Why are they confused?
Dental bridges and crowns are very similar to each other, so they are often confused, but once you understand the difference, they are easy to differentiate. The procedures for installing each of them are very alike and dental bridges even require the use of crowns. For each, one or more teeth are covered with a synthetic material.
These composites can include:
Ceramic – These are often used for restoring the front teeth and will blend to your tooth color.
Gold alloy – This type of crown is made from a mix of various metals like gold and copper.
Porcelain infused with metal – This crown will provide a strong bond to the tooth, and furthermore, it it will not fracture or wear away the tooth.
Base metal alloys – Because it is composed of non-noble metals, this crown highly resists corrosion and is very durable.
So what’s different?
If they are made out of the same stuff, then what is the difference between dental crowns and bridges? Crowns are used to mend a tooth, while bridges fully replace a missing tooth.
Your teeth possibly require a crown if one or more of them are discolored, poorly shaped, fractured, weak, or otherwise damaged. Your friendly dentist, Dr. Ajey Varma, will take a mold of your teeth and then send it into a dentistry lab where a crown will be constructed. The permanent crown will be cemented onto the tooth to fix your problem.
You may need a dental bridge if you have a missing tooth. Just like a crown, Dr. Ajey Varma will take an impression of your teeth and send it into a dentistry lab so they can form a bridge for your mouth. Anchor crowns will be placed on both sides of the missing tooth and a piece called pontiac tooth is snugly attached in between the crowns. It is all cemented in place and — Presto! You get a new glint to your grin forever.
To find the procedure that will suit your smile, call our Tacoma, Washington, practice at 253-752-6915.