Crowns and Bridges
A dental crown is custom-made to fit over a damaged natural tooth. It restores the function of the tooth and provides strength and support. Crowns are used to restore:
Severely decayed teeth
Teeth weakened by root canal treatment
Fractured or broken teeth
Broken fillings
Large, unattractive fillings
Dental bridges are supported by crowns and are used to replace missing teeth.
Crowns and bridges come in a variety of materials depending on the location of the tooth in the mouth, aesthetic needs and strength requirements. However all materials used are natural-looking, strong and durable.
What are dental crowns and bridges?
A dental crown is constructed across two appointments. At your first visit your dentist will prepare your natural tooth to receive the restoration and then take a scan of your mouth. The digital scanner replaces the need for traditional impressions which are messy, poorly tolerated, and occasionally inaccurate. The scan is sent to our dental lab and used to create your permanent restoration, which usually takes about two weeks. During this time you will have a temporary crown in place. At your second appointment your new crown is cemented permanently into the mouth.
Once cemented in place, the crown is fully functional as a normal tooth. With good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings, your new crown can be expected to last you many years.
Dental bridges are usually made as a single unit that is held in place by crowns on adjacent teeth, and are used to fill the empty space left by a missing tooth. These are a less invasive and time-consuming option to replace a tooth for patients who do not wish to undergo surgical placement of a dental implant.
