Crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic dental treatments used to restore damaged, weakened, or missing teeth. A crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance, while a bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the adjacent natural teeth or implants.
Crowns are typically recommended for teeth that are fractured, severely decayed, root canal-treated, or misshaped. They can be made from various materials such as porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination, chosen based on the tooth's location and aesthetic needs.
Bridges are used when a tooth is missing. The teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutments, are prepared to support the bridge. A false tooth (pontic) is then placed in the gap and attached to the crowns on the abutment teeth, creating a seamless and functional replacement.
Crowns and bridges not only improve appearance but also restore proper chewing function, speech clarity, and prevent other teeth from shifting out of place.
