Crowns
A crown is sometimes referred to as a “cap” and can be used to improve esthetics AND function. When a tooth is missing a significant amount of natural structure, either due to a large filling, a crack or a fracture, a dental crown is indicated. A crown is “like a thimble” that covers the entire 360 degrees of a tooth and acts to splint and protect the tooth from the outside.
There are 3 types of crowns:
Crowns may be placed on a natural tooth or on a dental implant.
Bridges
A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. A bridge is essentially multiple crowns joined together with a “floating crown”, or pontic, in the space of the missing tooth. It is a “fixed” prosthesis, meaning that once the bridge is in place it is not removed. In order to place a bridge, the teeth on either side of the space need to be prepped down for the crowns/bridge abutments. If the teeth on either side of the space would benefit from crowns anyway (ie. They have large restorations or cracks), then a bridge is a good option for replacing the missing tooth. However, if the teeth on either side of the space are “virgin” teeth (ie. They have no restorations or structural compromises), then a dental bridge in Kamloops may not be the best option, as a significant amount of good tooth structure would have to be sacrificed in order to place the bridge. In this case, a dental implant would be the preferable mode of replacing the missing tooth or teeth.
We are accepting new patients, so be sure to schedule a consultation regarding your crown and bridge—call Aberdeen Dental Arts today!