Dealing with oral health issues is never fun, but you can rest assured that dentists have many restoration options to fix tooth decay, dental infections and severely broken teeth. Dental crowns and bridges are two popular restorations that you might need to end pain and restore your mouth’s functioning. Exploring how these two options differ can help you determine which one will work best for improving your oral health.

Are You Having a Root Canal?

Root canals are dental treatments that are designed to help preserve a tooth that is badly infected and causing severe pain. While this treatment can prevent an extraction, it can weaken the remaining tooth. A dentist will use a dental crown to cover up the tooth to prevent breakage. 

Are You Strengthening An Existing Tooth?

Dental crowns can also go on top of a tooth that is cracked or fractured. Putting a crown that is made from strong materials such as porcelain and special types of metal on top makes it less likely for the tooth to break in the future. You could need a crown after a large filling as well. A dental crown can be made from metallic materials to give it strength. Your dentist can also give you a tooth-colored crown that blends in with your smile. 

Do You Need to Replace One or More Missing Teeth?

A dental bridge is a type of restoration that replaces a tooth. A bridge typically involves placing crowns on the adjacent teeth of the gap left behind by a missing tooth. A prosthetic tooth sits between the crowns to fill in the gap. Bridges are designed to stay firmly in place as you eat and speak, and they may be a better alternative to dentures when you only have one or two missing teeth to replace. 

Are You Interested In A Dental Implant?

When you’re replacing a tooth, your dentist may give you the option of using a dental bridge vs. implant tooth replacement. An implant is a permanent tooth replacement option that uses a special metal post in your jawbone to hold a crown in place. 

You might prefer an implant if the adjacent teeth are in good condition and you’d rather not top them with crowns. Meanwhile, you may like the simplicity of a bridge for avoiding a surgical post placement. Either way, you can discuss these options with your dentist to figure out which works best for you.

Are You Experiencing Tooth Pain or Other Oral Health Problems?

Restorative dentistry is meant to correct serious oral health problems and provide people with relief from pain. Although it might not seem like a big deal to have a missing tooth, the truth is that opting out of replacing one can cause problems with eating and bone loss in your jaw. Leaving a broken or decayed tooth untreated can also lead to severe pain. Figuring out your best option for restoring a tooth prevents more issues from developing in the future.

Discover the Best Treatment Option For Your Smile

Both dental bridges and crowns can last for many years with proper care. But, it’s important to choose the right restoration to fit your specific needs. 

Schedule an appointment at Yardley Dental Arts to receive a professional dentist’s opinion on the best way to correct your smile.