A crown acts as a kind of artificial cap that encircles the remaining tooth structure 360 degrees. It therefore requires reducing the existing tooth, or building it up with a core after root canal treatment. The crown allows the tooth to continue functioning while reducing the risk of fracture of the remaining tooth structure – without compromising a natural, esthetic appearance.
A bridge is essentially several crown units joined together. A bridge can sometimes replace a missing tooth between two existing teeth (after an extraction, for example).
Today, crowns can be made from different materials, such as full zirconia, porcelain-layered zirconia, porcelain fused to metal and composite materials. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of crown type is made according to clinical considerations, together with the patient.
Dentures consist of artificial teeth attached to a base that is custom-fitted to the oral tissues. Restoring the dentition with dentures means a removable restoration that must be taken out at the end of each day.
Who is it suitable for?
Dentures are suitable for replacing extensive tooth loss. Today, with the marked increase in the use of dental implants, dentures are a less popular solution. However, there are cases in which implants are not possible – due to the patient’s complex medical background, medications they take, significant bone loss or financial considerations.
Dentures are custom-made for each patient through a meticulous process that combines the dentist’s clinical work with laboratory work.
The process takes several weeks, but provides a relatively quick solution for replacing extensive tooth loss.
