There are several types of dental crowns, each offering specific advantages:

• Porcelain Crowns: These provide a natural appearance, making them ideal for visible front teeth. They mimic the translucency of real teeth, giving a natural and aesthetic look. They are particularly suitable for patients seeking a cosmetic solution to damaged or discolored teeth.
• Zirconium Crowns: Known for their exceptional strength, zirconium crowns are ideal for both front and back teeth. They are highly resistant to wear and do not cause wear on opposing teeth, making them an excellent long-term solution for patients with strong chewing habits.
• Metal Crowns: These crowns are composed of gold, platinum, or other metal alloys. They are extremely durable and ideal for molars, where chewing forces are highest. Metal crowns rarely chip or break, though they lack the natural look of porcelain or ceramic crowns.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns: These crowns combine the durability of metal with the cosmetic benefits of porcelain, offering a balance between strength and appearance. The metal structure ensures longevity, while the porcelain overlay provides a natural look.
• Ceramic Crowns: All-ceramic crowns are typically used for front teeth due to their superior aesthetic properties. They are biocompatible, which means they won’t cause allergic reactions in patients sensitive to metals.

Stainless Steel Crowns: These are typically used for children as temporary solutions for primary teeth. They are durable and protect the tooth until it naturally falls out.

With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer. Their longevity depends on several factors:

• Material used: Crowns made from metal or zirconium tend to last longer than those made from porcelain or ceramic.
• Oral hygiene: Regular brushing and flossing around the crown or bridge can prevent decay and gum disease, both of which can compromise the health of the tooth or teeth beneath the crown or bridge.
• Diet: Avoid chewing on hard foods like ice, nuts, or hard candy, as these can damage the crown or bridge.

Teeth grinding: Patients with bruxism (teeth grinding) may wear down crowns more quickly. If you grind your teeth, using a mouthguard can help protect both your natural teeth and your crowns.

Dental crowns and bridges offer multiple benefits:

• Restoring tooth function: Crowns and bridges restore your ability to chew, speak, and bite properly, ensuring better oral functionality.
• Preserving jaw structure: Dental bridges prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into gaps left by missing teeth, helping to maintain the natural alignment of your bite and jaw.
• Enhancing appearance: Porcelain and ceramic crowns mimic the appearance of natural teeth, blending seamlessly with your smile and improving its aesthetic appeal.
• Strengthening weakened teeth: Crowns protect damaged or weakened teeth from further deterioration by providing a strong, protective cover.
• Preventing further decay: Crowns seal off the damaged part of a tooth, preventing bacteria from infiltrating and causing further tooth decay.

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For those who have lost one or more teeth, bridges help maintain facial structure and restore confidence by filling the gaps left by missing teeth.

The placement of a dental crown or bridge usually requires two visits:

• Initial Visit: Your dentist will first prepare the affected tooth (or teeth) by removing decay and reshaping the tooth to fit the crown or accommodate the bridge. An impression of your teeth will then be taken to ensure a custom fit. A temporary crown or bridge may be placed to protect the teeth while your permanent restoration is being created in a dental laboratory.

Second Visit: Once your permanent crown or bridge is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary restoration, check the fit and bite of the new crown or bridge, and make any necessary adjustments. The final restoration is then cemented into place with dental cement, ensuring a strong, durable bond.

While dental crowns and bridges are designed to be long-lasting, they can occasionally become loose or fall out due to various reasons:

• Decay under the crown: If the underlying tooth decays, it can cause the crown to loosen.
• Cement failure: Over time, the cement that holds the crown or bridge in place may weaken, leading to dislodgement.
• Trauma or injury: A strong impact to the face or mouth can cause a crown or bridge to dislodge.

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If your crown or bridge falls out, it’s important to contact your dentist immediately. In many cases, the crown can be recemented, but prompt care is essential to avoid damage to the underlying tooth or teeth.

Dental crowns and bridges require proper care, similar to natural teeth, to ensure longevity:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth and crowns clean.
• Floss daily, especially around the bridge and beneath it. Using a floss threader or specialized bridge floss can help remove plaque from under the bridge.
• Avoid hard foods like ice or hard candy that can crack or damage crowns and bridges.
• Use a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth. This will protect both your natural teeth and your crowns.

Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. This will ensure that your crowns and bridges are in good condition and that any potential issues are addressed early.

No, dental crowns and bridges cannot be whitened. Crowns are made from materials like porcelain, zirconium, or ceramic, which do not respond to whitening treatments. If your crown or bridge was matched to the color of your natural teeth when it was placed, and your natural teeth have since become stained or discolored, it’s important to whiten your natural teeth before placing a crown to ensure an even color match. If you’re unhappy with the color of your existing crown or bridge, replacement may be necessary to achieve the desired shade.

A dental crown is used to cover or "cap" a single damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. A crown can be used after a root canal, on a broken tooth, or over a dental implant.

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A dental bridge, on the other hand, is used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of two or more crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth or teeth in between. The bridge is anchored by the surrounding natural teeth or implants.

The cost of dental crowns and bridges varies depending on the materials used, the number of teeth involved, and the complexity of the procedure. On average:

• Dental crowns can cost between $800 and $1,500 per tooth.
• Dental bridges may range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the complexity and number of missing teeth.

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Factors influencing cost include:

• Material type: Crowns made from metal alloys are often less expensive than those made from porcelain or zirconia.
• Location: Where the crown or bridge is placed in the mouth (front teeth vs. back teeth) can impact the cost.
• Additional procedures: Treatments like root canals, implants, or bone grafting may increase the overall cost of treatment.

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Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost, particularly if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

You may need a dental crown if you have:

• A tooth that is cracked, broken, or weakened by a large filling.
• A tooth that has undergone a root canal and needs protection.
• A severely worn tooth caused by bruxism or other factors.
• A dental implant that needs a restoration.

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You may need a dental bridge if you are missing one or more teeth and want to restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. Bridges are also recommended if you want to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of place.