Your teeth work together to support each other. When one or more teeth are uneven, broken, warn, or missing, changes can occur in your bite. These changes can lead to difficult or painful chewing, jaw pain, ear pain, neck pain, and even migraine headaches. Crowns and bridges are most commonly used to repair teeth, protect them from further damage, and restore a healthy, confident smile.
Here are some explanations of what these items mean and how they affect teeth.
Crown: Crowns restore the size and approximate shape of the original teeth. A crown covers the visible portion of a tooth; usually with porcelain or metal alloys. The original tooth is reshaped to ensure a proper fit between the tooth and crown.
Temporary Bridge: Protects newly reshaped supporting teeth while the new bridge is being made.
Conventional Fixed Bridge: Replacement teeth attached to the crown on either side of the space to be filled. The crowns fit into the supported teeth and are cemented into place.
Maryland Fixed Bridge: In some situations, if teeth on both sides of the teeth are in good condition, a Maryland Bridge is an option. This type of bride attaches to the existing teeth on either side of it, using a metal strip in back.
