Dental Crowns and Bridges

If you have missing, cracked, broken or damaged teeth, a crown or bridge may help to restore your smile and your confidence.

Made of porcelain or ceramic material, they can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth, enabling them to blend in perfectly.

A crown is a single tooth that covers the entire surface of your existing tooth, whereas a bridge replaces a missing tooth or teeth.

The bridge is cemented to your natural teeth on each side of the gap, which is then covered with a crown. The replacement teeth are attached to these crowns.

Once in place, your bridge or crown will look like your own natural teeth.

Uses of Bridges and Crowns

• Replace a large filling where there is not enough tooth remaining
• Strengthen a weak tooth and protect it from fracturing
• Fill in missing teeth or a gap in a smile
• Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover and strengthen a tooth that has had root canal treatment
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Cover a dental implant

While you may think a missing tooth is not something to be concerned about, it can lead to problems later. When you are missing one or more teeth, the remaining teeth may drift or fall into the empty spaces.

Dental Crowns

Reasons your tooth may be compromised and require a crown include:

• Dental injury resulting in a cracked or chipped tooth
• Cosmetic imperfections of a tooth
• A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
• A tooth that has been weakened due to decay, clenching or grinding

A dental crown may also be used to cover a discoloured tooth, provided that it is determined to be the best option. A crown can be made from several materials: metal, porcelain, ceramic, resin or a combination of these.

Our dentists will discuss these options with you in order to help you decide which type is best for you based on several factors that include longevity, appearance and cost.

Crowns can restore the function of your teeth and return confidence to your smile!

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are multiple crowns joined together; they may be used when a person is missing one or more teeth.

They are used to “bridge” the gap and replace the missing teeth in order to prevent problems that may arise from having a gap.

Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge.

A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use.

The Procedure

Crowns and bridges must be created and moulded uniquely for each person and each tooth. Constructing a dental crown generally requires two appointments with your dentist.

During the first appointment, the existing tooth is prepared to receive a dental crown, impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth.

At the next visit, the temporary crown is removed and replaced by the new custom-made dental crown. The new crown is adjusted and cemented into place, providing a more long-term, natural-looking aesthetic solution.

Dental crowns can be constructed from a range of materials. Your dentist will discuss which material will be most appropriate for your individual situation.

The cost of dental crowns does vary depending on the type of crown required. Your dentist will be able to provide you with a fee estimate prior to completing any treatment.

Finest Crowns and Bridges at Thornton Dental

Thornton Dental takes pride in offering advanced designs and finest materials in dental replacements. Our experience in providing dental crowns and bridges allow us to give you the finest dental service possible. If you are ready to restore your smile with our crowns and bridges, visit us at Thornton Dental today.

Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or visit us at 9/1 Taylor Ave in Thornton.