Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns are custom-made tooth-shaped restorations that cover the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gumline. Crowns are used to restore the shape, size, strength, and appearance of damaged or weakened teeth. They are designed to protect and strengthen a tooth structure that has been compromised by decay, cracks, fractures, or extensive dental work. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. The material chosen will depend on factors such as the location of the tooth, the amount of natural tooth remaining, and your personal preferences.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth definitively to adjacent teeth or dental implants. Bridges are an important option for dental restoration, as they help maintain the shape of the face, alleviate stress on the bite, and improve both the aesthetics and function of the teeth. Bridges are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and aesthetic result. They not only restore the function and appearance of your smile but also prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
Such restorations are typically required:
- To restore a tooth/teeth after root canal treatment
- To cover and support a tooth/teeth with a large filling
- To protect a weak or cracked tooth/teeth from further damage
- To restore a worn-down or misshapen tooth/teeth
- To cover a dental implant(s)
- For cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth/teeth
Materials
Ceramic/Porcelain crowns are made from advanced ceramic materials that closely mimic the natural appearance of teeth. They are known for their exceptional aesthetics, as they can be crafted to match the translucency, color, and texture of your surrounding teeth. Ceramic crowns are an excellent choice for front teeth or visible areas of the mouth, as they provide a natural-looking and beautiful restoration.
These crowns are also highly durable and resistant to wear and staining. They are biocompatible and metal-free, making them a popular option for individuals with metal allergies or sensitivity.
Zirconia crowns are a type of ceramic crown made from a highly durable and strong zirconia material. They offer exceptional strength and fracture resistance, making them an ideal choice for posterior (back) teeth that endure significant biting and chewing forces.
While zirconia crowns may not have the same level of translucency as other ceramic crowns, they can still provide a natural-looking appearance, especially for less visible areas of the mouth. They are also biocompatible and metal-free, making them a popular option for those with metal sensitivities.
Zirconia crowns can be monolithic (made entirely of zirconia) or have a porcelain exterior for improved aesthetics.
Composite material is utilised for temporary crowns as provisional restorations that are used to protect a prepared tooth while a permanent crown is being fabricated. They are typically made from a mixture of plastic and glass particles or ceramic particles.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, also known as porcelain-metal crowns, are a popular type of dental crown that combines the strength of metal with the natural-looking aesthetics of porcelain.
These crowns consist of two main components:
Metal Substructure: The inner core of the crown is made from a strong and durable metal alloy, typically a mixture of gold, platinum, or base metals like nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium. This metal substructure provides exceptional strength and resistance to fractures, making it suitable for posterior (back) teeth that endure heavy biting and chewing forces.
Porcelain Exterior: The outer layer of the crown is made from a thin shell of porcelain ceramic material. This porcelain exterior is fused to the metal substructure, giving the crown a natural-looking appearance that mimics the translucency, color, and texture of natural teeth.
Types - Bridges
This type of bridge is made by creating crowns on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth gap, with a pontic (false tooth) in between. The crowns act as anchors to hold the pontic in place.
Similar to a traditional bridge, but it is supported by a crowned tooth on only one side of the missing tooth gap. Useful in areas with less stress, like the front teeth.
Maryland bridges are a cheaper alternative to traditional bridges. This type of bridge is supported by a framework that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth, without the need for crowns so as to not impact regular chewing and to keep the mouth aesthetically pleasing.
This type of bridge is supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth. The implants act as anchors for the bridge, providing a more stable and long-lasting solution. This option requires sufficient bone structure to support the dental implants.
Gallery
Visual insights to help you understand what to expect from your treatment. For more content, please refer to our Education Hub.
Benefits & Considerations
Everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Benefits
Protection and Durability
With proper care and maintenance, dental crowns and bridges offer exceptional durability and longevity. Crowns act as a protective shield for weakened teeth, preventing further damage or decay. Both restorations are crafted from high-quality materials that are built to withstand the daily demands of chewing and biting.
Improved Aesthetics
Enhance your smile with the natural-looking beauty of crowns and bridges. Crowns can transform the appearance of discolored, misshapen, or damaged teeth, while bridges seamlessly fill in gaps left by missing teeth. These restorations are meticulously designed to blend in with your natural teeth, providing you with a confident, radiant smile.
Structural Support
Crowns provide essential structural support for teeth that have been weakened by decay, injury, or root canal treatment. Bridges also play a crucial role in maintaining the facial structure, preventing the sunken appearance that can occur with missing teeth, helping you maintain a youthful and vibrant look.
Cost-Effective Solution
Compared to other restorative options, such as dental implants, crowns and bridges offer a cost-effective solution for restoring your smile. With their reliable and time-tested design, these restorations provide an excellent value for the investment.
