Crowns Vs. Bridges: What's the Difference and Which Option Is Best For You?

Tooth problems are common and have many causes, including gum disease (periodontitis), tooth erosion, injuries, oral cancer, and cavities. In fact, dental cavities are the second most common health problem nationally, next only to the common cold. 

Many tooth problems can lead to chipping or losing teeth, and when it does, you need to understand your options for repairing or replacing them.

Dental crowns and bridges are common methods for repairing teeth, but which option is best for your needs? Let’s explore this by examining what crowns and bridges are and the most common reasons you might need them.

If you live in the Richmond Hill, Georgia, area and you’re dealing with dental issues, Dr. Nils Anderson and his dedicated team at Village Dental can offer you the best treatment options.

Understanding dental crowns and bridges

Dental crowns are caps used to cover and protect damaged teeth and are made from various materials, such as resin, metal, ceramic, and porcelain. They are designed to look like natural teeth and prevent existing dental problems from worsening. 

Dental bridges are a type of dental restoration that replaces one or multiple teeth and are made from metals or porcelain. Missing multiple teeth not only affects your smile but can also determine what you can eat. Bridges alleviate both of those concerns.

Reasons to get a crown 

Crowns can protect teeth after root canals or if a tooth needs additional support. You can have a complete crown, an onlay, or ¾ crown to repair fractured or chipped teeth. 

Crowns are also the final part of a dental implant if you’re replacing a tooth completely, and they are often used to secure dental bridges. If you have a chipped, broken, fractured, or otherwise damaged tooth, a crown is likely the best choice. Crowns are sometimes combined with dental fillings.

Reasons to get a bridge 

Bridges are designed for replacing teeth and can be removable or permanent. There are several types, such as the traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges. If one or more teeth are missing or broken to the point where there’s very little left, a bridge is the better choice. 

Both crowns and bridges can improve the appearance of your teeth, but the key deciding factor is whether you need to treat a single tooth or more than one, along with the extent of the damage. In short, crowns repair a single tooth, while bridges replace one or more teeth.

Regardless of which method you choose, we can help and offer several solutions to improve your oral health. Make an appointment with Dr. Anderson and Village Dental today to get the best options for preserving your teeth.