Dental crowns and bridgework are fixed prosthetic devices which are cemented onto existing teeth or implants.

A dental crown (or a cap) is used to cover a damaged tooth entirely. A crown not only offers extra strength to a damaged tooth, but it may also be used to improve the appearance, alignment and shape of the tooth. A crown can be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like structure and function in the mouth. Porcelain and ceramic crowns can be created to match the colour of the natural teeth.

A crown is recommended to:

• Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

A bridge is necessary if one or more teeth are missing. Gaps left by missing teeth cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders. Dental bridges literally “bridge” the space where a tooth is missing. It is cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.