Porcelain dental crowns, also known as “caps”, are coverings placed over a tooth to provide restored structural and aesthetic support to teeth that are heavily decayed, damaged, or broken down. Porcelain dental crowns can be used in a variety of situations including:
- to protect a weak tooth
- to restore a tooth that is already broken or severely worn down
- to hold a dental bridge in place
- to cover a dental implant during the final stage of restoration
Previously, dental crowns were made of gold or metal inside a porcelain shell. However, it is now possible to create all-porcelain crowns that are extremely durable and made to last for decades. Porcelain dental crowns are very effective treatments to restore both form and function to damaged teeth.
A dental bridge is made up of two or more crowns which are anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth and can:
- Restore your smile if you’ve lost one or more teeth
- Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position and changing your bite.
However, dental bridges treatment will damage teeth on either side of the gap, will not stop bone resorption and will need to be replaced do not stop the loss of jawbone and will need to be replaced. For these reasons, a dental implant is now considered the treatment of choice when replacing a lost tooth. Ask us for more information.