Crowns and bridges are fixed restorations on the existing teeth or implants which are either cemented or bonded to the underlying tooth.

A crown commonly known as a “cap” restores and strengthens the broken or damaged tooth. They are mainly recommended after a root canal therapy as the tooth loses its life and becomes extremely brittle and thus significantly weaker. We therefore advise a cap after a RCT to prevent any fracture of the weakened tooth.

A tooth with an extensive filling or a badly worn down tooth may also require a cap to get its proper shape and morphology back for better function in your mouth.

A bridge on the other hand is used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining the artificial tooth to the adjacent natural teeth or implants.

Different types of crowns/bridges

• Porcelain fused to metal(PFM): These are very widely used restorations and give your tooth a natural shape and appearance, with a few limitations. Because of the presence of metal underneath the porcelain, it results in an opaque appearance compared to the natural teeth which are more translucent and allows transmission of light. So it is impossible to recreate life like appearance of the natural teeth in these restorations.
  These restorations also show a black line at the gum level because of the presence of metal underneath. This black line may not be present at the time of fixing the crown/bridge but may appear as the gum recedes especially if the gum tissue is thin.
• All Ceramic (Zirconia, Alumina, Glass ceramics): These restorations are very esthetic and give life-like appearance to your artificial teeth. They can match exactly like the adjacent teeth in color, form, texture and translucency. A highly polished ceramic is extremely friendly with the gums. It has been seen the gums rarely recede in proximity to all ceramic restorations resulting in a healthy environment. Your perfect smile lasts longer with all-ceramic crowns/bridges.
  Yet another benefit with all ceramics (Emax) is it gets bonded with the strongest layer of tooth which is enamel with a special glue material which strengthens the tooth further compared to the regular cementation protocols in PFMs.
• Ceramic Inlays/Onlays: This is a variant of an All-Ceramic crown. It is kind of tiny ceramic block which is bonded to the broken or root canal treated tooth without prepping the tooth all round 3600. It is a more conservative approach and leaves the tooth strong.
• Fibre reinforced crowns/bridges: In case of emergency when your existing bridge has come off or you lost a front tooth due to a fall, we can quick fix the situation and give you an artificial tooth at the same appointment by the special fibre- reinforced bridges. You can go to office next day or attend that important meeting without any embarrassment.

These bridges are mainly composites and can last you till you get time to come to us for a more permanent solution.

How long do the crowns and bridges last?

Crowns and bridges usually serve for 10-12 years but may stay perfect in your mouth for the life time also if cared for. One way to increase its longevity is practicing good oral hygiene at home and also visiting us for a prophylactic follow up.

Do I have to take any precautions after fixing crowns/bridges in my mouth?

Not really, you can eat almost anything to everything with your new teeth. However, having too much of sticky food like chewing gums, chikki etc. may loosen the new caps but it is not a matter of great concern as these restorations can be cemented back by us at our clinic.