Built to Last: The Art and Science of Dental Crowns and Bridges

• Dental crowns are custom-made caps that restore a damaged tooth's shape, strength, and appearance.
• Dental bridges are effective solutions for replacing one or more missing teeth, anchored to adjacent healthy teeth.
• Material choice significantly impacts the longevity and aesthetics of crowns and bridges, with options like porcelain, zirconia, and gold.
• The process typically involves a few appointments, from initial assessment to final placement, ensuring a precise and comfortable fit.
• Proper aftercare, including good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, is crucial for maximising the lifespan of your restoration.

At Albany Village Dental, we understand that a healthy, confident smile is invaluable. When teeth are damaged, weakened, or missing, it can impact everything from your ability to chew comfortably to your self-esteem. That's where restorative dental solutions like crowns and bridges come in. For our patients in Albany and the wider North Shore, we often recommend these treatments to effectively bring back both the function and beauty of their smiles.

In our experience, many people aren't entirely sure what dental crowns and bridges entail, or how they can benefit. This guide aims to demystify these common procedures, explaining how we use modern, high-quality materials and partner with top Auckland dental laboratories to provide durable, lasting results.

A dental crown is a custom-made cap designed to completely cover a damaged tooth. Think of it as a protective helmet for your tooth. We often recommend crowns when a tooth is significantly weakened, cracked, heavily filled, or has undergone a root canal treatment. A crown restores the tooth's original shape, size, strength, and appearance, providing essential protection and improving its overall function. To learn more about our custom dental crowns, you can visit our dedicated service page.

A dental bridge is a reliable solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. It "bridges" the gap created by missing teeth by anchoring a replacement tooth (or teeth) to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. This not only restores your ability to chew and speak properly but also helps maintain the shape of your face and prevents remaining teeth from shifting. For urgent cases involving front teeth, we can provide a faster service with our local laboratories, ensuring you don't have to wait long for a complete smile. If you'd like to learn more about dental bridges, we have a detailed page dedicated to this treatment.

We consider crowns and bridges for a variety of dental issues:

• Severely Cracked or Fractured Teeth: A crown can hold a cracked tooth together, preventing further damage.
• Weakened Teeth: After a large filling or root canal, a crown provides strength and prevents breakage.
• Misshapen or Discoloured Teeth: Crowns can dramatically improve the aesthetics of a tooth.
• Missing Teeth: Bridges are an excellent option for replacing one or more missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance.
• Dental Implants: Crowns are often placed on top of dental implants to create a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.

The material chosen for your crown or bridge is a significant factor in its longevity and aesthetic appeal. We work with the best dental laboratories in Auckland, with prompt finishing times, and best quality of workmanship, ensuring we offer a range of high-quality options tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Here are some of the materials we commonly use:

• Porcelain: Known for its natural, tooth-like appearance, porcelain crowns and bridges are excellent for front teeth where aesthetics are paramount. All-ceramic crowns, often made of porcelain, have a 75-80% survival rate at 10 years.
• Zirconia: This material is incredibly strong and durable, making it ideal for back teeth that endure significant chewing forces. Monolithic Zirconia crowns show a 10-year cumulative survival rate of 86.0%.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): These restorations offer a good balance of strength and aesthetics, with a metal base for durability and a porcelain layer for a natural look. PFM crowns have a 90% survival rate at 10 years.
• Gold Alloys: While less common for aesthetic reasons, gold crowns are exceptionally strong and biocompatible. Gold crowns enjoy a 96% survival rate at 10 years, making them one of the most durable options available.

We often get asked about how long a dental crown should last. On average, dental crowns can endure anywhere from 5 to 15 years, contingent on several factors. These factors encompass the crown material, the patient's oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and any tendencies such as teeth grinding or clenching. With proper care, including regular six-month cleanings and check-ups, a traditional bridge can last 30 to 40 years.

Getting a crown or bridge typically involves a few appointments:

1. Initial Consultation and Preparation: We'll conduct a thorough examination, including X-rays, to assess your oral health and determine if a crown or bridge is the right solution. If so, we'll prepare the tooth (or teeth) by reshaping it to allow for the crown or bridge placement.
2. Impressions: We take precise impressions of your teeth, which are then sent to our trusted Auckland dental laboratory. This ensures your custom restoration fits perfectly. A temporary crown or bridge may be placed to protect your prepared tooth while your permanent one is being crafted.
3. Placement of Permanent Restoration: Once your custom crown or bridge is ready, you'll return to our clinic. We'll carefully check the fit, bite, and aesthetics before permanently bonding it into place.

While crowns and bridges are built to be durable, their longevity largely depends on how well you care for them. In our practice, we’ve seen that excellent oral hygiene is the most significant factor. We recommend:

• Brushing Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Daily Flossing: Pay special attention around the base of the crown or bridge to prevent plaque buildup.
• Regular Dental Check-ups: Visiting us every six months for professional cleanings and examinations allows us to monitor your restoration and overall oral health.
• Avoid Hard Foods: Biting down on extremely hard foods or using your teeth as tools can damage your crown or bridge.
• Address Grinding/Clenching: If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), we might recommend a night guard to protect your restoration.

We believe in transparent pricing and want to ensure our patients in Albany and the North Shore have access to the best care. For dental crowns, you can expect costs ranging from $1200 to $1600, depending on the material chosen. Dental bridges start from $3500, with the final cost varying based on their length and design.

We are an ACC Accredited Dentist, a WINZ Registered Provider, and affiliated with Southern Cross. We also offer Q Card for convenient 12-month payment plans. To view our dental prices and payment options, please visit our dedicated page.

If you're considering dental crowns or bridges, we invite you to book a consultation with us at Albany Village Dental. We're here to answer your questions, discuss your options, and help you achieve a healthy, beautiful, and lasting smile. Our team is committed to providing personalised care with the highest standards of quality.