What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a covering for an existing tooth. It can improve the way a decayed or broken tooth looks and make it stronger and longer lasting. Crowns are usually made from porcelain or ceramic.

When might you need a dental crown?

Dental crowns can be used to cover a broken or decayed tooth when too much of the original tooth is missing, such as after root canal treatment. They are also used to protect a weak tooth from breaking, and to cover stained or badly shaped teeth or to hold a bridge or denture in place

What happens during a dental crown procedure?

The dentist will usually prepare the tooth by removing a layer of its outer surface. The crown will be the same thickness as the thickness of this removed layer.

To make a crown, the dentist takes a mould of the tooth and sends it away to a technician who will prepare the crown. It can often be matched to the colour of the other teeth, so it will blend in.

You might be given a temporary crown to get you through until the permanent crown is made.

When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist fits it in place using dental cement or adhesive.

How do you care for your dental crown?

Although your crown cannot decay, the edge of the tooth on which it sits can. You will need to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth, as is usually recommended.

What are the benefits and risks of a dental crown procedure?

Crowns are a way of protecting teeth that are weak or have been broken. They also help improve the appearance of teeth that are irregularly shaped or stained. Crowns can last many years if they are cared for properly.

But sometimes they break or fall off. This might be because the cement does not hold, or it might be because the tooth under the crown has decayed.

Are there alternatives to dental crowns?

There are alternatives to dental crowns. If you want to improve discolouration, then veneers — which are thin layers fixed onto the front surface of a tooth — might be an option. If your tooth is chipped, your dentist may also try to rebuild your tooth structure using filling material.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge permanently replaces missing teeth with false teeth. The bridge is attached to the teeth on either side of the gap. They are fixed in place and, for some people, are an alternative to dentures.

When might you need a dental bridge?

You might need a dental bridge if you have a missing tooth or teeth and have healthy teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing teeth.

What happens during a dental bridge procedure?

First, the dentist will examine the mouth and ensure any tooth decay or gum disease is treated. They may take an x-ray and use equipment to take measurements of the teeth and mouth.

To prepare for a dental bridge, the dentist will usually file down the 2 healthy teeth on either side of the gap. They will then take a mould to make the bridge.

You might be given a temporary bridge while waiting for your permanent bridge to be ready. If so, that is taken out once your permanent bridge has been prepared.

The permanent bridge is put in place when ready, and usually attached to the surrounding healthy teeth with dental cement. Or the dentist might anchor the bridge with a dental implant, which is surgically placed in the jaw. The dentist will need to check if dental implants are suitable for you.

How do you care for your dental bridge?

You’ll need to brush your bridge with fluoride toothpaste and floss, as is usually recommended for natural teeth. Regular visits to your dentist are also important.

What are the benefits and risks of a dental bridge procedure?

Dental bridges can help restore the smile and avoid someone feeling self-conscious about having missing teeth. Filling in the gap left by missing teeth is also important because, if the gap is not filled, the surrounding teeth might lean into the gap over time and change the way a person bites.

Bridges can last for many years if they are cared for properly. However, they can fail, usually due to decay of the natural teeth next to them.

What are the alternatives to dental bridges?

The main alternative to a dental bridge is using removable false teeth, known as a partial denture, which you can take out to clean. Another alternative is a dental implant.