When the entire surface of a tooth is a problem, but the root system is intact, a dental crown might be just what the dentist orders. Dental bridges replace missing teeth by "bridging" the gap between two remaining teeth. At Bowmanville Dental, we have highly trained dentists who give each patient a comprehensive dental exam in order to give you the most appropriate treatment options. Below we explain the benefits of dental crowns as well as dental bridges.

Porcelain Crowns (Caps)

As we age, many of us find ourselves with teeth that are no longer structurally sound. Root canals, lost fillings, decay below a filling, chipping and cracking of the enamel are all things that can lead to large scale defects in a tooth's surface.

Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, cover damaged or discolored teeth. Crowns cover the entire tooth, starting at the gum line. They are usually made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of both.

Though crowns can be used to improve the appearance of a tooth, they are not primarily cosmetic devices. Dentists recommend crowns to protect or strengthen weakened teeth, or to restore a disfigured tooth to its original shape. "Capping" a tooth requires buffing away part of a tooth to make room for the crown, so dentists often discourage it as a cosmetic method unless the teeth are damaged.

Crowns strengthen teeth by binding the sides of the weakened tooth together, much the way a splint holds together a broken bone. Large fillings taking up over a third of the tooth may weaken that tooth over time; crowns are often used in cases where such weakened teeth threaten to break.

The "capping" procedure takes place under anesthetic. Because the crown is about two millimeters thick, the dentist first shaves this same amount off your existing tooth to avoid awkward-looking, oversized teeth. The dentist will also re-shape your tooth into a form upon which a cap can easily sit. He or she will then make a replica of your tooth. Usually, this replica will be a putty mold. This mold is then sent to a laboratory, where the crown will be made based on this mold. In the case of a porcelain crown, the dentist will choose a shade close to the color of the surrounding teeth. You will return about two weeks later to have the crown fitted and, once both you and your dentist are satisfied with the "look and feel" of the crown, cemented over your original tooth.

Reasons for crowns?

  •  Broken or fractured teeth.
  •  Cosmetic enhancement.
  •  Decayed teeth.
  •  Fractured fillings.
  •  Large fillings.
  •  Tooth has a root canal.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually require only two visits to your dentist. If you maintain good oral hygiene, your fixed bridge should last as many as ten years or more.

If you have missing teeth and have good oral hygiene practices, you should discuss this procedure with your cosmetic dentist. If spaces are left unfilled, they may cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position. Additionally, spaces from missing teeth can cause your other teeth and your gums to become far more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.

You and your dentist will discuss the different types of bridges to choose the best option for you:

Traditional bridges, also called fixed bridges-the dentist creates a pontic, or false, tooth with a dental crown on either side. The crowns are fitted over the remaining teeth to hold the false tooth in place.

Resin bonded bridges-the pontic tooth is fused to a metal band. The metal band, in turn, is bonded to the back of the remaining teeth with white resin cement.

To design a bridge, a dentist must first shrink, then reshape the teeth to make room for the crowns. He or she then makes a mold of the teeth. This mold is then sent off to a laboratory, where the actual crowns and bridge are made. With proper oral hygiene, bridges can last up to ten years. However, improper or infrequent brushing and flossing, irregular dental visits, and excessive sugar and starch intake can all bring untimely damage to the bridge.

Reasons for fixed bridges?

  •  Fill space of missing teeth.
  •  Maintain facial shape.
  •  Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
  •  Restore chewing and speaking ability.
  •  Restore your smile.
  •  Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.


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