A crown is an artificial tooth that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that are heavily discoloured or that have been broken or have been weakened by decay or carry a very large filling. The two most commonly used types of crowns are the “Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal” and the “All Ceramic”.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal dental crowns (PFMs) have a metal shell which provides a lot of strength, and a porcelain external part which gives the crown its white tooth-like appearance, suitable for front teeth restorations.
All-ceramic (all-porcelain) dental crowns provide better natural colour match than any other type of crown. They are not as strong as Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal crowns, but they are a great choice for front teeth.
A Bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth (or teeth). A dental bridge quite literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. For example, a bridge covering one missing tooth is made up of two crowns one on each anchoring tooth on either side of the gap and a false tooth in the middle. A dental bridge is usually made of porcelain and will blend with the rest of your teeth in both shape and colour. Dental bridges can last for up to 10-15 years provided you follow a good oral health routine and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.
