Restorative dentistry provides patients with many great solutions to address both health and aesthetic concerns about their smile. If you damage one or more of your teeth, Rio Vista Family Dentistry is here to help you access exceptional treatment plans that will get your oral health back on track and restore your smile!
We have several types of dental restoration available, and if you’ve been doing your own research, you likely have lots of questions about the benefits of different procedures. In our practice, we often get this question:
Should I get a bridge or a crown? Find the answer in this short blog post.
What Are Bridges and Crowns?
They are both a type of dental prosthetics designed to help patients improve their oral health. Both crowns and bridges are permanent prosthetics, meaning they will get cemented into the patient’s mouth, so they are considered permanent and fixed procedures. This is different from dentures, for instance, which are removable and need to be taken out and cleaned every day.
With crowns and bridges, you will clean these prosthetics just as you do your natural teeth, through brushing and flossing.
What Is the Difference Between a Dental Crown and a Bridge?
A dental crown is designed to go over one tooth, while a bridge can be created to protect 2 or free teeth at the same time.
For instance, if you have a tooth infection and the dentist needs to remove a lot of the tissue, you may need just one dental crown to go on top of the natural tooth to restore its function. But, if your surrounding teeth are also damaged, the dentist may recommend a bridging instead of multiple individual crowns.
What Are These Prosthetics for?
Dental crowns and bridges are a great way to address a variety of dental health concerns:
- Replacing a large filling
- Covering an implant
- Restoring a cracked or fractured tooth
- Restoring the full function of a tooth after a root canal, etc.
Do I Need a Crown or a Bridge?
It really depends on your specific case. If you book an appointment at Rio Vista Family Dentistry, our dentist will examine your current oral health to determine the best course of action for you, which could include crowns, bridges, or other restorative procedures that can help your oral health get back on track.
But in general, you will need a crown if you have only one damaged tooth, or if the teeth are located far from each other. If you have multiple damaged teeth located next to one another, then a bridge is most like the better option for your case.
Stop by Rio Vista Family Dentistry
Dr. Joy Bonifacio Lockwood, Dr. Raquel Reyes, and Dr. Patricia Campillo are here to help address all your oral health needs.
