A crown is a custom cap that covers a damaged tooth and restores its shape, strength and appearance. A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and stays cemented in place, so you never take it out. Both are made to match your natural teeth and are adjusted so you can bite and chew normally.
When you may need a crown
- A tooth is cracked, broken or badly worn.
- A large filling no longer holds the tooth together.
- After a root canal, to protect the treated tooth.
- To restore a dental implant.
- To improve the shape or color of a tooth that cannot be fixed with a filling or a veneer.
When a fixed bridge makes sense
A bridge closes the gap left by one or more missing teeth. The teeth on each side of the gap are prepared and covered with crowns, and the replacement tooth is joined to them in a single piece.
When the neighboring teeth are healthy, or when several teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge may be the better option, because it does not require reshaping healthy teeth. We explain the pros and cons of each choice for your case.
Porcelain and other materials
Porcelain and other tooth-colored ceramics reflect light much like natural enamel, which is why they look natural in a smile. Depending on where the tooth is and how much force it takes, we recommend the material that best balances appearance and strength, and we tell you why.
The process
- Exam and X-rays to check the root and the bone. With our intraoral camera you can see the problem on screen.
- Preparation. The tooth is shaped under local anesthesia so the crown fits over it.
- Impressions and shade selection, so the lab can make a crown that fits and matches.
- Temporary crown to protect the tooth while the final one is made.
- Final fitting. We check the fit, the color and your bite, then cement the crown or bridge.
Caring for crowns and bridges
Brush twice a day and clean under the bridge with floss threaders or a water flosser, because food can collect under the replacement tooth. Keep your regular checkups so we can catch any problem at the edges early.
Coming from the U.S.
A crown or bridge usually takes two visits. Send us your travel dates on WhatsApp and we will plan the appointments around them.
