Crowns and Bridges: Permanent Dental Solutions

To aid in the appearance, function, and health of your mouth, your dental team can provide an array of treatments and solutions to help. Dental crowns and bridges are used to replace, protect, and restore your teeth when they need it most. But what is the difference between a crown and a bridge? And when are they necessary? We’re here with everything you need to know about dental crowns and bridges, to help you learn how your dental team can use these solutions to help maintain your oral health.

Crowns and Bridges: What Are They?
Dental crowns and bridges are artificial pieces of dental work that are used to cover, replace, or strengthen one or more teeth that have been damaged in a variety of ways. Crowns and bridges can work in conjunction with one another, provide the proper function to teeth that need it, improve the appearance of your smile, and prevent future oral complications.

Crowns
Dental crowns are caps or coverings that are placed over a damaged tooth to restore its function and appearance. These coverings are designed to match your personal smile and prevent future problems. Crowns are cemented into place using specialized materials and can be made from a variety of high-quality components such as ceramic, gold, zirconia, porcelain, stainless steel, or a mixture of these. Each type of material used comes with its own benefits and advantages, as well as differences in cost.

Crowns are typically used when one or a few teeth are damaged and need repair. After your dentist is finished removing any damaged tissue, a crown is permanently fixed to the remaining tissue of your tooth and mimics its natural appearance. It completely covers the portion of your tooth that is visible above the gum line.

Bridges
Dental bridges work just as the name suggests. This dental treatment bridges a gap that is made from one or more missing teeth. In most cases, bridges are made of multiple crowns that are used as anchoring teeth and a fake tooth/teeth in between those crowns. Dental bridges are designed to work as removable, partial dentures that are supported by your natural teeth, implants, or crowns. Bridges can be found and created in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are made from a variety of materials. Bridges are often used to prolong the life of healthy or treated teeth and maintain the shape and health of your teeth.

Why Crowns and Bridges Are Used in Dental Care
Crowns and bridges are typically used to cover, cap, or replace teeth that are in bad health. Crowns are most often used for treating one tooth at a time, while bridgework may be used as a treatment for replacing multiple teeth. Your dentist may recommend crown or bridge work as part of your treatment plan to accomplish the following:
  • Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth, as well as dental implants.
  • Cap a tooth following root canal treatment.
  • Prevent and protect a tooth from breaking or fracturing.
  • Restore a broken or fractured tooth.
  • Replace or cover large fillings or damage from decay, cavities, and more.
  • Bridge a gap made by one or more missing teeth.
  • Make cosmetic changes or adaptations
  • Getting Crowns and Bridges
The first step in receiving any dental treatment is a routine exam. Your dentist will examine your entire mouth, as well as take images or x-rays of your teeth. Should your dentist decide you need dental crowns or a bridge, a personalized treatment plan will be created by your dental team.

What to Expect During the Procedure

When it comes to getting a dental crown, your dentist must first determine the extent of damage to the affected tooth/teeth. Depending on the severity of the problem, your dentist may need to perform other procedures first, such as a root canal treatment. The whole process is typically done in 2 or 3 visits. When you are ready for the first steps of receiving your crown, here’s what you can expect:
  • Your dentist will administer anesthesia to the tooth and gum area.
  • The affected tooth is then filed down to make room for the crown. The amount of tissue and pulp removed is determined by the severity of your tooth’s decay. Your dentist may also use a special filling to build up the area around your tooth in cases where large areas of tissue are missing.
  • When the dentist is done reshaping the affected tooth, an impression is made of the tooth to create the permanent crown. These impressions are used to create your personalized crown.
  • Your dentist will place a temporary crown over the treated tooth while you wait for your permanent tooth to be ready. In a few weeks, you will come back to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed with a unique, cementing material.
If you require any dental bridge work, here’s what will happen:
  • Your dentist will administer anesthesia to the area and prepare the affected teeth by recontouring or reshaping.
  • Impressions are made of your teeth in order to create the necessary crowns and bridge work. Crowns, root canals, and other treatments are typically performed before bridges are created.
  • Your dentist will create a temporary bridge to wear while the permanent one is being created.
  • In a few weeks, when the permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will adjust and place the permanent bridge.
Recovery and Aftercare
It is normal to feel mild discomfort and pain for a few days following your crown or bridge treatment. While you are waiting for your permanent crowns or bridge, it is important to take extra precautions. Avoid eating foods that could harm the crown or bridge, minimize using that area to chew, and take extra care when brushing and flossing.

After receiving your permanent solution, you can most likely return to your daily activities with 1-2 days. Aside from mild discomfort, people experience minimal symptoms. It is important to always practice good oral hygiene habits to prolong the life of your dental work and oral health. With the proper care, crowns and bridges can last up to 15 years or more.

The Cost of Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges vary greatly in cost. There are many financial factors to take into consideration, like your dental insurance, benefits coverage, the severity of your treatment, type of materials used, the number of crowns needed, and more. On average, crowns can cost anywhere between $800-$3,000 per tooth, while bridges can cost anywhere between $700-$1,500 (per artificial tooth needed for the bridge).

At Rosy Dental, we offer a wide array of professional dental services and pride ourselves on our approach to total preventive care. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment and see how we can help you get the smile of your dreams!