When a tooth needs a crown
Every filling weakens the tooth around it. Once a tooth is heavily filled, cracked, or has had root canal treatment, it becomes vulnerable to splitting - and a tooth that splits below the gum usually cannot be saved.
A crown wraps the whole tooth and holds it together. It is most often recommended after root canal treatment on a back tooth, where chewing forces are highest.
Bridges
A bridge spans a gap using crowns on the teeth either side to carry a replacement tooth in the middle. It is fixed in place, so there is nothing to take out at night.
The trade-off is that the supporting teeth have to be prepared, which means removing healthy tooth structure. Where those teeth are already crowned or heavily filled, that is no great loss. Where they are pristine, an implant is often the better choice because it leaves them alone.
How it is made
The tooth is prepared, an impression taken, and a temporary fitted while the laboratory makes the permanent crown or bridge. At the fit appointment we check the bite, contact points and shade before cementing it.
