309.764.7631 What is a Crown?
A crown is a cover or cap your dentist can put on a tooth in order to restore the tooth to its normal shape, size and function. Its purpose is to make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks. According to the American Dental Association, “A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold the filling. Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It’s also used to cover a dental implant.”
Do you need a Crown?
You may need a crown if you:
- Have a cavity that is too large for a filling
- Have a missing tooth and need a bridge
- Need to cover a dental implant
- Have a tooth that is cracked, worn down or weakened
- Have had root canal treatment; the crown will protect the restored tooth
- Want to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth and improve your smile
What is a Bridge?
A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It extends across an area that has no teeth and is typically made up of an artificial tooth fused between two crowns. The bridge is held firmly in place by your own teeth on each side of the missing one(s) or by dental implants. A bridge is permanent and cannot be removed.
Do you need a Bridge?
A missing tooth is serious. When one is missing the nearby teeth could tilt or drift to empty the space; teeth on the opposite jaw may shift up or down in the missing space, too. This can have a serious effect on your bite, cause stress to your teeth and jaw causing pain. Tilted teeth are also harder to clean, which can lead to decay.