Crowns & Bridges

If you have one or more missing teeth, worry no more. Let us first explain to you the difference between a crown and a bridge. A dental crown or cap as we call it in layman terms is made up of metal or an all ceramic material to protect a damaged tooth structure or on top of a implant. It covers and protects the tooth from further damage whereas a bridge is a prosthesis again made up of metal or all ceramic material to replace missing tooth or teeth. The crown helps us maintain the size, strength, shape and appearance of the natural tooth. Crowns can be made up of different materials the most popular being zirconia or all ceramic though we can also choose to use metal and other alloys as per case selection.

A bridge can be used to replace missing tooth or teeth when dentures are unstable, uncomfortable or aesthetically displeasing. The bridge takes support from the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth area and these teeth are called the abutment teeth. They have the advantage that the patient gets fixed teeth in a very short period of time. Once a bridge is cemented into position it looks and works just like natural teeth. If teeth are not replaced and the gaps exist then there can be rotating or shifting of other teeth resulting in a bad bite and gum problems and sometimes even temperomandibular joint issues.