Mention the words “crowns” and “bridges,” and what do you automatically think of? If you’re like most people, you think, “Well, a king wears a crown on his head, and people drive their cars over bridges, to get from one side of land to the other, over water.” But if you’re a dentist or working with teeth, crowns and bridges mean something different!
Dental Crowns
In dentistry, a crown is essentially a cap placed over your existing tooth. It’s custom made to fit, and the actual crown is made of either porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns are used to cover up discolored teeth, correct misshapen or small teeth, replace missing teeth, support teeth with large fillings, or protect/restore chipped/cracked teeth. They’re also used to reinforce teeth that have had a root canal done. As you can tell, they’re quite versatile!
Dental Bridges
What about bridges? In dentistry, bridges are structures used to form a bridge over the space created by a missing tooth or teeth. They’re used when you’ve lost one or more teeth and you want to “bridge the gap” in order to keep your other teeth (and your jaw) healthy. Bridges prevent further tooth loss, reduce bone loss to the jaw, support the position of remaining teeth, fill in gaps in your smile, and, best of all, allow you to chew and speak normally.
Crowns and bridges are related dental procedures such that crowns fit over teeth to protect them and make them look good, while bridges replace missing teeth and make your smile look good. They’re kind of like dental cousins.
Genesee Dental serves people in Batavia, Genesee County, and beyond. Need crowns or bridges? Genesee Dental can do them. Our downtown Batavia office is open Mondays thru Fridays starting at 7:30am each morning. We offer exceptional care with a gentle touch. If you want more info, call 585-343-1113.