Waterford MI team considers function, ongoing maintenance when discussing a dental crown or bridge to restore teeth

You can’t have a dental bridge without a crown. That said, crowns themselves are versatile. They may be used to:
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Cover a tooth weakened by a large filling
  • Restore tooth structure to badly-damaged, broken or misshapen teeth
  • Serve as the part of the tooth above the gum-line after root canal treatment
In the case of a bridge, crowns are placed over the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These crown-restored teeth serve as abutments to anchor the new tooth. In turn, these abutments effectively “bridge” the gap by securely holding the new tooth, known as a pontic, in place.

Any time a crown is placed, some amount of tooth structure must be removed, so the restoration has enough room to fit over the natural tooth.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that 500,000 implant procedures are being performed to replace missing teeth each year. Despite the increasing popularity of this modern alternative to conventional restorations, implants still reportedly make up 8 percent of tooth replacements following tooth extraction. Bridgework, by comparison, accounts for 17 percent of those procedures to replace missing teeth.

Dental bridges may be a preferred option for some of the following reasons:
  • The flexibility to choose a removable bridge (partial denture) for easier cleaning in the gap and of the neighboring teeth
  • If you have been missing teeth for some time, bone structure may be inadequate to support the implant
  • Health considerations such as the wellness of gum tissue may eliminate dental implants as an option for you, at least until your oral health can be restored
  • Dental implants are generally more costly due to the expense of the titanium used to make the implant, as well as the surgical procedure itself
Cleaning represents one of the biggest considerations with crowns alone or as part of a bridge. If your bridge isn’t removable, we can show you how to clean under the pontic to prevent decay and gum disease.

The Metropolitan Dental Center may recommend special types of floss or small brushes to use in hard-to-reach spaces, and can demonstrate how to use them effectively.

Still other considerations include the type of material used to make your crown or bridge. Options include porcelain, metal or porcelain over metal. Other options are available such as implant-supported bridges in which the bridge is attached to implants. For answers to all your dental crown and bridge questions in Waterford MI, call the MDC team at .

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