If you are looking for a restorative dental solution, you might be wondering what to go with between dental bridges and crowns. These two options are widely used to restore damaged or missing teeth. However, they serve distinct purposes and involve different procedures.
Before choosing any of these dental treatments, you want to consult an experienced dentist. This blog explains the major differences between a bridge and a crown, the various types available, their respective treatment processes, and how to determine which option might be best for you.
An Overview of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used in restorative dentistry to protect and restore the functionality of damaged or weakened teeth. A crown, often called a "cap," encases the entire visible portion of a tooth, providing strength and enhancing its appearance.
Dental crowns are essential when a tooth has undergone significant decay, fracture, or has received root canal treatment. By covering the tooth, a crown helps prevent further deterioration and maintain the alignment of your bite.
Crowns are made from various materials, each chosen based on the patient's specific needs and the location of the tooth in question. These materials include metals, porcelain, ceramics, and resins.
Each type of crown offers distinct advantages and is suited for different situations. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision about your dental care.
Types of Dental Crowns
If you are looking to restore a damaged or weakened tooth, you want to select the right type of dental crown. Below are the types of dental crowns:
- Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are among the longest-lasting crown types. They are made from alloys with a high proportion of gold, platinum, or a base metal such as nickel or chromium. Therefore, these metals can withstand the stresses of chewing and biting.
Their major drawback is that they are silver in color and, therefore, not suitable for use with highly visible teeth. However, the metal crowns provide unmatched longevity for the molars at the far end of the mouth.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns blend durability and aesthetics in crown restorations. These crowns are made with a metal substructure and a layer of porcelain. The porcelain shade can be matched to your teeth. However, the metal understructure can sometimes become visible as a dark line at the margin of the gum.
- Pressed Ceramic Crowns
Pressed ceramic crowns have a natural feel and texture. Their durability and aesthetic appeal characterize these crowns. Unlike PFM crowns, they do not have a metal base, so they look like your natural teeth when placed. They are ideal for treating front teeth because of their appearance and structure.
- All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns
All ceramic or porcelain crowns have superior aesthetics. They are made of ceramic or porcelain and, therefore, mimic the accurate color of natural teeth. They are especially recommended for metal allergy sufferers. However, they are not as strong as metal crowns and are recommended for use in the front teeth since little force is applied when chewing.
- Same-Day Dental Crowns
CEREC crowns, or same-day crowns, are types of crowns that enable patients to receive a crown in one visit. With computer-aided imaging and milling technology, your dentist can design and fit a crown in a few hours. These crowns are ceramic and are suitable for patients with tight schedules.
- All-Resin Crowns
All-resin crowns are a cost-effective alternative made entirely of dental composite material. While they are less expensive, they are also less durable than other types of crowns and may wear down or fracture over time. Therefore, they are often used as a temporary solution while waiting for a more permanent crown.
An Overview of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a restorative solution that replaces missing teeth, bridging the gap where the teeth once were. The gap created by a missing tooth puts pressure on the adjacent teeth, and they move in different directions, thus causing biting and chewing difficulties and even changing your facial appeal. A dental bridge restores your beautiful smile and properly positions your teeth and jaws.
A bridge involves one or more prosthetic teeth or pontics that are supported by the adjacent teeth or implants dental crowns. These are called abutment teeth, which offer the required support for anchoring the bridge. The outcome is a long-lasting restoration that appears, feels, and functions like your original teeth.
Dental bridges are made in such a way that they resemble your natural teeth in terms of size, shape, and color, and they fit well in your mouth. To make and place the bridge, a dentist has to ensure the bridge fits well and blends in with the natural teeth, especially the abutment teeth, and the size of the gap to be filled.
It is essential to understand the available choices so that the right decision can be made to regain a smile and oral health.
Types of Dental Bridges
A patient may require several kinds of dental bridges, depending on the position of the missing teeth, the state of the adjacent teeth, and the patient’s budget. Each type of bridge is designed to address specific situations, offering different levels of support and aesthetic appeal.
- Traditional Dental Bridge
The traditional bridge is suitable when other teeth are adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. It consists of one or more points anchored on dental crowns cemented to the abutment teeth. These crowns offer the required support for the bridge to remain positioned without shifting.
A traditional bridge is rigid and durable, able to withstand chewing and biting forces. However, the technique requires filing the adjacent teeth, which may cause the loss of healthy tooth structure.
- Cantilever Dental Bridge
A cantilever dental bridge is similar to a traditional bridge. However, it is applied only when there is one natural tooth on which the bridge will be supported. This type is fixed by one crown on one side of the gap, which is less frequently used and appropriate for areas of the mouth where less force is applied to the teeth, such as the anterior teeth.
Although a cantilever bridge will help give you a beautiful smile, the pressure applied to the supporting tooth is higher and may cause problems if not checked frequently.
