How Crowns, Bridges and Implants Restore Missing or Damaged Teeth

Crowns, bridges, and implants each play a distinct role in restoring missing or damaged teeth. Understanding how they work — and how they can work together — can help you understand the options your dentist may discuss with you.

Each is used in different situations, and they are sometimes combined as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

A crown is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. It is often recommended when a tooth is significantly weakened, broken, or has a large existing restoration that cannot be repaired with a filling alone.

Crowns restore strength, shape, and appearance to a damaged tooth and are also used to protect a tooth after root canal treatment.

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring replacement teeth to crowns on the adjacent teeth or to implants. It is a fixed restoration that does not need to be removed daily.

Bridges help restore the appearance of a complete smile and support normal chewing and speech after tooth loss.

An implant replaces a missing tooth root with a post placed in the jawbone. After healing, it supports a crown, bridge, or denture. Because an implant stands on its own, it does not rely on adjacent teeth for support.

Implants require adequate bone for support, and bone grafting may be recommended if bone has been lost.

These restorations are sometimes combined. For example, an implant can support a crown to replace a single tooth, or multiple implants can support a bridge or denture. A crown may also be placed on a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.

Your dentist can explain how these options may fit into a personalized treatment plan after evaluating your oral health.

If you have a damaged or missing tooth, schedule a visit at Najor Dental Center. After examining your teeth and reviewing any imaging, your dentist can explain which restorative option may be appropriate for your situation.