The terms crown and bridge are thrown around with many people unaware of what the dental restorations actually are until they need one. For residents in Glen Allen, VA, Dr. Olivia Hart of Virginia Biological Dentistry offers crowns and bridges as a solution for a broken tooth.
Fixed dental restorations
Both crowns and bridges are fixed dental devices bonded to natural teeth or implants to complete a smile that was marred by a cracked, broken, or missing tooth. Unlike dentures which may be removed, crowns and bridges are permanently cemented into place and cannot be taken out regularly.
Aesthetics and function are addressed. These dental devices enhance the smile while strengthening the tooth enabling the patient to eat and speak normally once again. Restorations look, act, and feel like natural teeth. This helps maintain patient comfort and confidence as the restoration is not immediately noticed by the general public. Crowns and bridges should be cared for as natural teeth to ensure their longevity.
Key differences
Although both are types of dental restorations, they do differ in how they strengthen and restore teeth.
- Crowns restore one tooth at a time. Dental ceramic bridges can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.
- Crowns are caps that cover damaged teeth or dental implants to make them appear natural again. They can improve the appearance of cracked, discolored, or misshapen teeth.
- Bridges adhere to existing teeth or implants and “bridge” the gap left by missing teeth. A false tooth often replaces the missing one and uses the surrounding teeth for support.
Broken or missing teeth can take away from your naturally beautiful smile. The teeth may shift when a tooth has been lost. This changes the way you eat and speak. It can also lead to problems cleaning the newly shifted teeth causing decay and the need for more dental work.
If you need dental restorations to complete your smile, contact Virginia Biological Dentistry for an appointment with Dr. Hart. (804) 381-6238
