A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. A tooth is usually required on either side of the space where the bridge is supported.
At the first appointment, the supporting teeth are altered for the bridge and a mold is made. A temporary plastic bridge is then made which is cemented in place until the final bridge has been made by a technician using the mold.
At the second appointment, the bridge is fitted into place, the color of the bridge, shape, and bite are checked before it is cemented into place.
Without a bridge, your other teeth can slowly shift out of their natural position, leading to potential future problems with your bite.
A crown, also called a cap, is a hollow, artificial tooth used to cover a damaged or decayed tooth. The crown restores the tooth and protects it from further damage. Crowns can also be used to cover a discolored or misshapen tooth.
A tooth that has been fixed with a crown looks and works very much like a natural tooth. Teeth can require crowns for a variety of reasons; fracture, decay, weak fillings, discoloration, esthetics, and some teeth with root canals.
A crown is placed over a tooth and therefore, a certain amount of the original tooth must be removed to provide space for the crown to restore the tooth to its proper size and shape