Crown or Bridge. Crowns are dental restorations that cover the entire tooth or dental implants. Crown is essential to protect teeth that have been damaged by significant decay, cavities, fractures, or even after root canal treatment. Crowns can be made from various materials such as ceramic, zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and gold.

How Crowns or Bridges are Made?

First, the damaged tooth structure is removed to provide enough space for the porcelain. Then, an impression of the prepared tooth is taken, which our dental laboratory technicians use to construct your crown during the fabrication stage. A temporary crown made of acrylic is then created to protect your tooth. The final crown is shaped to look natural, matching your adjacent teeth. It is then cemented onto your tooth with a special adhesive. Our cosmetic goal is to achieve a crown that appears to emerge from the gum line.

Is it Better to Have a Bridge or an Implant?

A bridge requires at least two healthy teeth to be anchored, and sometimes the removal of the nerve to replace missing teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, replace the missing tooth without sacrificing the health of adjacent teeth. The advantage of dental implants is that they preserve the bone they are placed in. With a bridge, some of the bone used to support the tooth will begin to resorb and deteriorate. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone, helping to maintain bone health and integrity. A single implant can be more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge.

Different Types of Crowns

There are two main types of crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, and all-ceramic crowns.

PFM crowns are made of a metal inner core covered by a layer of ceramic. Although we use metal underneath the ceramic, we can still match the color of your adjacent teeth and make them look like natural teeth. However, if the gum recedes, which is very common, the metal underneath the crown may show and leave a dark line on the gum. These crowns are primarily a good option for back teeth. All-ceramic crowns or porcelain crowns are used today to provide our patients with the best aesthetic and natural color compared to any other type of crown. They are also referred to for those who have metal allergies. Metal-free crowns are an excellent choice for both front and back teeth.

A new type of material called “zirconia” is used to build metal-free crowns or bridges, developed in recent years to increase the strength of all-ceramic crowns. It is stronger than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and nearly unbreakable. It is also recommended for people with grinding issues. The most significant advantage of zirconia crowns is their versatility in use for both back and front teeth.