Dental crowns and bridges are two of the most common solutions for restoring a smile when a tooth is damaged or missing. Tooth problems can affect how you chew, speak, and feel about your appearance. Crowns and bridges can restore function, comfort, and confidence helping you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile again.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made “cap” that completely covers a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. During a procedure, the tooth is reshaped, an impression is taken, and the crown is created to fit perfectly. Once placed, the crown becomes the tooth’s new outer surface.
Crowns are commonly used to:
- Restore a cracked or broken tooth
- Protect a weak tooth after a root canal
- Cover a tooth with a large filling
- Improve the appearance of a tooth for cosmetic reasons
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of two crowns covering the teeth on either side of the gap and a “pontic” (the replacement tooth) in the middle. Unlike a crown, which restores a single tooth, a bridge fills the space left by a missing tooth or teeth.
Bridges are commonly used to:
- Fill the gap left by a missing tooth
- Prevent nearby teeth from shifting out of place
- Restore normal chewing and speaking function
Similarities and Differences
Similarities
Crowns and bridges are both customer made to match your natural teeth and are fixed solutions (unlike removable dentures). They are both designed to restore function and appearance while preventing future dental issues.
Differences
The main difference between the two is a crown covers and protects a single damaged tooth and a bridge replaces one ore missing teeth and rely on surrounding teeth for support.
How to Know You Might Need One
You may benefit from a dental crown if you:
- Have a cracked, broken, or severely worn-down tooth
- Recently had a root canal
- Have a tooth with a very large filling that’s at risk of breaking
- Want to improve the shape or color of a tooth
You may benefit from a dental bridge if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth in a row
- Notice nearby teeth starting to shift or tilt
- Have difficulty chewing or speaking due to a gap
- Want a permanent solution (rather than a removable partial denture)
Custom Crowns & Bridges, Made Here at American Dental Solutions
At our practice, we have our own dental lab on-site, which means your crowns, bridges, and dentures are crafted right here by our expert team. This allows us to ensure the perfect fit, faster turnaround times, and the highest level of quality for your unique smile.
If you think you may need a crown or bridge and want to learn more about your options, Call 1-844-9Smiles or click here to schedule an appointment online! We’ll evaluate your needs and help you choose the solution that restores your confidence and keeps your smile healthy for years to come. Visit any of our 15 convenient locations in southeast Pennsylvania
