If you have one or more missing teeth, you may recommend getting artificial replacements like dental crowns and bridges. These replacement teeth options do not just restore your missing teeth; they can also fix or prevent several other dental issues.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what crowns and bridges are and the dental problems your dentist can use them to fix.

What Is a Dental Crown and Bridge?

Dental Crown
Dental crowns (sometimes called “caps”) are false teeth that fit over an existing tooth to restore its look and strengthen or protect it from further damage. Dentists can also fuse them onto dental implants to replace a missing tooth and restore a patient’s smile.

Dental crowns come in different materials, including resin, porcelain, gold, and metals, and can be custom-made according to a patient’s requirements. Depending on the material used, the crown can be durable, strong, and matched to the color and texture of the existing teeth.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to restore one or more missing teeth between healthy adjacent teeth. Dental bridges are made with two crowns and a tooth bridge. These pieces rest on the gums and replace the missing tooth or teeth. The dentist cements these crowns on dental implants or existing teeth on either side of the gap to hold the bridge in place.

Dental bridges also come in different choices of material. However, the right one for you depends on your desires, financial situation, the teeth you’re replacing, and your dental practitioner’s preferences.

Issues Dental Crowns or Bridges Can Fix
Dental crowns and bridges are an excellent solution for various dental issues and can be vital in maintaining your oral health. Some of the problems crowns or bridges can fix, prevent, or manage include:

Treat Deep Cavities or Weak Large Fillings

If you have a large filling or deep decay (about half your tooth’s width or more), the bone in the area will be weak and more susceptible to fracture. Refilling the tooth would only be a temporary fix in a situation like this, as the teeth can crack or the cavity can worsen. Getting a dental crown will most likely fix the issue, protect your teeth from further damage, and prevent reoccurrence for years to come.

Cracked, Broken, or Chipped Tooth
Dental crowns are the only options for correcting and restoring the appearance of a chipped, cracked, broken, or severely damaged tooth that fillings, onlays, or veneers cannot fix. If the damaged tooth is in danger of falling apart, the crown will strengthen it, hold it in place, and prevent tooth infection.

Repair Enamel
Vigorous tooth brushing and consuming acidic drinks and foods can wear down your enamel. If your enamel is significantly eroded, you may experience tooth sensitivity and discoloration. Thankfully, crowns and bridges can help correct the issue and restore your tooth’s structure, size, and appearance.

Root Canal
If you’ve undergone a root canal treatment, you will likely need a crown to protect and strengthen your tooth or restore its functionality and structural integrity. A root canal typically weakens the tooth and increases the risk of breaking or cracking by leaving it hollowed.

Teeth Misalignment and Appearance Issues
The gaps in your teeth will not just dent your smile; they can also change the structure of your jawbone and face. Your teeth may also shift and lead to an unbalanced bite, increasing your risk for enamel erosion, gum disease, tooth decay, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Thankfully, with a dental crown or bridge, your dentist can fix your tooth’s appearance, correct misalignment issues, and restore the confidence in your smile.

Speech and Pronunciation Problems
Front teeth are essential for forming and pronouncing certain words or sounds. If missing teeth impairs your normal speech, getting a dental crown or bridge will help restore your teeth and fix your pronunciation issues.

Weak Tooth and Chewing Problems
Crowns and bridges strengthen the teeth and restore their biting and chewing pressure. They also prevent misalignment and distribute the chewing force equally to the adjacent teeth. That way, you’ll be able to eat or chew efficiently and avoid issues related to difficulty chewing.