Dental Crowns And Bridges
While both of these dental care services address some of the same issues, they are not synonymous. We’ll explain the similarities as well as key differences to help you understand if, and when, you might need one of these procedures but not the other.
About Dental Crowns
A crown is a manufactured cap placed over your natural tooth when it’s been decayed or damaged too much for a simple filling to be sufficient. Crowns are made to look just like your natural teeth, so most people can’t tell that you have a crown!
The purpose of a crown is to restore the tooth’s shape, appearance, size, and function. It is cemented into place over your tooth above the gum line, and it serves to strengthen your existing tooth, which may have experienced significant decay, cracking, or other damage on the surface but is still healthy underneath your gums, where the roots are.
Here are some of the important things a dental crown can do for you:
- Cover a tooth that is misshapen, discolored, or worn down
- Support a tooth that has been significantly weakened by decay
- Restore a damaged tooth
Crowns can also be used for cosmetic dentistry purposes, to cover dental implants, or to anchor a dental bridge. Porcelain and ceramic are popular materials for dental crowns, but they can also be made from resin, stainless steel, or different metals. Before a permanent crown can be put into place, the tooth needs to be prepared by your dentist.
About Dental Bridges
Now that we’ve covered what crowns are, it’s time to explain dental bridges. A bridge is simply an effective way to fill in the gap created by a missing tooth, or by several missing teeth. The bridge is anchored at both ends by crowns, which we’ve discussed in some detail above. Each crown is adhered to your existing teeth.
The remainder of the bridge suspends one or more false teeth designed to fill in the gap left by missing teeth. These false teeth can also be referred to as crowns. The bridgework is custom-made to fit your mouth’s anatomy and create a natural-looking set of teeth that work well for you every bite you take! A great deal of engineering and design go into creating dental bridges that fit right and look fantastic.
Different types of bridges are available. They usually fall within the following categories: cantilever bridges, traditional bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Ask your dentist to explain which bridge type would work best for you.
Make Your Next Appointment With A Dentist In Salisbury
If you are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort with your teeth, make an appointment with Merritt Mill Dental Associates in Salisbury, Maryland. We offer our patients a full range of dental services, including dental fillings, root canal treatment, pediatric dentistry, and dental crowns and bridgework. Of course, we offer professional teeth cleanings, too.
If you’re looking for cosmetic services, we can help you with professional teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain veneers, and other procedures.
Give us a call today to make your next appointment!
