Dental Crowns vs. Bridges: Which Restoration Option Is Right for You?

Knowing the distinctions between dental crowns and bridges regarding dental restorations will help you make an informed choice regarding oral health.

Both options are crucial in restoring teeth but are designed for different situations and conditions. Let’s delve into the details of each to see which option might be right for you.

Understanding Dental Crowns

What is a Dental Crown?

A restoration called a crown or cap is placed over a tooth to stabilise or restore a previous restoration.

This is done to rebuild the shape, size, strength, and contour of the tooth/teeth to their desired state.

Ceramic and porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination of ceramics, metals, and composite resin materials can fabricate crowns.

When are Dental Crowns Used?

In these circumstances, dental crowns are usually used:

• Protect a weakened tooth from fracture or when fragments of a fractured tooth need to be maintained in position.
• To replace an already damaged tooth or a tooth eroded due to untreated diseases.
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t much tooth left.
• To hold a dental bridge in place.
• To cover misshapen or severely discoloured teeth.
• To cover a dental implant.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

1. Durability: Crowns, especially those made of metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal, are highly durable and can last many years with proper care.
2. Aesthetic Appeal: For a seamless, natural-looking appearance, porcelain and ceramic crowns can be matched in colour to your original teeth.
3. Protection: Crowns offer excellent protection for damaged or decayed teeth, preventing further deterioration.
4. Functionality: They restore the normal function of teeth, allowing you to eat and speak comfortably.

Understanding Dental Bridges

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an appliance fixed in the mouth to substitute one or more missing teeth by extending across the space.

It includes two or more crowns for the teeth on each side of the gap, called the abutments, and one or more artificial teeth/teeth in between, known as the pontics.

These pontics can be made of gold, alloys, porcelain, or, in some cases, a combination of gold and porcelain.

Types of Dental Bridges

1. Traditional Bridges: The most traditional bridge entails producing a crown around the tooth or implant on either side of the gap and a pontic in the middle.
2. Cantilever Bridges: Applied when two neighbouring teeth are present on only one side of the edentulous space.
3. Maryland Bonded Bridges: A resin-bonded bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework to bond the false tooth to the abutment teeth.
4. Implant-Supported Bridges: These are not crowns or frameworks but are implanted within the mouth.

When are Dental Bridges Used?

Dental bridges are ideal in the following scenarios:

• To replace one or more missing teeth.
• To repair your speech, chewing, and smiling abilities.
• To maintain the shape of your face.
• To stop the remaining teeth from moving around.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

1. Restoration of Functionality: Bridges restore your ability to chew and speak appropriately by filling in the gaps caused by missing teeth.
2. Aesthetic Improvement: They help restore your smile and maintain the shape of your face.
3. Preventing Tooth Movement: Bridges stop the remaining teeth from moving out of position by filling in the gaps.
4. Durability: With proper care, bridges can last many years, though they might be shorter than implants.

Dental Crowns vs. Bridges: Key Differences

Purpose:

• Crowns are primarily used to cover and protect damaged teeth.
• Bridges are designed to replace one or more lost teeth.

Structure:

• Crowns cover an existing tooth or implant.
• Bridges comprise two or more crowns on either side of the gap, with a prosthetic tooth or teeth in the middle.

Application:

• Crowns are applied to individual teeth or implants.
• Bridges, supported by either natural teeth or implants, fill the space left by missing teeth.

Material:

• Both can be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal or a combination of these materials. The tooth’s position, patient preferences, and financial constraints influence the material selection.

Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider

Condition of Existing Teeth

1. A crown is likely the best option for protecting or restoring a damaged or decayed tooth.
2. A bridge might be better if you miss one or more teeth and want to fill the gap.

Oral Health

1. Good oral hygiene is crucial for both crowns and bridges. Periodontal disease or other dental health issues should be treated before a crown or bridge is placed.

Durability and Longevity

1. Crowns are often sturdy and can survive longer than bridges, especially if properly maintained.
2. Bridges must be replaced or adjusted over time, especially if the abutment teeth are not strong enough.

Cost

1. Crown and bridge costs vary significantly depending on the material and degree of complexity involved. Bridges are typically more expensive than crowns because they involve multiple teeth.

Aesthetic Considerations

1. The colour of your bridge or crown can be customised to resemble that of your natural teeth. Still, if you are particularly concerned about aesthetics, you might prefer a porcelain or ceramic option.

Comfort and Functionality

1. Consider how each option will feel in your mouth and affect your ability to eat and speak. Crowns are less likely to affect adjacent teeth compared to bridges.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Dental Crown Procedure

1. Consultation and Examination: Your Canley Heights dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your options. X-rays may be taken to assess the tooth’s and surrounding bone’s health.
2. Tooth Preparation: To accommodate the crown, the tooth that will get it is altered. If a large area of the tooth is missing, a filling material may be used to build up the tooth.
3. Impression: An impression of the reshaped tooth and surrounding teeth is taken to create the crown.
4. Temporary Crown: It is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
5. Permanent Crown Placement: As soon as the permanent crown is prepared, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent one is glued in place.

Dental Bridge Procedure

1. Consultation and Examination: As in the crown procedure, the dentist will check your teeth and explain the action plan.
2. Teeth Preparation: The dental abutment is built up with resin, and some enamel is removed to make room for the crowns.
3. Impression: A mould is made of your teeth to create a bridge.
4. Temporary Bridge: A temporary prosthesis covers the exposed teeth and gums while the permanent prosthesis is installed.
5. Permanent Bridge Placement: When the permanent bridge is constructed, the temporary one is washed away, and then the permanent bridge is anchored down with cement.

Aftercare and Maintenance

The longevity of dental bridges and crowns depends on proper upkeep and treatment.

Tips for Maintaining Crowns and Bridges

1. Make sure you practise good oral hygiene by flossing and cleaning your teeth at least two times a day. Pay special attention to cleaning around the crown or bridge.
2. Avoid Hard Foods: Chewing ice, candies, and other hard foods can damage crowns and bridges.
3. Regular Dental Check-ups: See your Canley Heights dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings by professionals.
4. Use a Night Guard: If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard might help shield your bridges and crowns from injury.
5. Avoid Using Teeth as Tools: Avoid damaging your teeth when opening bottles or packages with your teeth.

Choosing between dental crowns and bridges depends on several factors, including the state of your teeth, oral health, durability, cost, and personal preferences. Both options offer significant benefits and can help restore your smile and functionality. Consulting with your dentist is the best way to determine which option is right based on your needs and circumstances.

Dental Crowns and Bridges in Canley Heights

Are you prepared to enhance your oral health and recover your teeth?

Make an appointment with our knowledgeable staff right away!

At Canley Heights Dental Care, we prioritise treating our patients with the same care and attention we would give our families.

Call us on 02) 9199 9678 or book your appointment online.

Visit at 1/229 Canley Vale Road in Canley Heights.