dental crowns & bridges

Dental crowns and bridges help to fill in any unsightly gaps in your teeth, either caused by a previous accident or the loss of one or more teeth to decay, gum disease or similar. Both dental crowns and dental bridges are designed to match your natural teeth, leaving you with a totally revitalized, 100 per cent natural-looking smile.

Dental Crowns: 

Unlike veneers, crowns are a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the entire tooth. Once cemented into place, the crown covers the entire tooth above the gum line. A suitable option when a large area of the tooth has been lost, as well as creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile, crowns restore teeth to their former shape, size and strength, and can protect teeth from breaking or cracking. Dental crowns may be a suitable option when there is a need to:

• Protect a weak tooth from breaking.
• Restore a broken tooth to its former shape and size
• Restore a tooth that has suffered from severe wear and has been diminished in size as a result
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling in it.
• To cover root canal treated teeth.
• Cover a tooth for cosmetic reasons
• Cover a Dental Implant

Dental Bridges:

A dental ‘bridge’ is a false prosthetic tooth or teeth that are used to fill in any gaps caused by missing teeth. Unlike more traditional removable dentures, bridges can be implanted inside the mouth, supported by the adjoining teeth, and can remain there for an indefinite period of time. Dental bridges can be tailored to your exact requirements, offering a truly bespoke option to restore your pearly whites to their former glory. Dental bridges may be a suitable option when:

• The patient wants a quick solution to fill an unsightly gap, particularly in cases where a front tooth is affected. Usually, a temporary bridge can be placed immediately after the loss of a tooth (either as a result of an accident or due to an extraction) and a permanent bridge fitted once the site has fully healed.
• The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are in good condition and strong enough to support the bridge.
• As an alternative to a dental implant due to an insufficient amount of bone, or bone that is lacking in strength, which means that an implant is not possible/ may be problematic. In such cases, a dental bridge is likely to be a superior solution.

There are different types of bridges that may be suitable according to each individual case:

• Traditional dental bridges: Consisting of one or more artificial teeth, the traditional bridge is held in place by dental crowns, which are cemented onto the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. In order to place the bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap need to be prepared by removing their enamel. This type of bridge is suitable when there are natural teeth on either side of the gap– these teeth must be whole and healthy in order to support the bridge.
• Cantilever bridges: similar to traditional bridges, the artificial tooth is held in place with a crown fitted to a single tooth on one side of the gap. This type of bridge is suitable in cases where only one tooth on the side of the gap is present or healthy enough to support the bridge.
• Maryland bridges: unlike the Traditional or Cantilever bridge, the Maryland bridge is fixed into place with a metal or porcelain framework that is bonded with adhesive resin to the back of the teeth on either side of the gap. This type of bridge has the advantage that no enamel needs to be removed from the adjacent teeth, but it is not as strong or long-lasting.
• Implant-supported bridges: when more than one tooth is missing, a bridge supported by dental implants may be the answer. In such cases, an implant is placed into each gap which serve to hold the bridge in place. In some cases, one false tooth can be suspended between two implants. This is a long-lasting and hardwearing solution. However, an implant-supported bridge is not the fastest option as it requires two dental surgeries over a period of around five months to complete.

How long do Dental Crowns and Bridges last?
Dental crowns and dental bridges can last from five to fifteen years. To keep your dental bridge or crown in the best condition and to extend its lifespan, we recommend scrupulous oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing, alongside regular dental checkups.

How much do Dental Crowns and Bridges cost?
For an accurate cost assessment, you will need to book an initial consultation with one of our dental surgeons. The cost of a crown or bridge will vary depending upon which procedure you opt for, how many teeth are affected and/or need to be replaced, and so on. Your dental surgeon will be able to give you an exact quote in line with your requirement and individual situation.