Crowns and bridges, explained
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is cracked, heavily filled or weakened by a root canal. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the teeth beside the gap. Bathurst Centre Dental Care provides porcelain crowns and bridges at our Thornhill clinic, serving Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
What are dental crowns?
A crown is a cap which completely covers a tooth or dental implant. A crown can be made from porcelain, zirconia, gold, metal alloys or a combination of these materials. Crowns are typically bonded to the teeth using a dental cement. Implant-supported crowns are typically attached to an implant with screws, or bonded with dental cement.
What are dental bridges?
A bridge is used to fill a gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of three or more crowns splinted together. It is composed of crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, and one or more false teeth in between to fill the gap. An implant-supported bridge uses implants instead of natural teeth as the support for the missing teeth. A bridge can be made from porcelain, gold, alloys or a combination of these materials.
When do I need a crown or bridge?
A large filling or broken tooth
Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that cannot support a filling, have large existing fillings or have a higher chance of fracture.
After a root canal
A tooth that has had a root canal treatment is more brittle and usually needs a crown to protect it.
A missing tooth
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and can be supported by natural teeth or implants. For a tooth-supported bridge, the teeth on both sides of the gap should be strong and free from gum disease.
What happens when I get a crown?
A crown usually takes two visits, about two weeks apart.
Prepare
The tooth is frozen and shaped so the crown will fit over it. An impression or digital scan is taken and a temporary crown is placed.
Lab
A dental laboratory crafts your crown to match the shape and shade of your teeth.
Fit and cement
The temporary is removed, the new crown is checked for fit and bite, then cemented permanently.
Which crown material is right for me?
Porcelain and ceramic
The most natural-looking choice, matched to your tooth shade. Ideal for front teeth.
Zirconia
A very strong ceramic that resists chipping, well suited to back teeth and patients who grind.
Porcelain fused to metal
A metal core for strength with a porcelain surface for appearance.
Gold and metal alloys
Extremely durable and gentle on opposing teeth, but metallic in colour, so usually reserved for back molars.
Crown and bridge FAQs
Crowns commonly last 10 to 15 years, and many last much longer with good brushing, flossing and regular check-ups. Grinding your teeth or chewing ice can shorten their life; a night guard protects them.
No. The tooth is frozen before it is shaped, and the fitting visit usually needs no freezing at all. Mild sensitivity for a few days after each visit is normal.
When enough healthy tooth remains, a filling is simpler and less expensive. When a tooth has a large old filling, a crack or has had a root canal, a crown holds the tooth together and prevents it from splitting. Your dentist will show you the tooth and explain why one option is recommended.
An implant preserves the bone and does not involve the neighbouring teeth, so it is usually preferred when the bone and your health allow it. A bridge is quicker, needs no surgery and works well when the adjacent teeth already need crowns. Compare tooth replacement options.
Brush normally and use a floss threader, super floss or a water flosser to clean under the false tooth once a day. Food trapped under a bridge can cause decay on the supporting teeth, which is the most common reason bridges fail.
Crowns are listed as a covered basic restorative service under the CDCP for eligible patients, and preauthorization is usually required before treatment. We submit the preauthorization for you. CDCP at our clinic.
Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side and call us at 905-707-8008. A crown can often be re-cemented the same day if the tooth underneath is sound. Emergency dental services.
Does my insurance cover crowns and bridges?
Crowns and bridges are usually covered as major restorative services, often at a lower percentage than fillings, and many plans require a predetermination first. We submit the paperwork and explain all charges before treatment begins.
I got a PFM crown on my tooth #22, 12 months ago. After this crown I had some growth on my papilla and my tongue touches this upper wall of inside mouth and I get constant slimy feeling. I have got this checked from many dentists, nobody was able to cure this issue. One dentist advised to excise this palatal papilla.
Hi Farooq, unfortunately, it’s not possible to provide you with much insight regarding your crown without an actual physical examination. If the overgrown papilla is your main concern, a visit to a gum specialist (a periodontist) may help.
What should i do if my crown was broken?