- Maryland Dental Bridge
The Maryland dental bridge is less invasive, making it ideal to place a bridge on the front teeth. Unlike the crowns on the abutment teeth, this kind of bridge has metal or porcelain wings cemented to the back of the nearby teeth. This method is more conservative because it does not require as much alteration of the adjacent teeth as in the case of a bridge. However, the strength of the Maryland bridge is relatively low compared to other types of bridges. It is, therefore, not desirable for areas within the mouth to be subjected to heavy forces during biting.
- Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge is the most advanced, stable, and functional option. Unlike traditional bridges held in place by natural teeth, this bridge is fixed to dental implants inserted in the jawbone. Both anchor the bridge firmly in place and are a permanent and strong solution that mimics the functionality of real teeth.
Such a bridge is most useful when several teeth are missing since the force of the bite is spread over the implants. While it takes more time to place the implant-supported bridge and may involve several visits and surgeries, the outcome is durable, and your quality of life can be greatly enhanced.
Major Differences between a Bridge and a Crown
Bridges and crowns are used to try to recreate the function and aesthetics of your teeth, but they are used in different situations and involve different processes.
Purpose of Bridges vs. Crown
A dental crown is mainly placed to restore a broken or weak tooth and offer total protection. It functions as a crown that surrounds only the portion of the tooth that is visible when one opens one's mouth. A crown is usually used where a tooth is badly decayed, cracked, or has undergone root canal treatment.
A crown protects the tooth by placing a cap over it and supporting it to withstand further harm. Several types of crowns are available, made from metal, porcelain, ceramic, and resin. Each has a quality that defines its strength and appearance.
Application of Bridges vs. Crown
A dental bridge is applied when one or several teeth are missing. A bridge, in a literal sense, “bridges” the gap created by the missing teeth. The artificial teeth, or pontics, are cemented or screwed onto the natural teeth and implants that are on either side of the gap.
Unlike a crown, which is a single unit, a bridge involves multiple components: the pontics and the crowns that support them. The main aim of a bridge is to replace the missing teeth to give you a complete arch that you can use to bite, speak, and smile properly. They also assist in keeping the rest of your teeth in the correct positions and prevent them from drifting into the space left by the missing tooth.
A crown strengthens and covers a tooth, while a bridge fills in missing teeth. Choosing a bridge or a crown depends on the state of the teeth and the mouth's general health. A crown may be suitable if you have a single tooth that has decayed but is still not separated from the others. However, if you have one or more missing teeth, a bridge is needed to restore the aesthetics and functionality of the mouth.
Impact on Adjacent Teeth
When placing a crown, the concentration is on the tooth that needs restoration. Surrounding teeth are not commonly affected as much as the tooth in question. On the other hand, a conventional dental bridge needs the neighboring teeth to be modified and crowned since they support the bridge. Thus, some healthy tooth structures may have to be trimmed from the abutment teeth, which is not the case when a crown is placed.
Differences in Longevity and Maintenance
Crowns are strong and can last many years, provided they are well cared for. You may only need a dental checkup once in a while. Bridges, although strong, might need more care, especially in the area below the pontics, where there is a tendency to develop cavities and gum diseases. As for the effectiveness of both restorations, these results are achieved under proper care and regular check-ups.
Do I Need a Crown or a Bridge?
Deciding between a crown and a bridge depends on several factors, including the condition of your teeth, the specific dental issues you are facing, and your long-term oral health goals. Each treatment option offers distinct benefits, and the choice ultimately comes down to addressing your unique dental needs.
When You Need a Dental Crown
An ideal situation for a dental crown is when a tooth is cracked or broken but not shifted or missing. A crown is usually advised when a tooth is broken, decayed, or after a root canal treatment.
Crowns are also useful when a tooth needs to be shaped or discolored. An individual may need a crown due to an injury, a birth defect, or previous dental treatment, and it would make your teeth look better since it hides any irregularities and makes all the teeth appear similar.
When You Need a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is preferred when one or more teeth are missing, leaving a gap in your smile. Unlike a crown used to restore a single tooth, a bridge is designed to replace multiple teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (pontics) to adjacent natural teeth or implants. If you have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or periodontal disease, a bridge can restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently.
Contact a Dental Treatment Expert Near Me
The decision to opt for a dental crown or a dental bridge determines your dental and overall health. If you require a dental crown or a dental bridge or have lost teeth, the appropriate treatment will improve your teeth' aesthetics and functionality.
At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we are always ready to help you with tailor-made choices and offer professional dental care recommendations. Whether you require a crown for a damaged tooth or a bridge for your missing teeth, we have the skills and equipment to give you excellent outcomes.
Contact us at 818-751-5100 for an appointment in Encino.
