By Rafael Mercado, DDS on February 28, 2021
Dental crowns and dental bridges are restorative treatments used to address a variety of dental issues. Dr. Rafael Mercado offers same-day dental crowns to provide immediate results so patients can enjoy restored dental function and improve aesthetics in a single visit.
Although both dental crowns and dental bridges improve oral health, they address different dental issues. Dr. Mercado determines when patients need dental crowns versus dental bridges at his dental practice in Castle Hills, TX. For more information on these dental restorations, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped restorations primarily used to preserve and restore damaged teeth. They may also be used to address certain aesthetic issues and improve the overall appearance of the smile.
Each dental crown is custom made to fit snugly over a damaged or flawed tooth. While crowns may be made of gold or porcelain fused to metal, Dr. Mercado offers all-porcelain dental crowns at his Castle Hills practice. These types of crowns provide some of the most natural-looking results.
Once the custom crown is fabricated, treatment is completed by checking the crown for fit followed by bonding the crown to the tooth.
Issues Treated with Dental Crowns
Dental crowns may be used to treat dental health problems or aesthetic issues. Some common uses for dental crowns include:
- Restoring the health and integrity of chipped, fractured, and broken teeth
- Restoring strength to teeth weakened by large fillings
- Capping a treated tooth to complete root canal therapy
- Restoring individual missing teeth when paired with dental implants
- Correcting the size or shape of teeth
- Masking severe dental discoloration
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are used to replace one tooth or multiple missing teeth. While there are several different types of dental bridges, one of the most common consists of two dental crowns joined by one or more artificial teeth.
This type of dental bridge is attached within the mouth by bonding the two dental crowns to the teeth closest to the space left by the missing tooth or teeth. Once in place, the dental bridge is able to fill the gap left by missing teeth, improving both dental function and appearance.
Deciding Which Treatment Is Right for You
Dental crowns and dental bridges can both improve the smile and restore dental function. Although the procedure for both is similar, both treatments address different dental issues. The treatment that is right for you will depend on your specific dental needs.
For example, unless paired with dental implants, dental crowns cannot replace missing teeth. Instead, they are generally used to repair damage, like chips or fractures, and to help preserve remaining tooth structure to prevent extraction. They may also be used to address aesthetic issues, such as tooth shape or size.
For those with missing teeth, dental bridges can be used to replace lost teeth and restore dental function.
Find Out Which Treatment Is Right for You
If you suffer from dental damage or are missing one or more teeth, a dental crown or bridge may be right for you. To find out which treatment is best for your needs, please call (210) 405-1257 or schedule a consultation online at our Castle Hills practice.