Crowns and Bridges

A crown or onlay is a cap fitted over a damaged tooth to restore its function and appearance, usually made from metal or tooth coloured porcelain.

A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth and it bridges the gap between the adjacent teeth, fusing one or more false teeth to crowns that are fixed to either side of the gap. Bridges are made of metal and porcelain and provide good eating function, look natural, are durable and resist stains.

To make a crown an impression of the tooth is taken to make a model which the dental technician works off to create the right shape, which may take a few weeks, during which time the you will have a temporary crown. The permanent crown or bridge is fitted and can last many years with proper care and can be matched to fit the natural colour of your teeth.

A crown can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth left, and can be used to attach a bridge or protect a weak tooth from breaking, particularly after a root canal treatment.

Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth and look and feel like natural teeth.

An alternative type of bridge is called a resin-retained bridge and sticks onto the back of an adjacent tooth to the missing tooth and replaces the missing tooth. They require little to no drilling making them an excellent modern alternative to conventional bridges

If you have noticeably damaged or painful teeth, book a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss whether crowns or bridges are suitable for you.