What’s the Difference Between a Dental Crown, Bridge and Implant?

For people who aren’t especially familiar with dentistry, dental terminology can be quite confusing.

Your dental professional will break down confusion and empower our patients to understand the state of their oral health and what each dental treatment involves, whether that’s restorative dentistry, Cosmetic dentistry or teeth whitening. When you visit a dental clinic, you’ll be met with friendly dentists who are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Patients commonly want to better understand prosthodontic treatment options. Prosthodontics is a specialised area of dentistry that involves using permanent and non-permanent dental restorations to improve the appearance and function of your smile.

If you have a missing or severely damaged tooth, your dental professional may recommend a crown, bridge or implant to help get your smile back to normal. If you have just lost a tooth, you should contact an emergency dentist immediately.

What is a dental implant

A dental implant is a screw-like structure that is surgically implanted into the jawbone where your missing tooth’s roots were originally located. The implant fuses with the bone, performing just like your previous tooth roots and ultimately holding a dental crown (artificial tooth) on top. Implants play an important role in providing a solid foundation for the crown. Many people seek out dental implants to improve the appearance of their smile, but they can also improve your ability to chew and help you to maintain your oral health.

To get a dental implant, you will need to visit your dentist and they will assess whether you are a suitable candidate for an implant.

What is a dental crown

As mentioned above, a dental crown is essentially a tooth-shaped “cap” that completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. A crown is often bonded to a tooth by dental cement. Thanks to modern technology, the crown can be custom-made to fit in with the natural appearance of your other teeth. It can drastically improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence.

What is a dental bridge

While similar to a dental implant (because they both help to replace missing teeth), a dental bridge is a different type of dental restoration. Bridges are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap in the teeth. This means they can ‘bridge’ the gap of one or more missing teeth. It is often recommended by dentists when you have several teeth that are decayed, damaged or missing.

A bridge fills in the gap and helps restore your bite, smile and oral health. Generally, you will need two healthy teeth on either side of your gap for a dental bridge to be appropriate and successful. They may also be used in conjunction with implants.

For more information, you can talk to Coastal Dental.