Dental Bridges and Crowns in Canberra
Damaged or missing a tooth? Having a crown or bridge may be the option for you.
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps placed over damaged or decayed teeth to restore their strength, shape, and appearance. Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or implants.
Both provide functional and aesthetic benefits, helping to maintain bite alignment and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.
What is a Crown?
While healthy teeth are made up of strong and hard enamel, teeth can often be subjected to damage due to:
- Decay
- Trauma (injury)
- Large or old fillings
- Root canal treatment
- Wear from grinding or ageing.
A crown is a tooth-shaped ‘cap’ or ‘button’ that is glued over a prepared tooth. It acts to strengthen, restore function and prevent wear or fracture of a weakened tooth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
If a tooth is lost for any reason, a bridge may be an good option for replacing the space.
A bridge offers replacement for one or more missing teeth, consisting of an artificial tooth that is joined to the adjected teeth with crowns.
Replacing missing teeth can:
- Improve appearance and speech.
- Prevent further wear of adjacent teeth.
- Prevent shifting of teeth either side of the space.
- Maintain chewing ability.
- Keep the bite stable.
The Dental Crown Process
Your dentist will recommend what treatment is best for you based on examination and x-rays. Crowns generally require at least two appointments, one for preparation and one for fitting of the crown. Sometimes, a tooth will require additional treatment, such as a root canal, before crown treatment can be commenced.
At the first appointment, the tooth is reduced on all sides by about 1-2 millimetres to make room for the crown. An impression is taken of this new shape and is sent to our dental lab. For protection, a temporary crown will be made and glued over your tooth. After 2-3 weeks, your new crown will then be glued on.
For a bridge, it is the same process as for a crown but may require a longer preparation appointment as more teeth are involved.
Dental Crown and Bridge FAQs
How long do crowns last?
Crowns generally are a long-term treatment option and can last between 5-15 years or longer. The longevity of a crown depends on a few factors, including:
- Location of the tooth (rear, front).
- Condition of the original tooth under the crown – badly decayed or broken-down teeth may be difficult to restore with a crown.
- Clenching/grinding or other harmful habits.
- Oral hygiene – the tooth under a crown is still susceptible to decay or gum disease without proper care.
What materials are used for crowns?
There are multiple options for materials that can be used for a crown:
- Porcelain/ceramic crowns offer good aesthetics and strength but require more tooth to be removed for thickness of the material.
- Metal/gold: can be made thinner and are therefore more conservative, known for their durability and strength. Unfortunately, they are not as aesthetically please and are normally used on back teeth.
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns are a combination of aesthetics and strength.
- Resin crowns are a more affordable option, however are the least durable.
Is getting a crown painful?
You may experience some sensitivity within the tooth or the surrounding gums following the preparation appointment or once the crown is cemented, however this will usually subside soon after treatment.
Can crowns be repaired or replaced?
Unfortunately, crowns cannot be repaired if broken, but they can be replaced provided there is no damage to the natural tooth underneath. If a crown is dislodged by a strong force, it often can be cleaned and re-cemented in place, as long the natural tooth underneath is intact.
If you’re interested in having a crown or bridge talk to us about which option is best for you. For more information or to make an appointment contact us today, or book your appointment online.
