Treatments / Everyday dentistry
Crowns & Bridges
A crown, often called a cap, covers and protects a tooth that is too damaged for a filling. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining to the teeth on either side. Zirconia, all-ceramic and metal-ceramic options are all available. Zirconia crowns are among the options used for back teeth, where strength matters most.
Who this is for
- A tooth that has broken, or been root treated
- A missing tooth where an implant is not suitable or not wanted
- Old crowns that no longer fit or look right
What actually happens
- Preparation of the tooth and an impression or digital scan
- A temporary crown while the permanent one is made
- Fitting, checking the bite, and cementing
Which crown material?
Zirconia is very strong and tooth-coloured. All-ceramic crowns let light through in much the way natural enamel does, so they are often chosen for front teeth. Metal-ceramic crowns have a metal base with porcelain over it and have been used for many years, though the metal can sometimes show as a thin dark line at the gum if the gum shrinks back.
The choice mostly comes down to where the tooth is and what it has to do. A back tooth that takes heavy chewing, or a mouth where someone grinds, calls for strength. A front tooth sitting next to natural teeth calls for a close match in colour and translucency. How much tooth is left, and what any neighbouring crowns are made of, also count.
The material changes the cost as well, and you will see that in the written quote before you decide.
Bridge or implant?
A bridge is fixed, needs no surgery and is usually done in a few weeks. It makes most sense when the teeth either side of the gap already have large fillings or crowns, since those teeth may need covering anyway.
An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth alone, but needs enough bone, healthy gums and a few months of healing. A bridge does not stop the bone under the gap from slowly shrinking, and if one of its supporting teeth runs into trouble, the whole bridge may need to be redone.
Neither is right for everyone. Which suits you depends on the teeth beside the gap, your bone, and how you feel about surgery.
Looking after a crown or bridge
A crown is cleaned like a natural tooth. The tooth under it can still decay where the crown meets the gum, so brush along that edge and clean between your teeth every day.
A bridge needs one extra habit. The false tooth sits over the gum and food collects under it, so clean underneath it each day with a floss threader, bridge floss or a small interdental brush. Ask how to do this at the fitting if you have not done it before.
If you grind your teeth, tell us, as a night guard may be suggested to protect the crowns. Regular check-ups help catch problems at the edges while they are still small.
Crowns and bridges are done by Dr. Shourya, our prosthodontist.
A crown usually takes two visits some days apart, with a temporary crown in between. People coming from Gachibowli or Shaikpet will find directions and clinic hours on our contact page.
Questions people ask
How many visits does a crown take?
Usually two, some days apart while the crown is made. More may be needed if the tooth first needs a root canal or a build-up, or if a front crown needs a try-in to get the shade right.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic before it is shaped, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some sensitivity for a few days afterwards is common.
What should I do if my crown comes off?
Keep the crown safe and call the clinic. Do not stick it back with household glue, which can damage the tooth and stop the crown being refitted, and avoid chewing on that side until it is seen.
How long does a crown last?
There is no fixed answer. It depends on the material, your bite, whether you grind, and how well the edges are kept clean, which is why regular check-ups are worth keeping.
Will the crown match my other teeth?
The shade is chosen against your own teeth before the crown is made. If you are thinking of whitening, do it first, because crowns do not change colour with whitening.
