Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are fixed to the outer surface of the tooth to restore shape, strength, function and appearance. They encase a tooth that has been badly damaged or decayed and are cemented on to the surface of the teeth. Since dental crowns cover the entire visible aspect of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made out of porcelain, zirconia (a very hard ceramic), metal (a gold or other metal alloy), or a combination of both.

Your dentist may prescribe a crown to you to:

• Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Dental Bridges

Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, which may result in a bad bite. Dental bridges or dental implants offer the best means of improving smiles by filling in gaps or replacing missing teeth. Missing teeth can cause a change in occlusion (bite), shifting of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, an increased risk for periodontal disease and a greater chance of tooth decay.