A crown is a cap that covers a tooth completely, restoring its shape and protecting what is left of it from fracturing. Crowns are used after root canal treatment, on badly broken or heavily filled teeth, and on top of dental implants.
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining a replacement to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap. It is a fixed solution, so unlike a denture it is not removed at night.
Both are made to match the shade and shape of your existing teeth. Modern zirconia and ceramic crowns have no dark metal line at the gum, which is what made older crowns obvious.
What happens at your appointment
So there are no surprises: this is the sequence dental crowns & bridges follows at Care Plus Dental Clinic.
Assessment and planning
The tooth is examined and X-rayed to confirm the root is sound enough to support a crown, and the material is chosen with you.
Tooth preparation
Under local anaesthesia, a thin, even layer is shaped off the tooth to make room for the crown to sit flush.
Impression and shade
An impression or digital scan is taken, along with the shade, so the laboratory can build the crown to match the teeth beside it.
Temporary crown
A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth while the permanent one is made, so you are never left with an exposed tooth.
Fitting
The permanent crown is tried in, checked for fit, bite and colour, adjusted if needed, and then cemented in place.
Aftercare
What you do in the days after treatment affects the result as much as the appointment itself.
- Avoid sticky or very hard food while the temporary crown is on, as it is deliberately easy to remove.
- Clean around and under a bridge daily using a floss threader or interdental brush; decay under a bridge is the usual reason one fails.
- Some gum tenderness for a few days after fitting is normal.
- If the bite feels off after cementing, come back for an adjustment.
Dental Crowns & Bridges: common questions
How many visits does a crown take?
Usually two: one to prepare the tooth and take the impression, and one to fit the finished crown once the laboratory has made it.
Which crown material is best?
Zirconia and full ceramic crowns give the most natural appearance and are strong enough for back teeth, which is why they are the usual recommendation. Metal-ceramic remains a lower-cost option. Dr. Vitkar will go through what suits your tooth and budget.
Will the crown match my other teeth?
Yes. The shade is matched before the crown is made, and checked again at the fitting appointment before it is cemented.
Bridge or implant for a missing tooth?
A bridge is quicker and does not need surgery, but it involves preparing the healthy teeth on either side. An implant does not touch the neighbouring teeth but takes longer and costs more. Both are explained in full at the consultation.