When Are Crowns and Bridgework Needed?

When Are Crowns and Bridgework Needed?

You might wonder if it's worth it to replace a missing tooth. After all, you've probably learned to adapt to its absence and it may not evendental bridges be visible to anyone but you and your dentist. However, by replacing a missing tooth, you're investing in the future of your other teeth, since they work best as a full set. At Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, Illinois, our dentists often recommend crowns and bridgework as a restoration option. Here's some more information about their structure and purpose.

Anatomy of crowns and bridges

Crowns and bridges are made up of two parts: the pontic and the abutments. The pontic is the false tooth that replaces the missing natural tooth, and the abutments are the crowns that go on top of the natural teeth on either side of the pontic. These teeth are crowned by your Glenview dentist in order to provide additional strength and stability for the pontic to stay in place. The pontic and crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including gold, metal alloys, porcelain or ceramic. Your Glenview dentist will help you decide which material will work best for your situation.

Who are the best candidates for crowns and bridgework?

Patients who have lost one or more teeth due to an accident or decay, but still maintain good dental health with the rest of their teeth, are often excellent candidates for crowns and bridgework. That's because these dental restorations need healthy natural teeth surrounding the empty space in order to ensure proper placement. By filling in that gap, you're helping the rest of your teeth remain stable, because they require the support of teeth next to them to stay in place.

If you're missing a tooth and are ready to replace it, crowns and bridgework from the dentists at Colonial Dental Group, give our Glenview, Illinois office a call today to set up a consultation!