How Can Dental Crowns & Bridges Save Your Smile

Having a smile you are proud of is something that can help you boost your confidence. Each one of us is different, and so are our smiles. But for people who are self-conscious about how they look with chipped or damaged teeth, the solution they might be looking for could be crowns & bridges.
 
But how exactly can dental crowns and bridges help you save your smile or get you to smile again? Let’s tackle that in this article.

Getting to Know Crowns & Bridges

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns act as little caps that are put on top of a tooth. Funny as it may sound, the purpose of these crowns is to cover and protect the damaged tooth. Typically, crowns are custom-made so they fit snugly over your existing tooth, providing strength, durability, and an improved appearance.

When your dentist recommends you get a crown, the reason behind this could be for:

  • Protecting a weakened tooth from breaking
  • Restoring an already broken or severely worn-down tooth
  • Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling
  • Holding a dental bridge in place
  • Covering misshaped or severely discoloured teeth
  • Capping a dental implant

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of artificial teeth (pontics) anchored by dental crowns on the adjacent healthy teeth (abutments). This structure effectively “bridges” the gap created by missing teeth, restoring your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently.

The pontics can either be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. With these materials and proper maintenance, bridges can last for a long time.

The Difference Between Crowns and Bridges

Both crowns and bridges can restore your smile and provide functionality. But these restorative solutions also have some differences between them:

  • Purpose: Crowns are used to cover damaged teeth, while bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth.
  • Structure: A crown covers a single tooth, while a bridge spans the gap between two teeth, using the crowns as anchors.
  • Function: Crowns protect and restore teeth, enhancing their strength and appearance. Bridges replace missing teeth, maintaining the alignment and integrity of your bite.
  • Materials: Dental crowns and bridges are typically made from porcelain fused to metal (PFM) or zirconia. PFM crowns offer a natural look and durability, while zirconia is a good choice for patients with metal allergies. The additional pontics on the bridges are typically made with porcelain to mimic the teeth.


Getting to know each one’s differences can help you pick the right dental restoration for your needs.

How Crowns & Bridges Save Your Smile

Now that you have a clear understanding of what dental crowns and bridges are,
here’s how crowns and bridges can save your teeth and smile.

Restoring Functionality

One of the most significant benefits of dental crowns and bridges is the restoration of functionality. Having damaged or missing teeth can make it difficult for you to chew and speak properly. With crowns, they can help strengthen and protect weakened teeth. They can make it easier for you to chew your food and communicate effectively.
If you are looking to fill in the gaps between your teeth, bridges are a great alternative. They ensure that your bite remains functional and your teeth stay aligned.

Enhancing Aesthetics

One of the main concerns when it comes to teeth are people’s worries regarding their appearance when they smile. When making your dental crowns and bridges, they are designed to match the colour, size, and shape, keeping the look of your natural teeth in mind. Therefore, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.

Whether you have a chipped, cracked, or missing tooth, these restorations can significantly improve your smile’s appearance.

Preventing Further Damage

Leaving damaged or missing teeth untreated can lead to further dental issues. For instance, a cracked tooth. If you ignore this, it can worsen over time and potentially lead to infection or tooth loss. The same goes if you have gaps from missing teeth. Over time, this can cause neighbouring teeth to shift out of place, leading to bite problems and additional tooth loss.

With the help of dental crowns and bridges, these issues can be addressed early on to protect your compromised teeth and maintain proper alignment.

Improving Oral Health

Crowns and bridges contribute to better oral health by stopping the effects of tooth damage and loss. Covering and protecting damaged teeth with crowns can reduce the risk of decay and infection.

Filling the gaps with bridges prevents the remaining teeth from shifting into a bad place. It can also reduce the risk of periodontal disease, which can occur when teeth move out of their proper positions.

Save Your Smile,
Enhance Your Confidence

Dental crowns and bridges are great dental solutions to save the functionality and appearance of your teeth. Any of the two can help you keep your smile, whether you have a damaged tooth that needs protection or a gap that needs filling. Moreover, knowing each one’s differences and benefits will make you more aware of the choices you have to make for your dental health.

For a dental crown or bridge treatment, be sure to get them only from the professionals at Dentist Near Me Toongabbie. Located at the heart of Toongabbie, our team of experienced dentists can help restore your teeth that need saving.
Contact us at (02) 7905 0814 or book your dental appointment online.