Crowns & Bridges

What are dental crowns and tooth bridges?

Crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices, such as dentures, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.

A restorative hygienist usually completes the first crown or bridge appointment. The dentist will prepare the tooth and the restorative hygienist will take the impressions and colour shade to send to the lab.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene.

A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. See us regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings.

How do crowns work?

A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment.

A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.

A crown may be recommend to:

• replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
• protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• restore a fractured tooth
• attach a bridge
• cover a dental implant
• cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
• treatment is completed in 2 appointments approximately 2 weeks apart

How do bridges work?

A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth.

Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite.

The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Bridges span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.

These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments.

As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. We can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost.

Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.

Treatment is completed in 2 appointments, approximately 2 weeks apart.