In dentistry, Crowns and Bridges are two restorative techniques that repair damaged or missing teeth. The procedure refers to the restoration of natural teeth that have been damaged, decayed or lost. The benefits of crown & bridge are they restore tooth function and appearance. The use of crowns and bridges also avoids shifting teeth that can happen after a tooth is lost. By maintaining or restoring the patient's bite and their smile the effects of the tooth damage or loss are reversed.

Crowns can be placed on teeth for any number of reasons. Your dentist may suggest a dental crown, an artificial replacement of the upper part of the tooth, to restore the function and look of the damaged one. The other most common reasons could be Root canal treatment, broken or fractured teeth, rampant decay, or to restore and complete an implant procedure. Crowns can be made from several different kinds of materials, and based on location, esthetics, and cost considerations, the right one to repair your damaged tooth can be selected.

In a situation when a patient has one or more missing teeth due to decay or an accident; a dental bridge may be utilized as replacement. This loss changes the look of your smile, your bite, and puts stress on surrounding teeth to compensate for the lost tooth. The missing tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth connected between two crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the adjacent teeth. These restorations are referred to as "fixed" dentistry as opposed to a restoration of missing teeth with a removable appliance or partial denture. At the initial consultation your dentist will determine where the cause of your tooth problems lies. If a tooth is damaged, fractured, or decayed beyond repair, a crown may be suggested. A crown is fabricated using an indirect procedure. If a tooth needs to be extracted, or has already been removed, a bridge may be the solution. A fixed bridge refers to a prosthesis that will span the area of a missing tooth, known as a pontic.

The material to be used is often an important decision to make as in the case of gold crowns. Gold crowns are made partially of gold. Porcelain and gold crowns are equally durable; the difference lies in the aesthetic appearance, where porcelain crowns were designed to match your natural teeth. An advantage of a gold crown, though, is the relatively minimal tooth reduction that needs to take place to support it. Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as precious metals (gold), semi-precious metals, porcelain, or a combination of metal fused to porcelain. The replacement tooth or tooth portion can be made from different types of material, such as a metal base covered with a layer of tooth-colored material (often porcelain), or all porcelain for those not wanting metal. Both aesthetics (appearance) and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.

A decision for a crown is made when the patient has a tooth that cannot be repaired with a filling, inlay or onlay. The reasons for such damage may lie in decay, accident, wear, or grinding when it can only be repaired with crowns. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive. It should be noted, however, that more conservative dental care techniques in cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, inlays, onlays, bonding, and bleaching have replaced some of the instances when crowns were used in the past to achieve esthetic goals.

When a patient has one or more teeth missing, the dentist may recommend a bridge. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to start leaning into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)disorders. The procedure for a bridge is almost exactly the same as the procedure for a crown. The main difference lies in the fact that more than one tooth will be prepped to receive the bridge. However, for your particular situation, a crown or a bridge may be the best and most cost efficient method of getting back a functional, attractive smile after tooth damage. Like crowns, bridges are also being used less often, as teeth implants are becoming a very popular (though expensive) means of replacing one or more lost teeth.

The advancement in dental technology is also a continuous process. New materials are available for crown and bridge treatment with India Dental Clinics! Completely metal free crowns and bridges have been developed for use in certain cases. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. This could be just one off dental treatment or a part of your full mouth reconstruction during your India dental tours.