Dental crowns and bridges are common restorative dentistry treatments available today. A dental crown is placed over a tooth to improve its appearance, strength, or shape. On the other hand, a dental bridge is an artificial tooth (or teeth) anchored in place using neighboring natural teeth as support. Both procedures have unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding them can help you decide which option may be right for you.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-like caps that are custom-made to fit over an existing tooth, restoring strength, size, and shape. They provide extra support for weakened teeth or improve their aesthetic appearance. They can be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of the materials to match your natural teeth color best.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
Pros
- They cover and conceal a severely discolored tooth.
- They cap a damaged, cracked, broken, chipped, or misshapen tooth to look natural.
- They protect a weakened tooth from further damage.
- They cover dental implants.
- They are durable and can last up to 15 years or more with proper care.
Cons
- They can be expensive.
- They require 2 to 3 dental visits for the entire process.
- They may cause discomfort while they adjust to your mouth.
- They require removing a portion of your healthy, natural teeth for the crown to fit.
- They may be durable but also prone to breakage without proper care, like when playing contact sports. This may require emergency dental care for repair or replacement. Visit Hello Family Dental dentists in Suwanee to learn more about dental emergencies.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are artificial teeth that replace missing or extracted teeth by using existing natural teeth as anchors for support. The bridge is made up of two crowns placed on each side of the gap, and a false tooth or teeth are placed between them. Dental bridges can be from porcelain, ceramic, gold alloys, or a combination of these materials to match the existing natural teeth.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges?
Pros
- They restore chewing function.
- They help maintain a natural face shape by taking up space left behind by missing teeth.
- They secure false teeth in place, which increases stability while speaking and eating.
- They are less expensive than dental implants.
- They’re not as invasive as dental crowns.
- They can be combined with orthodontic treatments like clear braces for addressing misaligned teeth. See here about how it works.
Cons
- They can put too much pressure on nearby teeth and weaken them.
- If not properly cared for, bacteria can build up around the gums, causing periodontal disease.
- Bridges may need replacing or adjusting over time due to wear and tear.
- They can also be expensive.
What Are the Differences Between Dental Crowns and Bridges?
The main difference between dental crowns and bridges is that a crown fits over an existing tooth, while a bridge uses neighboring teeth as anchors for support. Dental Crowns are also more expensive but last longer due to their durability.
When it comes to maintenance, bridges require more care throughout their lifespan since they can wear down or become loose. Additionally, dental crowns are preferred when a tooth has sustained severe or decayed damage, while bridges are typically used to fill spaces left by missing teeth.
Ultimately, your dentist can recommend which treatment best suits you based on your needs. Visit https://hellofamilydental.com/crowns-bridges/ to learn more about dental bridges and crowns.
