Dental crowns, bridges and dentures: which do you need?

In short: dental prosthetics restore teeth that are broken, weak or missing. A crown covers an existing tooth to protect it, a bridge replaces a missing tooth by resting on the teeth beside it, and a denture replaces several teeth or a whole jaw. The right choice is made after an examination and X-rays.

Crowns

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap fitted over a weak tooth to protect it and restore its shape. It is usually needed:

• after a root canal in some cases on a back tooth, because the tooth becomes weaker and may crack;
• for a broken tooth, or one with a very large filling;
• to improve a discoloured or misshapen tooth;
• on top of a dental implant, to make it look and work like a natural tooth.

Materials

• Zirconia: very strong, with a natural-looking colour; suits front and back teeth.
• E-max: highly translucent and very natural-looking; best suited to front teeth.
• Porcelain fused to metal: an older, more economical option.

The dentist chooses the material according to the tooth's position, your bite and your budget.

Bridges

When a tooth is missing, a bridge replaces it by resting on the teeth either side: those teeth are prepared and crowned, and the crowns are joined to an artificial tooth in the middle. A bridge is fixed (it doesn't come out) and takes less time than an implant, but it means preparing healthy teeth. That is why an implant is sometimes the better choice — your dentist will explain the difference in your case.

Dentures

• Partial removable denture: replaces a few teeth and clips onto the remaining ones.
• Complete denture: for a jaw with no teeth.
• Implant-supported denture: held on a small number of implants, so it is far more stable and comfortable for eating and speaking.

How does treatment go?

1. Examination and X-rays to check that the roots and gums are healthy.
2. Preparing the tooth, or the jaw, depending on the type of prosthesis.
3. Taking an impression — usually with a temporary crown until the final one is ready.
4. A try-in to adjust the bite and colour, then fitting.

Looking after your prosthesis

• Brush twice a day, and use floss or an interdental brush under bridges.
• Don't crack hard things with your teeth.
• Take removable dentures out to clean them every day, and keep them in water overnight.
• See your dentist every six months.

The crown itself can't decay, but the tooth underneath can, at the edge, if cleaning is poor.

If you have a broken or missing tooth, book a consultation at our 6th of October branch or El Saff branch and the dentist will recommend the right option.