What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns, also called caps, are a tooth shaped covering that surrounds and seals the underlying tooth. They are used when a tooth is weak and likely to break. Weak teeth typically have very large fillings that exceed the natural tooth structure, as well as teeth that have had root canal therapy. Think of a dental crown as a customized hard hat for the tooth that protects the tooth underneath!
Dental crowns have many applications. They can be installed over a damaged tooth to cap the existing tooth structure, which fixes the broken tooth so it can be used normally. Crowns can also be attached to dental implants to replace missing teeth. These implants will be surgically placed into the jawbone and serve as the root for the tooth. This procedure keeps the crown steady and secure.
Additionally, to provide support for dental bridges, sometimes dental crowns are necessary. Bridges do not require any surgical treatment. They can be flossed and brushed as normal.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is an option to replace missing teeth where the gap is connected with crowns. Dental bridges are commonly used when a patient has lost one or more teeth in order to regain chewing power when teeth are lost. Dental bridges can be secured using abutment crowns on adjacent teeth or by using permanently installed precision metal mechanisms. These mechanics are generally made out of titanium, stainless steel, or gold and are fused to the jaw.