Dental bridges and crowns are prosthetic devices with one significant similarity: both are used to improve your smile and boost your confidence. Their main difference is that bridges are false teeth supported by the natural teeth on either side of the space, while crowns cap and completely encase a tooth. Both dental restoration options have their unique benefits, and the ideal choice for you will ultimately depend on your individual needs.
Read on to learn more.
How Do Dental Bridges And Crowns Work?
A dental bridge has two main components: a false tooth, also called a fake tooth, and an artificial tooth or a replacement tooth and abutments (anchor tooth). Abutments are the healthy adjacent teeth that serve as anchors on either side of the bridge.
Below are the typical steps on how your dentist places your bridges:
- On your first visit, your dentist will numb your gums and shape the anchor tooth to prepare it for dental crowns. They will do this by removing a portion of the enamel so the crowns can be placed over them. This procedure can take up to one hour to one hour and thirty minutes.
- Once your anchor tooth is prepared, dental impressions of your mouth will be taken to create custom pontics and crowns, covering the remaining tooth structure.
- While you wait for your permanent bridge to be made, temporary bridges may be put on your prepared teeth to keep your smile looking great.
- When your new bridge is ready, usually after two weeks, you need to return to your dentist for its placement. They will check its fit and correct position and make any necessary adjustments. Once it’s in the correct position, the bridge will be cemented or bonded into place.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap covering an entire damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and/or improve its appearance.
Crowns are typically placed over teeth damaged by tooth decay, wear and tear, or injury. They can also support large fillings, hold dental bridges, or cover misshapen or discoloured teeth.
The steps on how your dentist places your crowns may vary depending on the type of crown being used as well as the condition of your tooth. With a traditional crown, you need two dental appointments, while you can also skip the temporary crown step and wait for your permanent crown on the same day (same-day appointment). This often lasts 1 to 2 hours.
Generally, the dental crown procedure goes like this:
- Your dentist will start by numbing your gums and preparing your tooth by removing any decay or damaged areas.
- Then they will take an impression of your mouth, which will be sent to a lab where your custom crown will be made. This may take several weeks. While waiting for your permanent crown, a temporary one will be put in place to protect your prepared tooth. You will be instructed to adhere to strict dietary guidelines, such as avoiding hard and sticky foods. You should also follow a strict dental hygiene routine.
- When your new crown is ready, your dentist will check its appearance, fit and bite and make any necessary adjustments. They will cement the crown or bond into place if both of you are satisfied.
Like any other dental procedure, your dentist will give you helpful aftercare instructions to ensure that your dental crowns or bridges can reach their optimum lifespan. These include practising good oral hygiene, avoiding hard foods, grinding teeth, and visiting your dentists for regular checkups and professional cleanings.
What Is The Cost Difference Between Dental Bridges And Crowns?
The cost of dental bridges and crowns can vary depending on the types of bridges or crowns being used, the choice of material, the number of teeth being restored, the location of your dentist, and whether or not you have dental insurance.
In general, dental bridges are less expensive than crowns because they require less work to place. Dental crowns are more expensive because they involve more time and materials.
According to the Australian national dental fee survey in 2020, the cost of crowns (both ceramic and porcelain) is up to $2,100 for a single tooth. On the other hand, a traditional bridge with two crowns can range between $4256 to $5763.
What Is The Lifespan Of Dental Bridges And Crowns?
On average, dental bridges can last up to 5 to 7 years. But with the right maintenance and good oral hygiene, they can last until 15 years, or sometimes more. Crowns can last 5 to 15 years, depending on the materials used. But with proper care, they can last for more than 15 years.
Which Treatment Is Better For Your Teeth?
The type of treatment for your teeth depends on your needs. Below are the ideal reasons why you need bridges or crowns:
Bridges
- You have one to four missing teeth and don’t want to wear dentures.
- You suffer from tooth loss, and you want to maintain the shape of your face.
- The gap between your teeth is visible when you smile, and you want to close it because it’s causing your remaining teeth to move into the space, resulting in bad bites.
- You have dental implants, and you want to have a dental bridge placed over them.
Crowns
- Your tooth is severely discoloured, and you want to improve its appearance.
- Your tooth is severely damaged, and it doesn’t have enough tooth structure, which makes you ineligible for bridges.
- You want to support a dental bridge.
- You have decayed teeth that cannot be mended with a filling.
- You have undergone a root canal treatment and want to protect your tooth from further damage.
- You want to protect a weakened tooth from breaking or keep it together if some parts are cracked.
- You want to cover a dental implant.
Final Thoughts
Dental bridges and crowns are two dental restoration treatments that can help you achieve a healthy smile. They have significant differences, but they both aim to improve the appearance and function of your teeth. In the end, it’s up to you and your dentist to decide which treatment can help address your dental concerns.
If you’re considering both procedures and want to know which fits your needs, call the team of dental professionals of Clear Choice Dental at 08 9345 0455 if you’re in the Yokine area or at 08 9452 8877 if you’re nearby Maddington.
When you book a consultation, one of the dentists at our clinic will assess the health of your mouth and teeth to determine which is better for your teeth. After figuring it out, they will discuss the process, its pros and cons, and what you should expect after the treatment. You can also know how much you can expect to spend.
FAQs
There are instances when dental bridges can damage your healthy teeth if they are not appropriately placed. If it is too big or too small, it can put unnecessary stress on your teeth and cause them to break. The healthy neighbouring teeth can also become permanently damaged because bridges require the reduction of their tooth structure to make room for the crowns. In addition, since it becomes harder to clean your teeth under the bridge, gum disease is more likely to occur.
Regardless of the type of bridge you need, dental bridges are made of different materials, including metal alloys (such as gold alloys), porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Before a bridge fits, your dentist needs to take an impression of your teeth. This will be used to make a model of your mouth, which the dental laboratory will use to make your bridge.
Patients can choose alternatives to traditional bridges, such as cantilever bridges, Maryland bridges, implant-supported bridges, dental implants and dentures.
