Crowns and Bridges
Custom-made dental restorations – combining optimum function and aesthetics
Whether you’ve had a root canal, an injury, or are suffering with extensive tooth decay, crowns and bridges provide a strengthening solution that is also a cosmetic enhancement. At RESTORE we offer specialist restorative Dentistry. Our team includes a specialist in restorative dentistry, so you can feel confident that your crown or bridge procedure will be carried out to the highest standard, creating the exact result you want for your smile.
Crowns
Created using your dental impressions, crowns are custom-created to cap your existing tooth, match its shade and saving it from being extracted. If you have missing teeth, a dental bridge provides an ideal aesthetic solution, comprising a prosthetic tooth or teeth to bridge your gap, secured at each end by crowns.
Bridges
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false teeth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?
- Restore your smile
- Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
There are three main types of dental bridges:
- Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
- Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. This is not very common any more and is not recommended in the back of the mouth where it can put too much force on other teeth and damage them.
- Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Metal or porcelain wings often on just one side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
Dental bridges can last five to 15 years and even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.
How Do I Care for a Bridge?
It is important to keep remaining teeth healthy and strong as the success of the bridge (depending on the type selected) depends on the solid foundation offered by the surrounding teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash daily help prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
Need more information?
Visit our Specialist Prosthodontics & Restorative Dentistry page.
Meet our Specialist Restorative Dentists
To book your consultation please call 0121 445 3697.
Alternatively, complete our enquiry form and we will be in touch.