Dental crowns and bridges are no less than a boon for those facing tooth decay, missing teeth, or broken teeth. Whether used separately or together, both solutions aim to restore the functionality and appearance of your teeth.
Irrespective of why you need dental crowns and bridges, it’s essential to understand their types, uses, and proper care. This brief guide will help you understand the different types of crowns and bridges while also allowing you to understand how to take care of them so that they last longer.
Who needs dental crowns and bridges?
If you are experiencing one or more of the following, you may need crowns to fix your dental health and appearance.
- If you have a cracked tooth without any other associated symptoms.
- If you are sensitive to bite pressure or temperature (especially cold).
- If you have deep tooth decay, the dentist will remove the decay, fill the cavity, and use the crown as a structure to support the filling.
- If you have had or need a root canal treatment.
- If you have a large silver filling (amalgam filling) that is breaking down.
As for the bridge, you may need one in the following conditions.
- If you are missing one or more teeth.
- If you are using a removable denture but want a permanent solution instead.
While your dentist may use dental crowns alone in case of a chipped or broken tooth, they’ll always use crowns on the teeth next to the missing tooth for installing bridges.
Types of dental crowns
A dental crown restores a broken, decayed, worn-out, or weak tooth. A dental crown can also act as a cover for dental implants or after root canal treatment. Depending on the crown’s material, a crown can last up to 15 years. Here are some common types of dental crowns.
- Metal crowns: Many dental technicians prefer to create dental crowns using metals like palladium, gold, nickel, or chromium. With a metal crown, you have a reduced risk of breaking or chipping. Moreover, they can last for several years and withstand chewing and biting forces.
- PFM or porcelain fused to metal crowns: With porcelain fused to metal crowns, you get the natural look of porcelain and the durability of metal. Moreover, these customizable crowns can even match the natural shade of your tooth. However, they are prone to chipping and can also wear down the natural enamel of the opposing tooth.
- Pressed ceramic crowns: A pressed ceramic crown has a hard ceramic core with multiple layers of porcelain, which can match the natural tooth enamel’s translucency. Similar to PFM crowns, pressed ceramic crowns can also chip over time.
- Porcelain or all-ceramic crowns: Porcelain or all-ceramic crowns can resemble the appearance of your natural tooth enamel most closely. Plus, they can also save you from metal allergies. While technicians can use different materials for making a porcelain crown, zirconia is the most popular of them all.
- All resin crowns: Dentists use all-resin crowns as temporary crowns as they are fragile and can break easily as compared to other types of crowns. However, they’re an excellent choice for those seeking a less expensive option.
Types of dental bridges
There are four main types of dental bridges.
- Traditional dental bridge: The most common type of dental bridge that has crowns on both ends with artificial teeth (pontics) in between. The crowns are fixed on abutments (your natural teeth).
- Cantilever dental bridge: This is similar to a traditional dental bridge except that it only has a single crown on one end with the artificial tooth hanging or extending over the gap on a cantilever bridge.
- Maryland dental bridge: Instead of crowns, this uses metal wings to bind the resin-bonded bridge to the back of neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. They are commonly used with front teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: This is similar to a traditional bridge, but it rests on top of a dental implant that is fully fused with your jawbone. It is a lengthy process and suitable when you have three or more missing teeth in a single row,
How to take care of dental crowns and bridges
Taking care of dental crowns and bridges can extend their life and save you a lot of money in the long run. Here’s how you can do it.
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss them daily to remove plaque and food residues.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash to remove bacteria
- Avoid chewy and sticky foods
- Visit your dentist at least every six months
- Polish your crowns with a mild polishing agent or baking soda
Wear a mouthguard while playing sports