Dental Crown vs. Bridge: Understanding the Difference
Dental Crowns BridgesIf you have a damaged or missing tooth, your dentist has likely mentioned crowns or bridges. While they are often grouped together in restorative dentistry, they serve distinct purposes. Understanding the difference can help you feel more confident in your treatment plan.
What is a Dental Crown?
Think of a crown as a 'cap' or a helmet for your tooth. It is used when a single tooth is damaged but still has a healthy root.
- Purpose: To strengthen and protect a weak tooth.
- Common Uses: After a root canal, to fix a large cavity, or to repair a cracked tooth.
- The Process: The dentist files down the damaged tooth and cements the custom-made cap over it.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is used to replace one or more *missing* teeth. It literally 'bridges' the gap created by a lost tooth.
- Purpose: To fill an empty space and prevent other teeth from shifting.
- Structure: It typically consists of two crowns (placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap) with an artificial tooth (pontic) suspended in between them.
- The Process: The two neighboring teeth are filed down to serve as anchors for the bridge.
Which One Do You Need?
If you have a damaged tooth that is still in your mouth, you need a **Crown**. If you have a gap where a tooth used to be, you need a **Bridge** (or a dental implant).