Restorative
Crowns and Bridges
A crown rebuilds a damaged tooth in full. A bridge closes a gap using the teeth on either side. Both are planned from a digital scan rather than an impression tray.
What it is
A crown covers the whole tooth. It is used when a tooth is cracked, heavily filled, or has had root canal treatment, and it protects what is left from splitting under load.
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining to the teeth beside the gap. It is fixed in place, so it is not removed for cleaning, though it is cleaned differently from a natural tooth.
Material choice depends on where the tooth sits and how much force it takes. We explain the trade offs for your specific tooth rather than defaulting to one material.
Who it is for
- A tooth is cracked or has broken down.
- A large old filling is no longer holding.
- You have had root canal treatment on a back tooth.
- You are missing one tooth with healthy teeth either side.
- An old crown is worn, leaking, or looks wrong.
What to expect
Assessment
We check what is left of the tooth and whether a crown is the right answer, or whether something else fits better.
Preparation and scan
The tooth is shaped and captured with a digital scanner. No impression tray is needed.
Temporary
A temporary protects the tooth while the final restoration is made. Call us if it feels loose.
Fitting
We review fit, bite, and appearance with you before anything is cemented permanently.
Questions we hear most
Shade is matched deliberately, and you see the crown before it is cemented. If it is not right, it goes back.
Usually a preparation visit and a fitting visit. We will confirm the plan for your tooth before starting.
They suit different situations. A bridge involves the neighbouring teeth and an implant does not, and we explain both.
With floss threaders or interdental brushes. We show you the technique at the fitting visit.
Talk it through with a dentist before you commit to anything.
Bring your questions to a consultation. We will explain what we see and what the options are, and nothing gets booked until you decide it should.