Crown and Bridgework

Crowns:

Sometimes a tooth is so broken down or cracked it needs something stronger than a filling to keep it going. A crown or cap fits over the tooth like a crash helmet protecting the fragile structure underneath. Crowns are made to match the shape, size and colour of your teeth. They can be made from porcelain, gold or semi-precious metal alloy although porcelain crowns are the most popular because they resemble natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced.

Bridges:

A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth.  It involves 2 or 3 crowns joined together that cap the adjacent teeth and 'bridge' the gap.  In many cases, a bridge is still a valid option but, since the introduction of implants, bridgework is not used as much as it involves cutting into and preparing potentially healthy teeth either side just to fill the gap.