Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

Q. If you have a root canal, do you need a crown?
A. Yes. Root canals are done when there has already been significant damage to the tooth. As a result the tooth structure is weakened. While the filling material used in replacing the root helps it often cannot withstand the grinding pressures we put our teeth through. The leading cause of root canal failures is the cracking or shattering of the tooth itself. A crown covers the tooth and is designed to strengthen it.

Q. I've seen crowns on front teeth and they have a metal edge showing along the top edge, can that be fixed?
A. Newer crowns show less than they did in the past, but if they are made with metal, there will always be some showing. There are non-metal crowns available now that look completely natural. They are not as strong as a metal crown but many prefer them for their front teeth.

Q. Are the non-metal crowns as strong as metal crowns?
A. Generally no, but the newer materials do approach the strength of metal crowns. Provided you are not abusing your teeth, they should prove to be just as reliable.

Q. What is a Bridge?
A. A bridge is a false tooth held in place by attaching it to crowns on either side of the missing tooth. A bridge can replace one, two and sometimes three teeth although an implant is usually recommended once you go beyond two teeth.

Q. Is a Bridge necessary?
A. Bridges are recommended for optimum dental health. It can restore and help maintain the natural bite, it prevents unnatural stress on adjacent teeth and it helps discourage further dental decay and periodontal problems.

Q. If you have a bridge do you have to watch what you eat?
A. In general no, but it is strongly recommend that you avoid eating sticky foods like gum, caramels and taffy. You should also avoid hard candy and definitely not chew ice cubes.