Hi Dianara, unfortunately, I can’t really give you any advice without an in-person examination of your crown. Please consult a dentist as soon as possible to find out the cause and to prevent possible pain and tooth abscess.
I had a root canal done on my lower left 2nd molar, the endodontist recommended me to a crown specialist. The crown specialist prepped my tooth for a crown, took a mould to have the crown created and gave me a temporary crown in the meantime.
But he told me that before putting the permanent crown, he recommended that I go see a gum specialist for a gum surgery. Something about a small surgery that involves tearing the side of the gum open to shave a bit of the bone off. the reason being that if we didnt there would be a risk of gum infection later on.
I am trying to find out whether such a procedure is common during root canal treatment?
Hi RK, the gum surgery recommended to you is called a crown lengthening procedure. Without an examination it’s not possible to speculate on exactly why the procedure was recommended for you, but in cases where the decay is far below the gum line we may recommend a crown lengthening procedure. This is because the crown must be placed even deeper under the gum line to cover it, close to the bone. Over time, the close proximity of crown to the bone can potentially cause gum irritation or infection. It is a relatively common procedure, but not necessary for all crowns.
Hi Dr Li, enamel has worn away on front teeth (at the back) due to deep bite. What is best treatment for this? Which are the better options, veneers or crowns and how can I correct bite. Have no pain.
Thanks.
Hi Glenda, crowns are typically used to restore worn teeth. Veneers are typically used to cover only the front surface of the teeth, so they won’t be very useful for your situation. Prior to crown placement there may be a need for root canal treatment, gum surgery (to remove some bone and gum so the crown can be placed in a position to correct the deep bite), or braces (to correct the deep bite). The treatment(s) you need depend on how much the teeth are worn, how severe the deep bite is and the gum condition of those teeth. Please consult a dentist regarding the best treatment option(s) for your situation.
I had a root canal on my 26 I going to place a porcelain crown over it. My question is do I require a post I would rather not put the post in it just the porcelain crown and it’s not porcelain fused to metal.
Hi Danny, whether you need a post or not depends on how much natural tooth structure is still present in your tooth. If the majority of the tooth structure has been lost to cavities, then a post is needed to help support the filling (the core) which will then help support the crown. If not, there is a higher chance of the crown breaking off of the tooth. You will need to talk to the dentist who is doing the crown to see if you need a post or not.
Is there a way a dentist can build up a tooth with bonding or something if it’s too small for a crown?
Thanks.
Hi Tammy, it is always possible to build up a tooth with a filling. However, if the tooth is too small or too broken down for a crown, a filling build on such a weak foundation may not last longer than the first time you bite into something. You will have to consult with your dentist to determine whether that is the case for your tooth.
Hello. I recently got one porcelain crown, can i drink alcohol?
Thank you
Hi John, alcohol should not cause any damage to a porcelain crown.
Depending on the type of cement used, your dentist may recommend not eating or drinking for a short period of time (half an hour to a couple of hours) right after cementing the crown. Once the cement is completely set, you should be able to resume eating and drinking normally.
I just had a new bridge inserted on the left side -it required a mould -the mould on removal pulled out another older bridge on the right side-I do not of course want a repeat of this situation and have the new bridge compromised-in your opinion is a complete mould required for a proper bite or is there an alternative- eg mould only the immediate area ,use the mould from the new bridge ,photography or another method. ? Your advice would be most appreciated-thank you
Hi Robert, whether or not a complete mould is needed depends on many factors such as what your original bite is like, how long the bridge is, and which teeth are involved. In general, a complete mould will give the dental lab more information to work with and is more likely to give your new bridge a proper bite. However, you can possibly get away with a partial mold involving only one side in some cases.
In general, it is very unlikely for a mould to pull off a bridge, unless it is already weakened with cavities underneath or if the cements used are getting older and the bond strength has weakened over the years due to wear. The chance of a new bridge to come off with a mould is even more unlikely. If you are concerned, discuss the option of partial mold with your dentist when you get the new bridge made.
