Prosthodontics

A crown, also known as a cap, is a tooth-shaped covering that is placed over a tooth that has been badly decayed or damaged. Crowns are generally used when the damage or decay is so extensive that filling materials cannot make the tooth strong enough. In addition, crowns can be used to hold a bridge in place and to cover discolored or misshaped teeth.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are three types of dental crowns:
– Metal – this type of crown can be made of gold alloy, palladium, nickel alloy, or chromium alloy. Metal crowns are ideal for use on the back teeth.
– Ceramic – Ceramic crowns look like normal teeth and are ideal for use on the front teeth.
– Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) – PFM crowns are stronger than ceramic crowns and look like normal teeth.

Bridges
Bridges are one method to fill a gap created by a missing tooth (or teeth). A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth in between. Natural teeth, dental implants, or a combination of natural teeth and dental implants can be used to support the bridge.
Types of Bridges
There are three types of bridges:
Traditional bridge – this type of bridge consists of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth in between. Traditional bridges are the most commonly used type of bridge and are made of ceramic or porcelain fused to metal (PFM).
Cantilever bridge – this type of bridge is used when there are teeth on only one side of the gap in the mouth.
Maryland bonded bridge – this type of bridge is made up of plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal framework.