Crown & Bridge: Which Option Is Best For You?

Tooth loss can happen for a variety of reasons, but you need not resign yourself to living with a gap in your smile. At Elite Dental, we know that patients who are missing one or more teeth can benefit from dental crowns and bridges for a variety of reasons, including improved smile confidence, speech clarity, and restored chewing function.

What is a dental crown?

Made from materials that closely resemble the appearance of natural teeth (porcelain or ceramic are most commonly used), dental crowns cover a damaged tooth and strengthen it in the process. In crown and bridge treatment, crowns are placed on the teeth that surround the missing tooth and serve as an anchor for the prosthetic bridge, which fills the gap. Crowns are also placed on top of a dental implant, recreating the look of a natural tooth.

What is a dental bridge?

A prosthetic device that fills the space a missing tooth (or teeth) leaves behind, bridges also help prevent neighboring teeth from shifting or rotating, which can lead to problems with bite, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and gum disease.

The underlying substructure of a bridge is often made from metal or a ceramic material, with the prosthetic replacement often made from porcelain or ceramic materials. They are anchored to crown-topped natural teeth or dental implants on one or both sides of the gap.

How long will a crown & bridge typically last?

With careful and ongoing daily care, as well as bi-annual cleanings and exams with our skilled team, they can last for decades!

Interested in finding out if this treatment is right for you? Call us today!