Is it possible to have a front full metal dental bridge?
Hi Asia, although it is not often done, it is possible to have a metal dental bridge for your front teeth. You will want to discuss with your dentist to find out if the dental lab he or she works with can make the type of bridge you are looking for. Price for a full gold bridge will be much higher than a porcelain covered metal bridge because of the higher pricing of gold.
Hello!
I got 2 crowns done on my bottom teeth 2 days ago. The dental assistant pushed very hard on my jaw when putting the temporary crowns in, she did not tell me to clench my jaw when she did this. It really hurt when she did this and I was frozen at the time. Now 3 days later my jaw still hurts even when it is closed. It hurt to eat and I have trouble sleeping. I’m taking pain meds but it does not seem to get better only worse. Should I see a doctor? Is this normal? Thank you!
Hi Emma, If you are having trouble sleeping due to the pain and pain medication is not helping, please consult with your dentist as soon as possible.
Dr. Qin Li,
I’m waiting for bridge in the coming days but one supporting tooth is very sensible and hurt hard when taking cold or sour drinks or when touched ?
The supporting teeth were already prepared in the first day.
Should I be concerned about this hurting tooth ? is this normal ?
Thanks in advance.
Hi, without an in-person examination it is impossible for me to tell you if the pain is normal, but my suggestion is to let your dentist know as soon as possible.
I was at my dentist and mentioned I was thinking about getting a crown on one of my front top 2 teeth which had a root canal and he advised against it since the tooth was mostly made from the hard plastic or whatever and wouldn’t be that strong, but i still think I want it cause it doesn’t really look attractive as it is. Should I just ask for it to be done? Any advise would be nice.
Hi Sean, there are times when we advise against a crown due to various reasons, such as the reason your dentist gave. If you still want to go ahead with it, you need to know the potential risks before you make the final decision. Ask your dentist if you may end up losing the tooth faster if you were to go ahead with the crown, and if so, what your options and financial obligations would be. It will help with your decision making to know all the facts.
Hi Dr. Li,
Currently I have a bridge from 13 to 23 (had it for over 30 years, dentist who did the bridge retired now).
I’ve noticed that at 13 it is slightly loose, is it possible to remove the bridge and recement the existing bridge back?
I think I had a root canal at 13 and 23. Once I remove my bridge do I need to put one post at 13 and 23?
Please let me know your thoughts and approx. cost?
Thanks, Susana
Hi Susana, your would need an in-person exam to assess the possible treatment options. If you’re in the area, please call us at 905-707-8008 to book an appointment.
Hi Dr. Li
Is it possible to remove a loose crown (porcelain) and re-cement it if xrays show no damage to the tooth underneath?
Hi Norma, it is possible to remove a loose crown and re-cement in some cases, but not without difficulty and high risk of damage.
When a crown feels loose in the mouth, it is more likely that the underlying tooth structure is fracturing than the crown is separating from the tooth. In the first case, you cannot re-cement the crown. You will need a new crown, or an implant if the fracture is too deep and the tooth cannot be saved. In the second case, if a crown can be removed without causing damage either to the crown or the underlying tooth structure, and there is no decay or fracture in the underlying tooth structure, the crown can be re-cemented.
Keep in mind that most of the “porcelain” crown has underlying metal supporting the porcelain, making it impossible to see the condition of the underlying tooth structure on an x-ray. In the case where you have the type of porcelain crown that allows you to see the underlying tooth condition, thin fracture lines cannot be detected with an x-ray, only larger fractures. Your dentist will still need to do a visual inspection of the tooth structure after the crown is removed.
In the case where a crown is loose because it is separating from the underlying tooth structure, it is very difficult to remove the crown without chipping the porcelain or causing damage to the underlying tooth structure which is usually already quite brittle in most cases. A full porcelain crown (without metal backing) will likely not survive the force needed to remove it from the tooth, however careful your dentist may be. In those cases, it may be better to try to save the tooth and sacrifice the crown by cutting the crown off the tooth with a dental drill, since a new crown is cheaper than a new implant.