Dental crowns and bridges restore damaged or missing teeth. Whether you need to strengthen a weakened tooth, replace a missing one, or enhance your smile, crowns and bridges offer a suitable solution. These restorations come in varied materials and types. Each type of dental treatment offers distinct advantages based on your specific needs. Let’s explore the different kinds of dental crowns and bridges, their benefits, and the procedure involved in getting them.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that covers the tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are often used when a tooth is severely decayed, cracked, or weakened by a large filling. Crowns can be made from different materials, and the type varies based on factors like the tooth’s location, the patient’s preferences, and the severity of the damage.
Types of Dental Crowns
- Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic and popular for visible teeth, like the front teeth. They are customised to match the colour of the natural teeth, providing a seamless, natural look that can boost your confidence in your smile. While porcelain may not be as strong as other materials, it’s a great choice for teeth that don’t undergo heavy chewing forces.
- Metal Crowns
Made from durable metals like gold, palladium, or silver, metal crowns are known for their strength and longevity. They are ideal for back teeth that experience intense pressure from chewing. Although they are incredibly durable, their metallic appearance makes them less desirable for visible teeth.
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a ceramic material known for its strength and ability to withstand chewing forces. It is highly durable, biocompatible, and can be made to imitate the colour of natural teeth. Zirconia crowns are suitable for both front and back teeth, offering a balance of aesthetics and durability that can provide long-term benefits for your oral health.
- Resin Crowns
Composite resin crowns are more affordable but less durable than other materials. They are commonly used for temporary restorations or when cost is a significant concern. Resin crowns can be customised to match the tooth’s colour but may wear down or become stained over time.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge helps replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent healthy teeth or implants. Bridges are designed to restore the function and appearance of a missing tooth and can be made from similar materials as crowns, depending on the patient’s needs.
Types of Dental Bridges
- Traditional Bridges
Traditional bridges involve creating crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (called abutment teeth), with a pontic (artificial tooth) placed in the middle. These are the most common types of bridges and are typically used when the surrounding teeth are healthy and strong enough to support the bridge.
- Implant-Supported Bridges
These bridges use dental implants as anchors instead of natural teeth. When several adjacent teeth are missing, implant-supported bridges can provide a more permanent solution. This type of bridge offers outstanding durability and a more natural feel, as the implants are placed surgically into the jawbone to provide support.
Conclusion
Dental crowns and bridges offer practical solutions for restoring the function and appearance of damaged or missing teeth. Discuss the available options with the best dental clinic in Newtown will help you determine the best choice for your oral health.
