Crowns
A crown is a cap that covers the whole tooth. It is the answer when so much tooth has been lost to decay, fracture or wear that a filling would not hold, or when a tooth has had root canal treatment and needs protecting from splitting. Porcelain crowns are matched to the shade of the teeth either side.
Bridges
A bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth by anchoring a replacement to the teeth on either side. It is fixed in place, so it does not come out for cleaning like a denture, and it stops the neighbouring teeth drifting into the gap.
What to expect
Both usually take two visits. At the first we prepare the tooth or teeth and take an impression, and you leave with a temporary in place. The laboratory makes the permanent one, and at the second visit we fit and cement it, checking the bite carefully before it goes in for good.
Common questions
How long do crowns last?
Well made and well looked after, many last ten to fifteen years or longer. The tooth underneath still needs cleaning and can still decay at the margin.
Will it match my other teeth?
Yes. We take the shade at the preparation visit so the laboratory can match the teeth around it.
Bridge or implant?
Both are valid. We do not place implants here, so if that is the better option for your case we will tell you and refer you on.