Crowns and Bridges

How do Crowns and Bridges Work

A crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Crowns strengthen damaged teeth, allowing them to function normally again. When crafted from today’s high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics), crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They can even be designed to improve upon a tooth’s original appearance.

Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to shift resulting in a bad bite. This can also lead to gum disease and TMJ disorders. Bridges and crowns help prevent this from happening.

Bridges are commonly used if you’re missing one or more teeth. They cover the space where the teeth are missing and are cemented to natural teeth or implants surrounding the space.

Dental bridge of 3 teeth over molar and premolar. Medically accurate 3D illustration of human teeth treatment

Crowning or Capping a Tooth

Crowning or capping a tooth will usually take two to three visits. At the first visit, we will prepare your tooth to receive its new crown.This will involve some drilling to give the tooth a uniform shape.

After the tooth is prepared, we will take impressions of your teeth, either digitally or with reliable, putty-like impression materials, and send them to the dental laboratory

Before you leave the office, we will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be attached to your tooth with a permanent cement.

There is a choice of materials available for crowns and bridges :

1. All metal
2. Metal with overlaid ceramic (porcelain fused to metal)
3. Metal free (All cermaic) crowns

Crowns and bridges are made using the latest CAD/CAM (Computerized) technology from the best materials of world-class quality like Zirconia, E Max, Lava, Bruxzir, Tilite, Ultra T and Porcelain fused to metal (PFM).

The cost of dental crowns depends on the expertise of the specialist, material used, condition and location of the tooth that will receive the crown. In addition to these factors the cost of dental bridges is influenced by the number of teeth being replaced. Since the crown and bridge treatment is customized for every patient, it is not possible to quote their exact price.

Crown and bridge care

Once your crown or bridge is fitted, it’s important to maintain a regular and effective routine of oral hygiene. Brush and floss two times a day, taking extra care to floss around your crown. Avoid sticky foods and do not use your teeth inappropriately – chewing pens, crunching ice, gnawing fingernails, etc.

How long will a bridge or crown last?

How long your crown and bridge lasts depends on the effectiveness and regularity of your dental hygiene routine. As a general rule, they last between 7-15 years but longer periods are certainly possible with outstanding oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.