Dental Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and Bridges are restorative devices for missing or damaged teeth. These fixed prosthetic devices are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. Crowns and bridges can both be used to strengthen, protect, align, shape and improve the overall appearance of a patient’s teeth.

What is a crown?

Crowns are tooth-shaped dental caps that are cemented over an existing tooth. They’re used when a tooth shows signs of damage, such as discolouration, heavy cracks or if a filling has been lost.

What are the types of crowns?

Ceramic: These are completely tooth coloured & can blend in well to the adjacent teeth for maximum aesthetics

Porcelain fused to metal: This option uses porcelain fused over a metal base. It can provide good strength & aesthetics

Gold alloys: Gold is blended with other alloys to create a shiny & protective crown. Although not as aesthetic as the other options it provides excellent strength & durability, is great for posterior crowns & for use in patients who may grind their teeth.

When would I need a crown?

When a tooth is fractured or cracking:

Very sensitive teeth could be a sign of fractures or cracks that have occurred as a result of stress, wear & damage of teeth. A crown can be placed on such a tooth to help decrease the risk of fracture lines moving further into the tooth.

Protecting a heavily restored tooth:

As fillings are replaced, the amount of natural tooth structure decreases each time. This can put stress on the tooth & increase the risk of further fracture. Placement of a crown can help to strengthen the remaining tooth structure & increase the tooth’s longevity.

Cover and protect discoloured or worn teeth:

A discoloured or worn-down tooth can be unsightly. A dental crown can be constructed to restore your tooth to its former glory, it can also be used to hide imperfections in the alignment of the teeth.

To anchor a bridge:

A bridge is used to replace missing teeth. By crowning the teeth on either side of the space & fusing a crown in between we can span the gap. A bridge replaces the missing tooth & also covers and protects the remaining teeth. This can also be useful to help decrease the risk of tipping & movement we commonly see in the teeth adjacent to a missing tooth.

Following root canal treatment:

Root canal treatment involves the cleaning & shaping of infected root canals. After this the disinfected canals are filled with a rubber based material. A root filling is effectively a filling that is placed all the way to the tip of the root. Although important to do to keep the tooth, it can also weaken it & increase its risk of fracture. Dental crowns are recommended after root canal therapy to create a superior seal to prevent future re-infection and to ensure that the tooth is strong enough for many years to come. Feel free to visit our Root Canal Therapy Services page for more information.

 What is a Bridge?

Bridges are used to fill missing space that occurs when a tooth is lost. The use of and type of bridge will depend on the location of and the expected amount of force that will be put on the tooth over time. A bridge also serves as an excellent replacement option if the placement of implants is not possible.

A gap left by missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to rotate to fill that space. This isn’t good for the remaining teeth as they can become unattractive and more difficult to clean. A bridge can be fabricated for and cemented before that occurs, with the surrounding teeth acting as anchors for the bridge. The replacement tooth, (called the pontic), is connected to the crowns that anchor onto the adjacent teeth. A bridge can be made from all ceramic material, porcelain fused to metal or a gold alloy.

Our experienced dentists at Lyons Dental are happy to advise you on which option is best for you.

We can easily provide you with a quote for the treatment to be carried out and if you have appropriate dental cover you can check your rebate with your health fund before going ahead with treatment. At Lyons Dental we use HICAPS which allow us to get you your rebate at the time of your appointment, saving you the hassle of following this up yourself.