When you'd want a crown
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers the visible part of a tooth — restoring its strength, shape and appearance. We'll usually recommend one when:
- A filling would be too large to hold
- You've had root canal treatment (the tooth needs protecting)
- A tooth is fractured or weak and at risk of breaking
- You want to improve the appearance of a discoloured or oddly-shaped tooth
- An implant needs a crown placed on top of it
- A bridge needs anchor teeth on either side
When you'd want a bridge
A bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth using a row of joined crowns — one or more replacement teeth in the middle, supported by crowns on the healthy teeth either side (or on implants). Without something filling the gap, the surrounding teeth eventually shift or rotate into it, throwing your bite off.
Materials
Crowns and bridges come in porcelain, all-ceramic, gold, metal alloys, acrylic, and combinations of these. Porcelain looks the most natural and can be colour-matched precisely — perfect for front teeth. Metal alloy is incredibly strong and great for the back of the mouth where chewing forces are highest. We'll recommend what suits the tooth's location and your priorities.
Looking after them
Unlike removable dentures, fixed crowns and bridges need no special daily care — just brush and floss normally, with a little extra attention under bridges where they meet the gum.