Crowns and bridges serve one purpose, they restore missing teeth but in two different conditions. After root canal treatment, the strong base of the tooth is still available but it will be fragile and may break any time. It is protected by a cap like protective structure. So, in effect,crowns for missing teeth restore partially missing teeth. Crowns may be used if a tooth is repaired using large fillings or it is weak.
Dental bridge replacement also restores missing teeth but, in this case, the teeth are completely missing. The dentist might have removed the tooth if it was seriously decayed. Teeth may have to be extracted (removed) if they are broken accidentally leaving too small pieces which cannot support a crown.
Dental bridge repair will be the option to “fill the gap.”To understand a dental bridge, think of three crowns fitted together as a unit. Sometimes, more units will be necessary depending upon the condition of the nearby teeth.The number of ‘units’ in a bridge depends upon the abutment, i.e., neighboring teeth. The dentist may recommend a 3-unit bridge to replace a missing tooth, one of the artificial teeth fills the gap and the other two go over the neighboring teeth and retain the new tooth in place. Literally, the unit forms a bridge like structure we see across the rivers.
Dental Bridge vs Crown:
Both the dental bridge and crowns are mad of same material. Porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic crowns are the current standard options and each has its own advantages and limitations. While the dentist will explain the pros and cons and suggest the options that is right for you.
Crowns,Bridges and Benefits:
Whether it is the crown or a dental bridge that is fitted, the practical benefits are the same.
- Teeth surrounding a weak tooth or a missing tooth gradually lose their strength, Crowns and bridges supply the mutual support and protect your remaining teeth.
- Weak/ missing tooth give you pain when eating or you may not be able to chew properly which affects digestion. Once a crown/ bridge is fitted, you will regain the pleasure of eating all those foods and ice creams you had to forego.
- You will smile and speak again nicely and without feeling awkward.
