Both dental crowns and bridges are types of dental restorations. They might look similar at first glance, but in fact, they perform very different functions. In this article, we discuss the key differences between crowns and bridges and how dentists choose the right option.
Dental Crowns vs Dental Bridges: How Dentists Choose the Right Option
The most fundamental difference between a dental crown and a bridge is that a crown can be attached to an existing tooth (or a dental implant), while a bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in a row. Let us look at these two methods of dental restoration in more detail.
Dental Crowns
As we mentioned earlier, a crown is attached to an existing natural tooth. Typically, crowns are made of porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to- metal (or resin composite in some cases) and cover the entire tooth like a cap. A crown is hermetically bonded to the tooth to prevent bacterial, saliva, and food residue from accessing the tooth.
Crowns are often recommended in the following cases:
- After root canal therapy (treatment of a severely decayed tooth), to reinforce a tooth’s structure weakened by infection and protect it from further damage
- To restore and protect a cracked or chipped tooth
- To reinforce and protect a worn-out tooth
- To achieve cosmetic improvements, for example, cover a severely discolored or misshapen tooth.
Also, crowns can be placed when you are getting a dental bridge to reinforce teeth on each side of a gap (when a natural tooth is missing) that will support the bridge.
Additionally, a dental implant consists of the implant itself (a metal post surgically placed into the jawbone) and a dental crown attached to the post.
Depending on the material they are made of and your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits, crowns can last 7 to 15 years, with zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns being the most durable options.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are always used as prosthetics that replace missing natural teeth. They literally bridge the gap where your tooth used to be and are supported by the surrounding teeth. As we mentioned in the previous section, crowns are often placed on the supporting teeth to reinforce them and help them withstand the additional pressure from the bridge.
The majority of dental bridges are made of porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal. These materials closely match the color of the rest of your teeth, making the bridge look natural in the mouth. Similar to dental crowns, zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal bridges last the longest—for up to 15 years or even longer in some cases.
What Option Is Right for You?
Whether you get a bridge or a dental crown does not depend on personal preferences but on the nature of your oral health issues:
- Your dentist will recommend a dental crown if you have a relatively healthy natural tooth that needs restoration and reinforcement.
- Your dentist will recommend a bridge to replace a missing tooth, with potential placement of dental crowns on the bridge supporting teeth.
- If your natural tooth is severely decayed and can not be saved with root canal therapy and subsequent dental crown placement, your dentist might recommend extracting the tooth and later replacing it with a bridge.
Get A Reliable Dental Restoration at Shodhan DHS
If you have oral health concerns, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Shodhan DHS today. Our specialists will carefully examine your oral health to provide you with an optimal, reliable solution. We are looking forward to your visit.
