Restorative Dentistry
Crowns & Bridges
A crown is a custom cap that covers a damaged, weakened, or heavily restored tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a natural-looking replacement to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
At a glance
- Visits needed
- Usually two
- Typical visit
- 60 to 90 minutes
- Material
- Porcelain or ceramic
- Lifespan
- Many years with good home care
What it is
Crowns are needed most often on molars, and the reason is force. A back tooth is built as a set of cusps around a chewing surface, and every bite pushes those cusps apart. While the tooth is whole that force is spread safely, but once a large cavity, an old filling, or a crack has hollowed out the middle, the remaining walls are thin and a cusp can split off. A crown wraps the tooth and holds it together, so the chewing load is carried by the restoration rather than trying to break the tooth apart.
Both are crafted to match your natural teeth in colour and shape, so they blend in seamlessly. They protect your remaining teeth, restore comfortable chewing, and bring back a complete, confident smile.
Who it's for
- A tooth that's cracked, broken, or weakened by a large filling
- A molar with a cracked or missing cusp, or one that hurts when you bite down
- A tooth that needs protection after a root canal
- One or more missing teeth you'd like to replace
- Anyone wanting to restore comfortable chewing and a full smile
What to expect
- 1
Exam & planning
We assess the tooth or gap, take impressions or scans, and plan a restoration matched to your smile.
- 2
Preparing the tooth
For a crown, we gently shape the tooth; for a bridge, we prepare the supporting teeth on each side.
- 3
Temporary protection
You'll often wear a temporary restoration while your custom crown or bridge is crafted.
- 4
Final placement
We fit, adjust, and bond the finished crown or bridge, then check your bite for comfort.
Recovery & aftercare
Some sensitivity around the treated tooth or gums is common for a few days and typically fades. If you have a temporary crown, we'll suggest avoiding very sticky or hard foods until your final restoration is placed.
Once your permanent crown or bridge is in, care for it like your natural teeth — brushing, flossing (or cleaning under a bridge as we show you), and regular checkups will help it last for many years.
Common questions
- How long do crowns and bridges last?
- With good care, crowns and bridges often last many years — frequently a decade or more. Daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups help them last as long as possible.
- Will my crown or bridge look natural?
- Yes. We match the colour and shape to your surrounding teeth, so your restoration blends in and most people can't tell it apart from a natural tooth.
- Is the process uncomfortable?
- We numb the area during treatment, so it's comfortable. Mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually settles within a few days.
- Why a crown on my molar instead of just a bigger filling?
- It comes down to how much sound tooth is left. A filling sits inside the tooth and relies on the surrounding walls to hold up; when those walls are thin, chewing pressure can split a cusp away. A crown covers the tooth instead of filling it, so it binds the remaining structure together and takes the load itself. On a molar, which chews hardest, that difference matters.
Sources
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Diagnosis and treatment should always be determined by a qualified dental professional based on your individual condition.
Talk to us about crowns & bridges
Have questions or ready to get started? Book a visit and we'll examine, explain your options clearly, and care for your smile from start to finish.