Dental Crown
A crown is generally used to repair and protect an existing tooth that has been weakened, fractured, heavily restored, or treated with root canal therapy.
Custom Dental Crowns & Bridges in Aldershot, Burlington
Damaged and missing teeth can affect your comfort, appearance, and ability to chew. At Aldershot Village Dental, we provide custom dental crowns and bridges in Aldershot, Burlington, to help restore the strength, shape, and function of your smile.
A dental crown covers and protects a damaged or weakened tooth. A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using an artificial tooth supported by neighbouring teeth, dental implants, or another treatment design recommended by your dentist. Crowns and bridges are fixed restorations, which means they are secured in place and are not removed for daily cleaning.
Our dental team will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and existing dental work before recommending treatment. Your restoration will be planned around your oral health needs, the location of the affected tooth, and your long-term treatment goals.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made covering placed over the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth. It is designed to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Depending on your needs, a crown may be recommended to:
- Protect a tooth weakened by decay or a large filling
- Restore a cracked, broken, or severely worn tooth
- Protect a tooth following root canal treatment
- Support a dental bridge
- Improve the shape or appearance of a selected tooth
- Restore normal biting and chewing function
Crowns can be made from different dental materials, including ceramic, porcelain-based, metal, or a combination of materials. The appropriate option depends on the tooth’s location, the amount of biting pressure it receives, aesthetic considerations, and your dentist’s clinical assessment.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It contains an artificial replacement tooth, known as a pontic, that fills the open space. The bridge is typically supported by crowns placed on neighbouring teeth or, in some situations, by dental implants.
Replacing a missing tooth may help:
- Restore your ability to bite and chew
- Improve the appearance of your smile
- Support clearer speech
- Maintain the spacing between your teeth
- Reduce unwanted movement of neighbouring teeth
- Distribute biting forces more evenly
Not every missing tooth should be treated in the same way. Your dentist will evaluate the health of the neighbouring teeth, gums, supporting bone, and bite before determining whether a bridge, dental implant, partial denture, or another option may be appropriate.
Dental Crown vs. Dental Bridge: What Is the Difference?
Although crowns and bridges are both fixed dental restorations, they address different concerns.
Dental Bridge
A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or multiple adjacent teeth. It spans the open space and is supported by teeth or implants on either side of the gap.
A clinical examination and appropriate dental imaging are needed to determine which option is suitable for your oral health.
When Might You Need a Dental Crown?
Your Aldershot dentist may recommend a crown when there is not enough healthy tooth structure remaining for a regular filling to provide reliable support.
Common reasons for receiving a crown include:
A Cracked or Broken Tooth
A crown may cover and reinforce a tooth that has been weakened by a crack, fracture, dental injury, or extensive wear.
A Large or Failing Filling
Teeth with large fillings may have less natural structure remaining. A crown may help protect the weakened tooth when replacing the filling alone is not considered sufficient.
Significant Tooth Decay
After decay is removed, a crown may be recommended when substantial tooth structure has been lost.
Root Canal Treatment
A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may require a crown to protect the remaining tooth structure, particularly when the tooth is exposed to significant chewing pressure.
A Misshapen or Heavily Discoloured Tooth
In selected cases, a crown may be considered to improve the shape, proportion, or colour of a tooth. More conservative cosmetic treatments may also be explored when clinically appropriate.
When Might You Need a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge may be considered when one or more teeth are missing, and the surrounding teeth and gums can adequately support the restoration.
A bridge may help address:
- A gap caused by tooth loss or extraction
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Changes in speech
- Movement of teeth surrounding an open space
- Uneven pressure on the remaining teeth
- Concerns about the appearance of a missing tooth
Replacing a missing tooth may help maintain the spacing and alignment of the remaining teeth. However, successful treatment also depends on healthy supporting teeth and gums.
Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges
When appropriately planned and maintained, crowns and bridges may provide several functional and cosmetic benefits.
