Crowns
Crowns are necessary in those cases when a tooth is so severe damaged that it can’t be restored with a filling. Crowns could be nessessery, if there is already a very big filling on the tooth and it is at risk of cracking or breaking.
Dentist place and cement crowns over the teeth and they can’t be removed. Crowns restore the form, shape and color of the tooth, as well as its normal function.
Bridges
Bridges are necessary when there is one or more than one missing teeth and the free space of the damage is surrounded by stable teeth. The bridges are also placed and cemented over the teeth and they can’t be removed. They have the same function as crowns.
Q&A
Why do we need crowns or bridges?
Dentists use crowns to restore and to strengthen a damaged tooth, which is endangered of cracking or breaking. Crowns help to avoid a further destruction. They improve also esthetics and chewing functions.
A bridge is a construction that has the same function as the crown. The only difference is that it consists of at least two or more than two crowns. It restores a bigger damage, when there is more than one tooth missing. Both crowns and bridges are fixed to the teet. They don’t need to be taken out of the mouth at night like the dentures.
What is the difference between a dental crown and a bridge?
Dental crown
It is a tooth-shaped “cap” which is placed over a single damaged tooth. It restores its anatomical shape, function and esthetics. The crown can be temporary and permanent.
Dental bridge
It is a construction which contains several crowns, attached to each other. A dental bridge has the same function as the dental crown. It is used in such cases when you have a missing tooth, or more than just one. The dental bridge can also be temporary and permanent.
What kind of crowns and bridges do we have?
Temporary/permanent
We have a temporary and a permanent kind of crowns and bridges.
Thee temporary ones are used to restore a damaged tooth or teeth in the front area of the mouth until the permanent ones are ready. There could appear some sensitivity by the preparation for the crown or bridge and in that case this construction is used as a precaution against the unpleasant feeling.
The temporary construction is used until the permanent is ready to be cemented in the mouth of the patient.
Material depending
According to the material of which the crowns and bridges are made of, we have – plastic, metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or all ceramic
How long does it take to make a crown or a bridge?
It usually takes between 10 and 14 days to make a crown or a bridge. It depends on what kind of material is used. Sometimes it could take a little bit longer if the patient wants a ceramic construction.
In some cases the doctor first has to make a temporary crown or bridge and make sure the patient will get used to the future construction. That could delay the process.
Will I be able to get used to the crown or bridge?
Yes you will. The crown or bridge is shaped exactly by the anatomical form of the tooth or teeth.
The construction will pass perfect, it will be cemented, it will stand still and you don’t have to take it out of your mouth compared to the dentures, which have to be removed from the patient’s mouth