Heavily damaged teeth can be covered with natural-looking porcelain crowns, which replace more natural tooth structure than veneers. A missing tooth can be replaced with porcelain bridgework that is attached to the natural teeth on either side of the space.
The (natural clinical) crown of a tooth is the portion of the tooth which is covered with tooth enamel and projects through the gums into the mouth. It is the part of the tooth you can see, as compared to the tooth root which is generally below the gumline. When a dentist mentions a “crown” as an option for repairing a tooth, they are talking about a prosthetic crown.If a tooth has been extensively decayed, chipped or cracked, and cannot be restored to its proper shape, function and appearance another way, the dentist may recommend placement of a prosthetic crown.
If a tooth is missing or lost, your dentist will discuss the options for tooth replacement. This may involve the placement of an implant or tooth supported bridge. If two or more teeth directly adjacent to the lost or missing tooth are at risk of fracture or are discoloured and need crowns, a bridge may be a good option to replace the missing tooth. When the bridge is produced, a porcelain tooth (pontic) is fused to the two or more crowns on either side and once the crowns are fitted onto the adjoining teeth, the porcelain pontic appears to be emerging out of the gum. A bridge may be a suitable course of treatment for you if you are unable to have an implant due to issues with your overall health or dental health.