What are dental crowns and bridges?
Dental crowns are customised caps placed over individual teeth, either to protect damaged teeth or to enhance their appearance (your teeth’s shape, size and colour can be optimised). A tooth crown can be made from metal, porcelain or ceramics, and you might know someone who has had a gold, stainless steel or zirconia crown procedure.
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth with false teeth, but instead of being implanted, these false teeth are kept in place by a bridge. This bridge is attached to your real teeth on either side of the gaps left by the missing teeth. They are permanent and are usually made from metal, porcelain or a combination of these two materials.
If you want a permanent solution to dentures, then dental crowns and bridges are the ideal solution. Crowns and most dental bridges are fixed in place and can be cleaned naturally without removing them.
What is a temporary crown?
Permeant dental crowns take a few weeks to be made to your specifications, so you will be fitted with a temporary crown in the meantime. This protects your tooth from further damage and gives you a nice smile, while you are waiting for your customised crown to be created.
Five Benefits of dental crowns and bridges
If you have suffered with damaged, missing or misshapen teeth, you will appreciate the following benefits that dental crowns and bridges can bring to your life.
- Improve your self-confidence and make you smile again.
- Close the gaps between your teeth, improving your self-esteem.
- Minimise the movement of adjacent teeth, due to smaller gaps between the teeth.
- Optimise your bite and help you chew correctly.
- Speak normally again.
Three different types
of dental crowns and bridges
There are three different types of dental crowns and bridges (traditional, cantilever, or resin-bonded). Which of these is best for your situation will be decided during the initial consultation with your dentist.
Traditional
bridge and crowns
This is the most popular type of setup, as it’s ideal for covering a single missing tooth. Essentially, a tooth crown is fitted to each tooth either side of the missing tooth and a false tooth is held in place across the gap with a bridge.
Cantilever
bridge and crown
This version is used when there is only one natural tooth next to the missing tooth. The bridge and false tooth is therefore, only held in place by one or two dental crowns on the same side of the gap. It’s best used when the crown isn’t exposed to a lot of pressure when you bite down.
Resin-bonded
bridge and crown
Also known as Maryland dental bridges, these rely on a composite resin cement, porcelain or a metal wing to keep the tooth crown in place (the resin, cement or wing can be attached to an adjacent tooth). They are best used to correct a shallow overbite with no mobility in adjacent teeth.
What is the cost of a dental crown?
A dental crown will cost anything from $1400 upwards. These costs are due to the uniqueness of each crown, as each is customised to your specific needs. Whilst the cost of a tooth crown might be a sizable financial investment, it’s worth every dollar when you can smile again with confidence!
What is the cost of a dental bridge?
A dental bridge will cost anything from $2400 from upwards. For example, a two-unit cantilever bridge (Crown + Pontic) can cost from $2400, a three-unit bridge (2 Crowns + Pontic) can cost from $3800 upto $4600. These costs are due to the precision of the bridge and crown that's needed to ensure a comfortable longterm fit.
Tips for keeping your teeth healthy to avoid dental crowns and bridges
To keep your teeth looking sparkling clean and healthy, clean them twice a day and floss at least daily; don’t forget a six-monthly check-up with your dentist.
