic, is a false tooth that is designed to fit in with the rest of your smile.
Is a dental bridge removable?
No. A dental bridge, unlike a denture, is permanently bonded to the two natural teeth on either side of the bridge.
What does “unit” mean when describing a dental bridge?
A unit refers to a single replacement tooth. A 3-unit dental bridge means a bridge that is made up of three replacement teeth.
Will anyone be able to tell that I have a crown or a bridge?
With the new materials available for creating crowns and bridges, it’s unlikely. Unlike crowns and bridges made from metal or ceramic-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic crowns and bridges look incredibly realistic and will blend in well with your natural teeth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Crowns?
Since a crown is only a superficial covering, the inner parts of the tooth have to be healthy to support it. A dentist must examine the inside of the tooth using X-rays to confirm that the tooth is healthy enough for a crown. Patients who have root canal therapy are also candidates for crowns.
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