A dental crown can alter the size, shape, colour and appearance of the teeth to completely change the way you look and feel, giving an enormous boost in your confidence. It is a tooth shaped custom made cap that is placed over the tooth requiring protection or cosmetic enhancement.
A dental bridge is commonly used to cover a space if you are missing one or more teeth. Both crowns and bridges are cemented on to natural teeth or implants.
Crowns and bridges are recommended:
- When restoring a fractured tooth or a tooth that has been severely broken down.
- Conceal a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover and support a tooth when there’s a large filling and there isn’t enough tooth remaining.
- Coat a tooth that is root canal treated.
- Layer a dental implant.
- Make a cosmetic modification
From restoring a badly broken tooth to enhancing the cosmetic appearance of a tooth, dental crowns and bridges are treatment options to protect your teeth and help create a beautiful smile.
Each type of crown has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, each of which must be weighed and evaluated in light of the patient’s specific situation.
- No one kind universally makes the best choice for all circumstances.
- Some types are better suited for certain kinds of teeth than others.
Types of Crowns:
Metal Crowns: These restorations are made using gold or “white” (silver-coloured) dental alloy .They withstand biting and chewing forces well and are the strongest in terms of wear down. However, they are most appropriate for back teeth because of their characteristic metal colour.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns: These look most like normal teeth as they have white porcelain on the outside for aesthetics. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth as well as long bridges where metal is needed for strength.
All Porcelain crowns – These are not as strong as metal or porcelain fused to metal crowns but they provide excellent aesthetics as they are made from ceramic or tooth coloured material making them ideal for front teeth.
Resin crowns – are a more cost effective option than other crowns , however they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures.