Restore Dental Function
Crowns can rebuild damaged teeth, while bridges can replace missing teeth. These restorations may make biting and chewing more comfortable.
Protect Weakened Teeth
A crown surrounds the visible portion of a compromised tooth and may reduce the risk of additional damage.
Improve the Appearance of Your Smile
Crowns and bridges can be designed to complement the colour, shape, and proportions of nearby teeth.
Support Your Bite
Replacing a missing tooth may help prevent nearby teeth from moving into the open space and disrupting the alignment of your bite.
Provide a Fixed Restorative Option
Unlike removable partial dentures, conventional crowns and bridges remain secured in the mouth during normal daily activities.
What to Expect During Crown or Bridge Treatment
The treatment process varies based on the type of restoration required, the health of the supporting teeth, and whether additional care is needed.
- 1.
Consultation and Examination
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and existing restorations. Dental X-rays or other diagnostic records may be recommended to assess the tooth roots and supporting bone.
Your dentist will explain the available options, expected benefits, material choices, limitations, and possible alternatives before treatment begins.
- 2.
Preparing the Tooth or Teeth
For a crown, the affected tooth is carefully shaped to create space for the restoration.
For a conventional bridge, the supporting teeth on either side of the gap are usually prepared to hold the crowns that anchor the replacement tooth.
- 3.
Impressions and Shade Selection
Impressions or digital records are obtained to help create a restoration that fits your tooth and bite. A shade is selected to coordinate with the surrounding teeth when a tooth-coloured material is being used.
- 4.
Temporary Restoration
A temporary crown or bridge may be placed while the permanent restoration is being made. This helps protect the prepared teeth and maintain their appearance and function between appointments.
- 5.
Final Placement
At the placement appointment, your dentist will evaluate the restoration’s fit, bite, shape, and appearance. Once the fit is confirmed, the crown or bridge is secured in place. Conventional crown and bridge treatment commonly requires more than one appointment, although the exact timeline depends on the individual case.
Caring for Your Crown or Dental Bridge
Crowns and bridges still require consistent oral hygiene. Although the restorative material cannot develop a cavity, decay can occur along the edge of a crown or bridge where it meets the natural tooth.
To care for your restoration:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss around crowns every day
- Clean underneath a bridge using floss threaders, interdental brushes, or another recommended cleaning aid
- Attend regular dental examinations and professional cleanings
- Avoid biting ice, hard candies, pens, or other hard objects
- Speak with your dentist if you clench or grind your teeth
- Contact the dental office if the restoration feels loose or your bite feels uneven
Good oral hygiene is especially important around a bridge because the supporting teeth and gums help maintain the stability of the restoration.
How Long Do Dental Crowns and Bridges Last?
The lifespan of a crown or bridge varies from person to person. It can be affected by:
- Daily brushing and interdental cleaning
- The health of the supporting teeth and gums
- Biting and chewing habits
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- The material used
- The location of the restoration
- Diet and cavity risk
- Regular dental examinations and maintenance
No dental restoration can be guaranteed to last for a specific number of years. Routine dental care allows your dentist to monitor the restoration and identify concerns before they become more extensive.
Dental Crowns, Bridges, or Implants: Which Option Is Right for You?
The most appropriate treatment depends on the condition of the affected tooth, the number of missing teeth, gum and bone health, and your preferences.
A dental crown may be appropriate when an existing tooth can be repaired and protected.
A dental bridge may be considered when a tooth is missing and the surrounding teeth can support a fixed restoration.
A dental implant may replace a missing tooth without using the neighbouring natural teeth as bridge supports. Implant treatment requires sufficient bone and healthy gum tissue and involves a different treatment process.
A removable partial denture may replace one or more missing teeth and can be removed for cleaning.
Your dentist can explain the advantages, limitations, costs, and expected maintenance associated with each option.
