A crown or “cap” is a full coverage permanent restoration. This type of restoration covers the entire tooth and provides the tooth with strength, so it can be used as if it was natural tooth in the mouth that can withstand the forces of chewing. A crown may be required in several situations: a tooth that has been treated with a root canal, a tooth with excessive decay, and a tooth that has had a large filling placed.
A bridge is placed to replace a missing tooth. A crown is placed on each side of the space where a missing tooth is, and a tooth is attached to each remaining tooth to fill in or “bridge” the space.
