Learn about Crowns and Bridges

In most cases a simple filling can be used to repair small cavities, chips, fractures and other minor damage to your teeth. In other cases, such as when there is a large cavity, an old filling that has failed, or when the tooth has had root canal therapy, a filling might not be strong enough. In those cases, a crown or cap might be prescribed. A crown can be thought of as a hard, protective shell of metal or porcelain that completely covers all all of the damaged tooth structure. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.

Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an dental implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched well to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. Metal alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.

Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.