Crowns vs Bridges: How Are They Different?

It’s great to have options when it comes to repairing damaged or missing teeth. In this post we describe two of them: crowns and bridges.

Teeth get damaged. Sometimes that damage comes about due to decay, other times due to injury or trauma. Either way, you probably want to fix the problem for a few reasons. Your smile is important for cosmetic reasons, but also missing or damaged teeth can lead to oral health issues as well.

Whether part of a full mouth reconstruction or repairing one tooth, Dr. Krystle Fenton and Dr. Benjamin Radlein and their team at Laguna Vista Dental have placed crowns and used dental bridges to correct problems for many patients.

Uses of crowns

A crown can be used to cover a tooth that has been damaged. It covers the entire tooth and supports and protects it. Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, such as porcelain, metal, resin, or ceramic.

When your dentist places a crown, they use cement to permanently attach it to your natural tooth. Once it’s in place, you brush, floss, and eat just as you do with your natural teeth.

A few of the situations when a crown is appropriate include:

When your natural tooth is in danger of breaking
When your natural tooth is cracked or broken
Along with a dental implant to replace a missing tooth
To cover a discolored tooth
To protect a tooth that requires a root canal temporarily

Uses of bridges

A bridge is a device to fill the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. Most of the time, a bridge consists of three parts — two crowns and a false tooth. The crowns go on the teeth on each side of the gap and support the false tooth.

In this way, the remaining teeth have extra support and any potential issues that missing a tooth can cause are averted. Bridges usually work well to:

Restore your smile
Make it possible to chew and speak easily and properly
Maintain your face shape
Evenly distribute the force of your bite
Keep your teeth in their correct positions

Porcelain and ceramic are excellent options for crowns and bridges because they are similar in color and shade to your natural teeth. Other options may be available depending on your needs.

If you’d like to learn more about the options available to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth, schedule an appointment at Laguna Vista Dental today. We’re happy to discuss your individual situation and provide advice based on your goals.