Dental Crowns, Bridges and CEREC in Central

A dental crown covers a damaged or weakened tooth to help restore its shape and function. A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth, using neighbouring teeth or implants for support.

At Diestel & Partners in Central, your dentist will assess the teeth, gums and bite before discussing suitable restorative options.

What’s The Difference Between Crowns and Bridges?

A crown restores an individual tooth, for example when a large filling or damage leaves too little tooth structure for a filling alone. A bridge spans a gap left by missing teeth and needs suitable support.

The choice depends on the remaining teeth, gum health, bone and bite. A bridge is not automatically the right choice when bone is limited. Your dentist can explain bridges, removable dentures and dental implants, including their benefits and limitations.

CEREC Crowns and Laboratory Restorations

Our clinic has a CEREC system for digitally scanning, designing and milling crowns. Selected crowns can be made and fitted in one visit when the tooth, material and treatment plan are suitable.

Other crowns and bridges may require laboratory work and separate appointments. The dentist will explain whether CEREC is suitable, whether a temporary restoration is needed and the expected schedule. Same-day treatment is not suitable for every restoration.

Why Use Dental Crowns?

Extensive decay or a large filling: A crown may help restore a tooth when insufficient sound structure remains for a filling.
After root canal treatment: A crown is often recommended for back teeth; the final restoration depends on the tooth and remaining structure.
Worn or cracked teeth: A crown may form part of treatment, but the extent of damage and cause of wear need assessment. Not every cracked tooth can be restored.
Appearance: A crown can change a tooth’s shape or colour. Your dentist will discuss whether a more conservative option is appropriate.

Process of Getting a Dental Crown or Bridge

Visits and timing: Selected CEREC crowns may be completed in one visit. Laboratory crowns and bridges usually involve separate stages; the schedule depends on the restoration and any preliminary treatment.

Recovery: Temporary sensitivity or gum discomfort can occur. Your dentist will explain aftercare and when to seek review.

Assessment and preparation: The dentist checks the tooth, supporting tissues and bite, treats any relevant disease and discusses options. Tooth preparation removes some tooth tissue; local anaesthetic may be used.
Scan or impression: The prepared teeth are recorded for the restoration. Suitable CEREC crowns may be made during the visit; laboratory work may require a temporary restoration.
Fitting and review: The dentist checks the fit, appearance and bite before securing the crown or bridge and explaining care.

Brush with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth and beneath a bridge as instructed. Crowns and bridges still need regular checks and can require repair or replacement. Contact the clinic if a restoration loosens or you have persistent pain or a bite that feels uneven.

Crown Materials

All-ceramic: Tooth-coloured ceramic options vary in appearance and mechanical properties.
Porcelain fused to metal: A metal framework supports an outer porcelain layer; a metal edge may become visible near the gum.
Metal alloys: Metal crowns have a metallic appearance and may be considered where appearance is less of a concern.

The dentist will discuss material choice according to the tooth, available space, bite, appearance and any relevant material allergies.

Comfort During Treatment

Please tell us about dental anxiety or previous uncomfortable experiences. We can explain each stage and discuss local anaesthetic and, where appropriate after assessment, sedation.

Tell the dentist if you feel pain or need a pause so that your comfort can be reassessed.

Root Canal

After root canal treatment, the tooth needs an appropriate final restoration. Back teeth often need a crown because of chewing forces. Front teeth do not always need one, but may if substantial tooth structure has been lost.

Your dentist will assess the remaining tooth and bite before recommending a filling, crown or another restoration. A crown cannot guarantee that a tooth will never fracture.