Your Local Choice for Restorative Dentistry in Aldershot: Aldershot Village Dental
Conveniently located for families across Halton Region, Aldershot Village Dental provides personalized restorative care for patients in Aldershot, downtown Burlington, and surrounding Waterdown communities. Whether you are commuting along the Plains Road East corridor or living near Lasalle Park, our clinic offers accessible, tailored scheduling for your restorative appointments.
When planning a crown or bridge, our focus is on:
- Preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible
- Supporting comfortable biting and chewing
- Selecting restorative materials based on clinical needs
- Creating a natural-looking result
- Explaining treatment options clearly
- Supporting the long-term maintenance of your restoration
Every patient and every tooth are different. A consultation allows our dental team to determine whether a crown, bridge, implant, filling, partial denture, or another treatment is appropriate for you.
Book a Dental Crown or Bridge Consultation in Aldershot
If you have a broken, weakened, heavily filled, or missing tooth, a dental crown or bridge may help restore your smile and dental function.
Contact Aldershot Village Dental to schedule a consultation for dental crowns and bridges in Aldershot, Burlington. Our dental team will examine the affected area, discuss your treatment options, and help you make an informed decision about your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns and Bridges
Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?
Local anesthetic is commonly used when preparing a tooth for a crown or bridge. This helps minimize discomfort during treatment. Some temporary sensitivity or tenderness may occur afterward. Contact your dentist if discomfort is severe, persists, or becomes worse.
How Many Appointments Are Needed for a Crown or Bridge?
Traditional crown and bridge treatment commonly involves at least two appointments. The first appointment may include tooth preparation, impressions, shade selection, and placement of a temporary restoration. The completed crown or bridge is evaluated and secured at a later appointment. The number and length of visits vary depending on the treatment.
Can a Crown Repair a Broken Tooth?
A crown may restore a broken tooth when enough healthy tooth structure remains to support the restoration. If the fracture extends deeply below the gumline or affects the root, another treatment may be necessary.
Do I Need a Crown After Root Canal Treatment?
A crown is frequently recommended after root canal treatment, particularly for back teeth that receive substantial chewing pressure. The recommendation depends on the location of the tooth, the amount of remaining structure, and your dentist’s assessment.
Can a Dental Bridge Replace More Than One Tooth?
A bridge may replace one or more adjacent missing teeth. The feasibility of treatment depends on the length of the gap and the health of the supporting teeth, gums, and bone.
Can You Get a Cavity Under a Crown or Bridge?
Yes. Decay can develop where the restoration meets the natural tooth. Daily brushing, flossing, cleaning beneath a bridge, and regular dental examinations can help protect the supporting teeth.
How Do I Clean Under a Dental Bridge?
You can clean underneath a bridge using a floss threader, bridge floss, interdental brush, or another tool recommended by your dental hygienist. Daily cleaning helps remove plaque and food from around the artificial tooth and supporting teeth.
Is a Dental Bridge Better Than a Dental Implant?
Neither treatment is best for every patient. A bridge is a fixed option supported by neighbouring teeth, while an implant is supported by a fixture placed in the jawbone. Treatment recommendations depend on oral health, supporting bone, neighbouring teeth, healing considerations, cost, and patient preferences.
What Happens If My Crown or Bridge Feels Loose?
Do not attempt to glue it back into place. Keep the restoration if it comes out, avoid chewing on the affected area, and contact your dental office promptly. The tooth and restoration should be evaluated to determine why it became loose.
Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Covered by Insurance?
Some dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for crowns or bridges when treatment meets the plan’s eligibility requirements. Coverage, deductibles, annual maximums, frequency limitations, and preauthorization rules vary. Ask the dental office for a treatment estimate that you can review with your insurance provider.
How Much Do Dental Crowns and Bridges Cost in Aldershot?
The cost depends on the type of restoration, material selected, number of teeth involved, complexity of treatment, and whether additional procedures are required. An examination is needed before an accurate treatment estimate can be provided.