What Are Dental Crowns and Onlays?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap which gets placed over a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns are designed to emulate the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance, effectively protecting it from further damage. Onlays are a more conservative crown that can be used when less tooth structure is missing. Onlays are usually used on back teeth, while crowns can be used on front and back teeth.
When Are Crowns Recommended?
- To cover and strengthen a tooth that has been weakened by decay over time or a root canal.
- To restore a tooth that has been chipped, cracked, or worn down.
- To cover and support a tooth with a larger filling when there isn’t enough natural tooth structure left.
- To improve the appearance of a discoloured or misshapen tooth.
The Process:
- Dr. Macdonnell will prepare the tooth by removing any damaged or decayed areas.
- A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while your custom porcelain crown is being made.
- Once ready, the permanent crown is carefully fitted and bonded to your tooth for a secure, natural-looking result.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is often used to replace one or more missing teeth at once. It is made of one or more artificial teeth (called pontics) held in place by crowns that are attached to the remaining natural teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges restore your smile, maintain the proper alignment of your remaining teeth and prevent them from shifting.
When Are Bridges Recommended?
- To replace one or more missing teeth.
- To prevent other teeth from shifting into an empty space from a missing tooth or teeth, which can lead to bite issues.
- To restore your ability to comfortably chew and speak.
The Process:
- The natural teeth on either side of the gap are prepared for crowns.
- An impression is taken to create a custom bridge that matches your bite and natural teeth.
- The bridge is placed and adjusted for a perfect fit.
Crowns and Bridges FAQs
Dental crowns are custom-made, tooth-shaped caps that fit over damaged, weakened, decayed, or heavily restored teeth. They are designed to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, function, and appearance while helping protect it from further damage. Advance Dental Group offers customized crowns, bridges, and onlays to restore function and confidence.
Dental bridges are restorations used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge fills the gap with an artificial tooth and is typically supported by neighbouring teeth or dental implants. Bridges can help restore chewing ability, improve smile appearance, and prevent nearby teeth from shifting.
A crown is used to cover and protect an existing tooth that has been damaged or weakened. A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. In many cases, a bridge includes crowns on the supporting teeth with an artificial tooth attached between them.
A dental crown may be recommended if a tooth is cracked, broken, severely worn, weakened by a large filling, damaged by decay, or treated with a root canal. Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of a tooth or restore a dental implant.
A dental bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth and want a fixed replacement option. Replacing missing teeth can help improve chewing, speech, smile appearance, and bite stability.
A dental onlay is a more conservative restoration that can be used when less tooth structure is missing. Advance Dental Group describes onlays as more conservative than crowns and notes they are commonly used on back teeth.
Yes. Crowns and bridges are designed to be reliable, long-lasting restorations when properly cared for. Their lifespan depends on oral hygiene, bite pressure, grinding habits, diet, material choice, and regular dental visits.
Yes. Crowns and bridges are customized to match the shape, size, colour, and appearance of your natural teeth. The goal is to restore your smile in a way that looks balanced, natural, and comfortable.
The procedure is usually completed with local anesthetic to keep the area numb and comfortable. You may feel pressure during treatment, but it should not be painful. Some temporary sensitivity after treatment is normal and usually improves.
The timeline depends on the type of restoration and your treatment plan. Many crowns and bridges require at least two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions or scans, and another to place the final restoration.
Care for crowns and bridges by brushing twice daily, flossing every day, and keeping up with regular dental cleanings and exams. Bridges may require special flossing tools to clean underneath the artificial tooth.
Delaying treatment can allow a damaged tooth to crack further, decay to spread, or surrounding teeth to shift into the space left by a missing tooth. Treating the issue earlier can help protect your remaining teeth and avoid more complex dental work later.
