Crowns require some tooth preparation, or if very little tooth is remaining and the tooth has had root canal treatment then the root is prepared for a post or peg
. impressions are taken using a rubber-like material and sent to a laboratory along with the shade and then a technician makes the crown. A temporary crown is made by the dentist and fitted on the tooth with temporary cement after the impression has been taken. The new crown is ready about 2 weeks later and is fixed on permanently.
Bridges are used for replacing missing teeth, for people who don’t want a denture and usually only have one or two teeth missing. They are usually made by crowning the teeth on either side of the gap and joining the two crowns together by attaching a false tooth is the middle. They are fixed in the same way as crowns.
Another option is an adhesive bridge and this has a wing that bonded to the back of the supporting tooth with very little or sometimes no drilling involved.
The supporting tooth is roughened and the bridge is fitted using a very strong dental cement.
Crowns and bridges can be made from a variety of different materials such as metal alloy or porcelain bonded to metal alloy. New materials are continually being introduced which increase the choice of metal free
tooth coloured options that are strong and look very natural. There are new bridges made entirely from porcelain that are strong enough to be used for back teeth as well as the front.
Your dentist will explain different crown and bridge options, the
risks and benefits and alternatives, so that you make a fully informed decision.
