Crown and bridge restoration is a form of restorative dentistry designed to repair damaged teeth and replace missing teeth. A dental crown covers a prepared tooth and helps restore its shape, strength, and function. A dental bridge fills the space created by one or more missing teeth and uses supporting structures to hold the replacement teeth in place.
At Elite Dental Group, treatment begins with an examination of your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. This allows us to determine whether a crown, bridge, implant supported restoration, or another treatment may be more appropriate for your situation.
When Might You Need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown may be recommended when a tooth has lost too much natural structure to be safely restored with a regular filling. Teeth can become weakened because of deep decay, cracks, fractures, large fillings, trauma, or previous dental procedures.
For some patients, a crown is also recommended after root canal treatment to provide additional protection. In other situations, a crown may improve the shape or appearance of a tooth while restoring its function. The right treatment depends on the condition of the tooth and how much healthy structure remains.
Crowns for Cracked or Broken Teeth
A cracked or broken tooth can become more vulnerable to additional damage, especially when it is exposed to normal chewing pressure. When enough healthy tooth structure remains, a crown can cover and protect the tooth while restoring its ability to function.
Crowns for Severely Decayed Teeth
Deep decay can weaken a tooth to the point where a filling may not provide enough support. After the decay is removed and the tooth is evaluated, a crown may help rebuild the tooth and protect the remaining structure.
Crowns After Root Canal Treatment
A tooth that has received root canal treatment may need additional protection because of the amount of tooth structure that has been removed or weakened. Depending on the tooth, a crown may help protect it from everyday chewing forces.