Don't let the thought of a missing tooth affect you. Embrace the transformative power of dental bridges, restoring your smile, and the protective benefits of a dental crown in preventing extraction.

Crowns and bridges are types of dental restorations that help fill in gaps left by missing teeth. A bridge is a fixed unit that is custom-made in the laboratory to replace one or more missing teeth. It is attached to two or more adjacent teeth on either side of the space where the missing tooth was. 

Dental crowns are placed over a tooth's existing surface and are used to cover weakened tooth due to caries, fractures, or discoloration. It restores the function and durability of your natural tooth when it cannot be fixed with a filling due to the extent of the damage. Both crowns and bridges are fixed options and cannot be removed unless they need to be replaced.

Dental crowns and bridges can fill a variety of needs for patients who have lost teeth or whose teeth are extremely weak. Both dental crowns and bridges can provide strength to damaged teeth, mask the appearance of a large filling, or correct an aesthetic flaw like an uneven tooth surface or discoloration. Dental crowns are also used to repair damage caused by decay. Here are the specific cases where dental bridges and crowns are needed Dental Bridges Dental bridges are used to replace one or many teeth that are missing. They are also needed in the following scenarios:

• Stabilizing Surrounding Teeth: Bridges rely on existing teeth (abutment teeth) for support. These adjacent teeth are crowned to ensure they can hold the artificial teeth (pontics) securely in place.

• Enhancing Chewing and Speaking: By restoring missing teeth, a dental bridge helps in restoring normal chewing and speaking functions, which can be compromised due to tooth loss.

• Avoiding Further Complications: Gaps from missing teeth can lead to bone loss and gum issues. Bridges prevent these potential complications by filling the space and providing support to the adjacent existing tooth.

Dental Crowns Dental crowns play a role in restoring and protecting damaged or weakened teeth. They are needed in the following scenarios:

• Decay and Damage: When a tooth has extensive decay that cannot be addressed with a regular filling, a crown can cover and protect the remaining healthy structure.

• Strengthening Support for Bridges: Crowns are placed on healthy adjacent teeth to provide stability and support for dental bridges. These crowned teeth act as anchors for the bridge's artificial teeth.

• Top of Dental Implants: Dental crowns are placed on the dental implants to replace single missing teeth and act like an artificial tooth. The dental implant serves as the root, and the crown mimics the appearance and function of a natural teeth.