CROWNS
A crown (sometimes referred to as a cap) is a full coverage restoration that restores the anatomical surfaces of a damaged or fractured tooth to their original contour and function. The anatomical surfaces are the parts of the tooth that you can see above the gum line. Typically, this type of restoration is recommended when there is very little tooth structure left to restore or when there has been a root canal done on the tooth.

The three types of crowns that are commonly done:
1. Porcelain fused to metal – This type of crown is often used on posterior teeth due to the strength that the semi-precious metal can provide during chewing. The veneer or facing of the tooth consists of porcelain that gives the restoration a natural looking quality.
2. Porcelain crown – This is a very thin shell covered by layers of porcelain to resemble the shading and translucency of a natural tooth. This restoration is often recommended for anterior teeth.
3. Metal crowns – this type of crowns are normally done for the posterior teeth especially in patients that are heavy grinders.

BRIDGES
Every tooth in your mouth provides support, structure and function to the jaw. Absence of even a single tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to drift into the position of the missing tooth. A bridge is a dental prosthesis that is used to replace one or more missing teeth in the same arch and is permanently cemented into the mouth; therefore, you cannot remove it. This is normally recommended after an extraction.