Crowns, also called caps, are used to cover damaged or discolored teeth.

They are made of porcelain and gold and cover the entire tooth, starting at the gum line. Crowns strengthen teeth by binding the sides of the weakened tooth together, much the way a splint holds together a broken bone.

Crowns improve the appearance of a tooth but they are not primarily cosmetic devices. We may recommend crowns to protect or strengthen weakened teeth, or to restore a disfigured tooth to its original shape. "Capping" a tooth requires buffing away part of a tooth to make room for the crown, so we discourages crowns as a cosmetic method.

Bridges replace missing teeth by "bridging" the gap between two remaining teeth. Most often a bridge consists of a false tooth connected to two crowns, one on each side. There are other types of bridges and Implants are another option for replaceing missing teeth. The Doctor will explain the advantages and disadvantages of all the options available for your condition.