According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common procedures for smiles aged 50 and older involve crowns and bridges. Globally, almost 110 million teeth are affected by dental crowns and bridges every year. About 85 percent of those crowns and bridges are metal-based and 15 percent ceramic-based.
Teeth which are fractured or heavily decayed can be restored using crowns. Made from gold or porcelain, crowns can also mask imperfections in tooth shape and color. Gold crowns, typically used on the back teeth, require less tooth reduction before placement. Porcelain crowns mimic the appearance and color of natural teeth. Crowns can serve as anchors for dental bridges for those smiles with missing teeth. A gap eventually causes the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty space, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance can also lead to gum disease and TMJ disorders. A bridge spans the gap. As with crowns, the bridge is fabricated using either porcelain or gold.
Contact us to discuss how a crown or bridge can help restore your smile. We will help you decide which material to use based on function, aesthetics and cost.