Prevention of Dental Issues
By restoring the structural integrity of your teeth, crowns and bridges help prevent further dental problems from arising. Crowns stop the progression of damage to weakened teeth, while bridges prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position, maintaining proper alignment and bite.
Restoration of Function
Crowns and bridges are designed to restore the full functionality of your teeth, allowing you to chew, bite, and speak comfortably without any limitations. Crowns fortify and protect damaged teeth, while bridges seamlessly replace missing teeth, ensuring you can enjoy all your favorite foods.
Considerations
Temporary Sensitivity
After receiving a crown or bridge, some patients may experience temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. This is a common side effect as the tooth adjusts to the new restoration. Any discomfort is typically mild and subsides within a few weeks as the tooth settles.
Oral Hygiene
While crowns and bridges are designed to be durable, it's crucial to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings are essential to prevent decay or gum disease from developing at the margins where the restoration meets your natural tooth or gum line.
Potential Adjustments
As with any dental restoration, there may be a need for minor adjustments or refinements after your crown or bridge is placed. This ensures optimal comfort, proper bite alignment, and a natural-looking appearance. Our team will closely monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments during follow-up visits.
Longevity and Replacement
With proper care and maintenance, crowns and bridges can provide many years of reliable service. However, like natural teeth, they may eventually require replacement due to normal wear and tear or changes in your oral health. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor the condition of your restorations and plan for timely replacements when necessary.
Material Compatibility
While rare, some individuals may have allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain materials used in crowns or bridges, particularly metal alloys. Your dentist will thoroughly evaluate your medical history and discuss any potential concerns to ensure the materials used are compatible with your body.
Treatment Procedure
Let's walk through your treatment procedure from start to finish.
Initial Consultation
Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your oral health and discuss your treatment options, including the possibility of a dental crown or bridge restoration. This consultation allows us to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Tooth Preparation
For crowns, a portion of the outer tooth structure is removed to create space for the crown to fit properly. For bridges, the teeth adjacent to the gap (abutment teeth) are recontoured by removing a portion of enamel to accommodate the crowns that will anchor the bridge.
Intraoral Scanning
Precise impressions or digital scans of your prepared teeth and surrounding area are taken. These impressions serve as a model for the dental laboratory to fabricate your custom-made crown or bridge, ensuring a comfortable and accurate fit.
Temporary Restoration (Optional)
Usually, we aim for same-day restorations.
However, if required, a temporary restoration may be placed to protect the prepared teeth and gums, and allow you to maintain your normal function and appearance during the interim period.
Design & Fabrication
Using the impressions or digital scans, skilled dental technicians will meticulously design your permanent crown or bridge using specialised CAD software. This process involves combining advanced design principles and techniques to create a restoration that seamlessly blends with your natural teeth in terms of form, function, and aesthetics. The restorations are then manufactured in-house via state-of-the-art 3D printing or milling machinery. MODJAW technology may be utilised to ensure comfort and safety in performing dynamic jaw movements such as protrusion, lateral excursions, chewing, and speech.
Polishing & Finishing
After milling, each restoration undergoes meticulous finishing for optimal aesthetics. The restoration is polished with fine burs, then custom stains are applied to match natural tooth color. A final ceramic glaze firing creates a durable, glass-like surface with ideal translucency (depending on material requirements). Each restoration is inspected under various lighting conditions before delivery.
Restoration Placement
Once your custom crown or bridge is ready, the temporary restoration is removed, and the permanent one is carefully bonded or cemented into place, ensuring a secure and durable fit.
Adjustment & Refinement
Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to your new crown or bridge to achieve optimal comfort, proper bite alignment, and a natural-looking appearance. Minor refinements may be made during follow-up visits to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Post-Operative Care
Simple steps to protect your smile and ensure optimal results in the days following your procedure.
Oral Hygiene
Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, flossing carefully around your crown or bridge using floss threaders or interdental brushes to remove plaque and food debris. Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash can also help reduce plaque buildup.
Eating & Drinking
Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that could damage or dislodge your crown or bridge. Maintain a balanced diet that supports overall dental health, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products low in sugar.
Protection
If you grind your teeth or participate in contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your crown or bridge from damage. Avoid habits like biting your nails, chewing on pens, or using your teeth to open packaging.
Regular Check-Ups
Schedule regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, at least twice a year. Your dentist will monitor the condition of your restoration and perform necessary maintenance to prolong its lifespan.
Crowns and bridges are versatile restorations that protect damaged teeth and replace missing ones, restoring function and aesthetics. However, each individual's needs are unique, so consulting an experienced dentist is crucial to determine the most suitable option. With proper care and maintenance, including excellent oral hygiene, dietary habits, and regular check-ups, these restorations can provide years of reliable service, ensuring a healthy, radiant smile. Our team is dedicated to delivering personalised, high-quality solutions that prioritize your needs and preferences.