Crowns
A crown is sometimes referred to as a “cap”. A dental crown fully covers the entire portion of the tooth from at or below the gum line. There are several reasons that crowns may be recommended, including when a tooth has a large restoration, a root canal, a crack or fracture, or is badly stained or shaped. Crowns can be made from several different materials including porcelain/ceramic, metal, or a combination of these. Both appearance and function are considered when selecting the right one for you.
To make a crown, tooth structure is carefully reduced, an impression and shade is taken, and a temporary crown is made. The impression is sent to a lab where the crown is precisely made to fit your tooth. A second appointment is made where the temporary crown is removed and your new crown is tried in to ensure the fit, contacts, bite and colour are ideal for you. Once this is confirmed the crown is then permanently cemented and adds strength and aesthetics to your tooth.
Bridges
A bridge is a restoration made in a similar way with the purpose of restoring one or more missing teeth. It is made of an artificial tooth or teeth that are fused between two crowns, and is permanently cemented in the mouth. There are several different kinds of bridges and we can help you decide if, and which one would be good option for you.