Dental crowns and bridges aim to repair damaged or missing teeth. A crown is a custom cap placed over a weakened tooth that may improve its strength and appearance, often after a root canal or fracture. A bridge replaces missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to nearby healthy teeth or implants.
Both options are designed to improve function, protect teeth, and enhance the smile, using durable materials like porcelain or ceramic for long-lasting results. For restorative dentistry care, visit your local dentist in Moonee Ponds today.
Crowns are a type of cosmetic dentistry that protects heavily worn, broken, or decayed teeth. Sometimes called ‘caps’, they slip over the existing tooth to completely wrap around the surface above the gum line. It’s like adding a protective layer over your natural teeth, instead of filling a smaller area.
You may be suitable if:
Although some people prefer to get dental fillings for convenience’s sake, they are not always designed to last. A large filling may seem like a quick, affordable option, but it’s at a greater risk of breaking apart from everyday use. In contrast, a crown provides stronger structural reinforcement for the long term.
We typically use porcelain, zirconia, or ceramic crowns, as they are typically durable and offer a pleasing aesthetic result. This makes them appropriate for front and back teeth alike. However, other materials are also available, such as gold. Depending on which tooth we’re addressing and your individual preferences, you may have an option when it comes to selecting your crown design material.
Each of our porcelain crowns is carefully matched to the shade of your adjacent teeth. That way, your crowns blend in with your smile.
Crowns usually last 10 to 15 years on average. Since they don’t change in colour, adjacent teeth may start to stand out over time as they become discoloured or worn. To help them last longer, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene.
The treatment is similar to having a filling done, although the procedure is a bit longer and can take up to an hour to complete. Your tooth is thoroughly numbed so that you don’t have to feel a thing. We also offer a variety of sedation and sleep dentistry options that may help you relax. Noise-cancelling headphones may make it easy to tune out your surroundings as you enjoy your favourite music or a movie.
A bridge looks like a crown, but it plays an entirely different purpose than covering a damaged tooth. Rather, bridges are used to fill in the gaps that are left by missing or extracted teeth. We can also place bridges on top of a pair of dental implants in lieu of wearing a removable partial denture.
Either end of a bridge rests on top of a tooth, just like a crown. But between them is a single ‘pontic’ crown or pair of crowns that are suspended across the open space in your bite.
Since crowns and bridges have a small margin that rests near your gums, it’s important to clean around them daily. Brush gently along your gum lines and floss each tooth near the gum lines. For bridges, use a threader to loop the floss underneath. Careful cleaning may help prevent recurring decay from forming around your new crowns.
If you tend to clench and grind your teeth at night, we recommend wearing a protective bite splint to avoid unnecessary wear or chipping in your crowns.
For more information on crowns and bridges in Moonee Ponds, request a consultation today at Future Dental Centre. Our experienced team is here to offer the personalised, compassionate care you need to find what may be right for you.
