Crowns and Bridges
When is a crown needed?
A dental crown or cap is a custom made restoration that is fitted over a tooth for protection or to improve its strength or appearance. Our dentists may recommend a crown for many reasons, including:
- Repairing a decayed tooth that's too badly damaged for a filling
- Covering a chipped, cracked or fractured tooth
- Protecting a worn down or weakened tooth
- Changing the size, shape or colour of a tooth in cosmetic dentistry
- Sealing a tooth after a root canal treatment
- Attaching a dental bridge
- Covering a dental implant
Alternatives to a crown may include a filling or veneers, depending on your situation. We'll make sure you know all of your options so you can decide what treatment is right for you.
When is a bridge needed?
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that 'bridges' the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. A bridge can replace a single tooth or several adjacent teeth.
Depending on its position in the mouth, a bridge may be attached to the neighbouring teeth on one or both sides. These surrounding teeth are normally fitted with crowns, but some types of bridges use clasps attached to the back of teeth.
Alternatives to a bridge may include partial dentures or a dental implant. We'll explain what each option involves so you can make a fully informed decision about the best way to replace your tooth.
How are crowns and bridges made?
If you're having a crown or bridge at Bracken Ridge Dental, our dentists will first prepare any teeth for crowns by removing some of the outer enamel. We'll then take impressions of your teeth that will be used to design your custom restorations out of porcelain or other materials.
We'll fit a temporary crown or bridge to maintain your smile while your custom crowns and bridges are being manufactured. When these are ready, we'll check that they fit or make any adjustments required before we cement them to your teeth.
If you're having a tooth extracted, we can fit a temporary bridge or denture to fill the gap while your gum is healing before creating your permanent bridge.