Dental bridges and crowns are both helpful solutions for missing or damaged teeth. Unlike dentures, they serve as a permanent replacement and tend to provide more convenience and comfort. If you’re considering getting a dental prosthetic in Homer, AK, the team at Preventive Dental Services, PC, offers a brief guide to help you understand the difference between these two options and which might be right for you.

Dental Bridges

Your dentist will recommend a dental bridge if you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth in a row. The custom-made permanent prosthetic is anchored in place by cement to the natural teeth on either side of the empty space. A crown is placed over both of those teeth — also called abutments — and is attached to the bridge. This option offers more than convenience and aesthetics; it is a health necessity. If the gap is left alone, the neighboring teeth will move into it, leading to a bad bite or a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Dental Crowns

A crown is the recommended solution if you have a damaged tooth, rather than an empty space. The result strengthens the tooth to make it usable again while improving the look and alignment as well. They can also be placed on top of dental implants, which is a titanium screw secured in the bone to replace missing teeth. Crowns can come in a range of materials such as porcelain, ceramic, gold alloys, or acrylic. Which material you choose will depend on the look and function you want, as well as your budget.

Both bridges and crowns are expected to last a lifetime if they are properly installed by an experienced dentist and well cared for by the patient. The team at Preventive Dental Services, PC, uses state-of-the-art technology for their in-office procedures. Reach out to them online or call (907) 235-1286 to schedule your exam consultation, either at their Homer or Barrow office.