Restoration of tooth
Bridges & Crowns
If you have one or more missing teeth, your dental professional may recommend that you get artificial replacements. There are removable options like dentures that you can take out and clean, but those can slide around, shift, or fall out – which understandably won’t fly for many people. And that’s why there are crowns affixed to dental implants and bridges which function more like your actual teeth. But between Bridges & Crown Implants and , which option is the best choice for you?
We’ll break down the similarities, differences, advantages, and disadvantages between these two fixed artificial tooth options so that even if you have a fake tooth or two, you’ll have a smile that’s as real as can be.
Difference Between Dental
Bridges & Crowns
When it comes to tooth restoration, understanding the difference between dental bridges and crowns is essential.
Dental crowns are used to cap damaged teeth or placed on dental implants as a replacement for missing teeth.
Implants, surgically attached to the jawbone, provide reliable support through osseointegration. The healing process takes 6-12 weeks, followed by the placement of a metal post (abutment) on which the crown is mounted.
On the other hand, bridges are specifically designed for tooth replacement. They consist of two crowns on either end and a bridge of replacement teeth in the gap caused by tooth loss. The end crowns can either fuse to existing teeth (requiring filing down) or be attached to dental implants.
Both options are crucial for maintaining oral health. Gaps due to missing teeth can lead to teeth shifting and rotation, resulting in a misaligned bite. Moreover, missing teeth increase the risk of gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Consult your dental professional to determine the most suitable choice for your unique needs. Restoring your smile not only improves aesthetics but also ensures a healthy and functional mouth.
How Do I Know if I Need Orthodontic Treatment?
How do Crowns Work?
When a crown caps a damaged, weak, or decaying tooth, it’s generally to help maintain its size, strength, shape, and appearance. If you’re missing a tooth, a dental professional will give you a dental implant, on top of which they will place your crown. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that 3 million Americans have dental implants, and that number is growing by 500,000 every year.
Your crown will be made from one, or a mixture, of various materials. Gold alloy and other metal alloy options tend to be durable and cost-effective, but they won’t look much like your other teeth. Porcelain, acrylic, and ceramic crowns can more closely match your natural teeth. Acrylic and ceramic options are known to be durable. Porcelain is a bit more prone to chipping and damage, but porcelain bonded to a metal shell can increase its strength while maintaining its attractive tooth-like aesthetic.
How do Bridges Work?
Whereas crowns can repair damaged teeth, a bridge’s sole function is to replace one or more missing teeth. For a bridge, your dental professional will place caps on filed-down teeth or dental implants at the outer edges of your area of loss. Replacement teeth (called pontics) span the space between the caps where the teeth are missing.
Just like with dental crowns, you have a choice of materials available to you for your bridge. Your dental professional is in the best position to advise you in your material choice base on your individual needs. However, you’ll both want to consider and discuss multiple factors like the visibility of the tooth, the cost, the strength, and how it looks.
How Long do Crowns and Bridges Last?
Sometimes crowns and bridges can become loose or fall out from the damage caused by chewing hard foods, ice, or other hard objects. Dental disease that causes tooth or bone loss is another reason crowns or bridges may loosen over time.
By practicing good oral hygiene, however, crowns and bridges can last a lifetime. Brush at least twice a day, floss or clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or water flossers at least once a day, and consider using other helpful products like antimicrobial mouth rinses and tongue scrapers. Be sure to see your dental professional for regular cleanings – not only to keep your teeth pearly white and bacteria-free but also to check the health of your crown or your bridge. Whether you and your dentist decide on a crown or a bridge for your replacements, we hope your new teeth make you smile.
