Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges are two common methods used to save or replace teeth that are in need of repair or missing altogether. Crowns are used to cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth surface left. They can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that is already broken. A crown is also a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped, and are used to cover dental implants.
Bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth. Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, a fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist.
An implant bridge attaches artificial teeth directly to the jaw or under the gum tissue. Depending on which type of bridge your dentist recommends, its success depends on its foundation. So it's very important to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong.
Information courtesy of the American Dental Association