How Long Does a Crown Bridge Last?

What Is a Crown Bridge?

Often, people mistake one dental appliance for another. Ideally, a crown and a bridge are different dental restorations in dentistry, usually serving different roles.

A crown, also known as a dental cap, is an oral restoration that covers the exterior of a tooth to strengthen it or improve its appearance. It functions as a substitute for damaged tooth enamel. A bridge, on the other hand, is an oral restoration for replacing missing teeth. Ideally, a dental bridge features one or two crowns and an artificial replacement tooth. Therefore, many people call this dental restoration a crown bridge.

A crown and bridge are only similar when considering their materials. The most popular dental bridges and crowns feature porcelain, a sturdy tooth-colored material that blends well with natural teeth. Further, dental bridges incorporate crowns in replacing teeth.

How Does a Dental Bridge Work?

A traditional dental bridge comprises two dental caps and an artificial replacement tooth called a pontic. Ideally, the crowns hold the pontic in place, anchored to the adjacent teeth on either side. Depending on the type of bridgework and the number of missing teeth, you can have one crown and a pontic or two dental crowns in Palm coast and up to three pontics.

Can I Get A Crown Instead of A Bridge?

Whether a dental crown or a bridge is the best option for you will depend on the specific condition of your teeth and the reason for the restoration. In general, dentists in Palm Coast use dental crowns to cover a single damaged or decayed tooth, while a dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. As such, these dental restorations do not serve similar purposes in dentistry. Therefore, they cannot be interchanged to treat the same oral problem. Instead, a dentist near you will evaluate your oral cavity to determine whether you need a crown or dental bridge.

If only one tooth is broken, infected, or damaged, your dentist in 32164 will place a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure to protect it and restore its function. The dental crown will also improve the appearance of a damaged tooth.

On the other hand, if you have one or more lost teeth, a dental bridge will be ideal to replace them. A bridge uses adjacent teeth as support to replace the missing teeth with a pontic. For this treatment, you need two healthy adjacent teeth. If not, a dentist at Palm Coast Family Dentistry may need to install dental implants into the jawbone to support a crown or bridge.

Consider the number of missing teeth when deciding whether a dental crown or bridge is ideal. Usually, a crown can help replace a missing tooth if you get a dental implant first.

Are Dental Bridges Worth It?

A dental bridge is a reliable and effective way to replace missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics to the patient’s smile. Some of the factors that make Dr. Trejos recommend dental bridges to patients are:

1. Dental bridges restore the appearance of your smile by filling gaps where teeth are missing.
2. Improve speech – missing teeth affect your speech and word pronunciation. A dental bridge can help you speak more clearly.
3. Restore chewing function – dental bridges restore your ability to chew well and make it easier to eat a wider range of foods.
4. Prevent shifting of teeth – a gap in your teeth allows room for the surrounding teeth to shift and become misaligned. A dental bridge can prevent this from happening.
5. Maintain facial structure – missing teeth cause your face to sag and lose fullness, making you look older. A dental bridge can help maintain your facial structure and restore youthfulness.
6. Easy maintenance – dental bridges are easy to care for and can be maintained with regular brushing and flossing.
7. Durable – with proper care, dental bridges can last 7-10 years, making them a long-term solution for missing teeth. Actually, some people have had dental bridges last longer than 10 years due to excellent maintenance after treatment.