A complete smile is necessary to eat and talk without struggling or feeling pain and discomfort. For that reason, you may benefit from dental crowns and bridges if you're suffering from damaged or missing teeth. While both options help to restore a smile, they serve different purposes. Here's a closer look at each one. 

Dental Crowns

Dentists use crowns to provide a stable and sturdy chewing surface. Most commonly, they're used as permanent caps over cracked, broken, or weakened teeth to restore functionality. Yet, the device is also utilized as the covering for individual dental implants. 

Dental crowns are made from either ceramic or porcelain, which allows them to stand up to your mouth's jaw power without the risk of fracture. As a result, you can chew just as easily as you can with a healthy tooth. They're made custom for your smile, providing a perfect fit and shade match. 

Dental Bridges

Instead of fixing a damaged tooth, dental bridges are designed to replace a missing tooth. Yet, the system does involve two crowns on the other side of the false tooth. The natural teeth next to the gap—abutment teeth—are used to support the replacement. For this process, they're shaved down and the bridge is glued to both abutments. 

As with dental crowns, bridges are custom made to match the spacing and color of your smile. Typically, they're used to replace only one or two teeth, but they can work with up to four missing spaces as long as the abutment teeth are strong enough. Additionally, implants can be used to support the bridge. 

Struggling with missing or damaged teeth? Find the right solution for your smile by turning to Harold R. Arthur, D.M.D., P.A. Family Dentistry in Live Oak, FL. The local dentist and his friendly team have provided exceptional care to patients across Suwannee County since 2002. Review their treatment options, including dental crowns and bridges, online, and book an appointment today at (386) 330-5181.