The short answer
A dental crown is a custom cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape and appearance. A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with an artificial tooth held by crowns on the neighboring teeth or on dental implants. Gentle Care Dentistry & Implants in Sierra Vista, AZ uses digital impressions to make crowns and bridges that fit precisely and match your smile.
Dental crowns
A crown covers the entire visible part of a tooth, like a helmet. It is the standard way to save a tooth that is too damaged for a filling to hold together. Common reasons for a crown include:
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- A tooth with a large, failing filling
- A back tooth that has had a root canal, which leaves it more brittle
- Teeth worn down by grinding
- A badly discolored or misshapen tooth, as part of cosmetic treatment
- The visible tooth on top of a dental implant
Crowns are made in tooth-colored materials matched to your natural shade. Digital impressions replace the trays of impression putty many people remember, which is more comfortable and captures the tooth precisely.
Dental bridges
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap. The replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to crowns placed on the teeth on either side. Once cemented, a bridge does not come out.
Replacing a missing tooth matters even when the gap does not show. Neighboring teeth tend to tip into the space and the opposing tooth can drift, which changes your bite and creates hard-to-clean areas.
Implant-supported bridges
When several teeth in a row are missing, implants can hold a bridge instead of natural teeth. This avoids crowning healthy neighbors and puts load back into the jawbone. It is often the most stable long-term option for larger gaps.
Caring for crowns and bridges
Crowns cannot decay, but the tooth underneath can, right at the edge where crown meets tooth. Brush twice a day and clean between teeth daily. Under a bridge, use floss threaders, a water flosser or small brushes to clean beneath the replacement tooth. Regular cleanings let the team catch problems early.
Call (520) 458-9460 if a tooth is cracked, sensitive to biting or has a filling that has broken.