Bridges and Crowns
When a permanent tooth is lost, the neighboring teeth are affected. Because the support and chewing forces are altered, the remaining teeth will begin to shift. If the missing tooth is not replaced, more teeth will eventually be lost, due to the improper forces exerted during chewing. Crown and Bridge Treatment is a long-term method of replacing missing teeth.
A crown is placed on an individual tooth, where there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling. A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned, and are referred join the abutments. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics. Crowns and bridges are most often made from semi-precious metals, porcelain, or a combination or metal fused to porcelain. Both esthetics and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.