Cosmetic Bridge and Crowns

Cosmetic Bridges

Dental bridges help restore your smile and avoid you feeling self-conscious about any missing teeth. A dental bridge replaces the missing teeth gap with new non-removable false teeth. The bridge is fixed in place by attaching it to one or both teeth either side of the gap. Bridges can be a great alternative to implants and removable dentures.

Bridges can return your normal chewing function by replacing your missing tooth or teeth. This reduces the risk of overloading and damaging remaining teeth. Filling the gap with bridge pontic teeth is also important because, if the gap is not filled, the surrounding teeth might lean into the gap over time changing the way you bite and perhaps your facial looks.

Bridge Manufacturing and Installation

To design and fabricate a bridge, we usually first place a dental crown or ‘cap’ on both natural teeth either side of the gap, with a pontic (false tooth) in between them which fills the gap. Sometimes we can even fabricate your bridge so the pontic is attached to one natural tooth only, instead of two.

Bridges can be tooth-coloured for optimal aesthetics, made of metal, or a combination of both materials. Some bridge materials that we regularly choose include porcelain or ceramic, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM).

All crown and bridge materials have advantages and disadvantages. Which type is optimal for your teeth is determined by how your teeth meet (your occlusion), whether you grind your teeth, the amount and type of tooth structure remaining, and your cosmetic preferences. We will help guide your decision but consider the final choice is yours.

We usually require two appointments for bridges: the first will be to prepare the teeth next to the gap left by the missing tooth/teeth, and the second will be to try-in and issue the final lab-fabricated bridge. But don’t worry, most of the time, we will make you a tooth-coloured temporary bridge or a plate to make sure you continue shining your beautiful smile and to protect your teeth from sensitivity between the two visits.

Bridge Performance

Bridges can last a very long time, often many decades – as long as they are looked after. Otherwise the bridge remains intact and the crowned teeth are protected from decay, but the tooth structure underneath the crowns can develop gum disease or a cavity along the gum margin. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including brushing twice daily and flossing regularly, preserves your bridge integrity and aesthetics for many years. We also offer a five year warranty on all our crowns and bridges to ensure our patients’ satisfaction long-term.

Cosmetic Crowns

A dental crown or ‘cap’ is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth to improve appearance and the function of damaged, weakened, heavily filled, root-canal filled or cracked teeth. The treatment involves creating a strong cap that partially or completely covers the tooth restoring it to its normal shape, colour, size and function.

Crowns may be placed for several reasons. Usually the tooth has been broken, severely damaged by decay, or has cracks leading to poor aesthetics and risking the tooth failing or splitting while chewing. Crowns are used when a regular filling will not make the tooth strong enough long-term. Crowns are also used to improve appearances. They may be placed to cover misshapen or poorly discoloured teeth. Teeth that have a root-canal treatment benefit from having a crown as they are generally darker in colour and severely weakened. As such, a well-fabricated crown helps strengthen these teeth, restore their natural appearance, and minimises the risk of reinfection.

Crown Design and Placement

Crowns can be tooth-coloured for optimal aesthetics or made of metal. Some materials often used include porcelain (ceramic), zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or gold.

All crown materials have advantages and disadvantages. Which type is optimal for your teeth will be determined by how your teeth meet (your occlusion), whether you grind your teeth, the amount and type of tooth structure you have left, and your cosmetic preference. We will help guide you with your decision as we believe the final choice is yours.

We usually require two appointments for crowns: the first prepares the tooth, and the second will be to try-in and issue the final laboratory fabricated crown, which is manufactured between the two appointments. But don’t worry, you will have a tooth-coloured temporary crown on your tooth between the two visits to make sure you continue shining your beautiful smile and to protect your tooth from sensitivity.

Crown Performance

Crowns can last a very long time, often many decades – as long as they are looked after. In many cases, the crown remains protected from decay, but the tooth structure underneath can develop gum disease or a cavity along the gum margin. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including brushing twice daily and flossing regularly, preserves your crown integrity and aesthetics for many years. We also offer a five year warranty on all our crowns to ensure our patients’ satisfaction long-term.

Book in your consultation today to discuss crowns further!