What are dental crowns and bridges?

Our team at Stone Ridge Family Dentistry in Aldie and South Riding, Virginia, offers both dental crowns and bridges to help restore the smile. Let’s talk briefly about their similarities and differences to understand their purpose in restorative dentistry better!

• Dental crowns – A dental crown is described as a restoration made of porcelain that covers the visible portion of a tooth to add an extra layer of strength and durability to the natural tooth. These “tooth caps” can also be used over dental implants to replace a single tooth. The versatility of dental crowns makes them a common restoration used at Stone Ridge Family Dentistry. Patients with dental insurance will often have most or all of the cost covered in many situations.
• Dental bridges – On the other hand, a bridge is a restoration used strictly to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges are also made of porcelain, just like dental crowns, but include crowns and false teeth called pontics connected together to create a singular restoration. Dental bridges are a great way to essentially “bridge the gap” to replace one tooth or several teeth in a row, and there are different types of dental bridges that may be created to fit one’s needs. They are a fixed restoration, unlike a partial denture which can be removed and put back into the mouth by the patient.

When might I need a dental crown?

Ceramic dental crowns are a typical restoration used in most dental offices and are designed to provide protection. This is often recommended in the following situations:

• A tooth has an extremely large cavity that has its structure compromised. A dental crown can be placed over this tooth to keep it from breaking.
• A patient has a dental implant placed to replace a single missing or extracted tooth. The crown is placed over the abutment of the implant itself to restore the function and appearance of the smile after tooth loss.
• A patient has had a root canal or endodontic therapy, which can compromise the tooth and leave it weak and brittle. The crown offers strength to protect the remaining structure of the tooth.

Call Stone Ridge Family Dentistry today to request an evaluation to learn more about these dental restorations!

Dental crowns and bridges are essential for many of our patients and can be obtained with our team in Aldie and South Riding, VA. Call (703) 327-0190 to request a visit to 24585 Stone Carver Drive, Suite #225, to find out if you are a proper candidate for these dental restorations.