Dental Crown vs Bridge: Which Solution to Choose?
You have a damaged or missing tooth. Your dentist offers you a crown or bridge. These two fixed prostheses are reliable solutions. But they do not address the same problem. Understanding their differences is essential to making the right choice.
Studio Smile in Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva, explains everything to you.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a cap that completely covers a damaged tooth. The natural tooth is cut (prepared) to receive the crown. The crown reproduces the shape, size and color of the original tooth.
When is a crown placed? - Broken or badly decayed tooth but whose root is healthy - Devitalized tooth (after root treatment) - Tooth weakened by a large filling - Tooth on implant
The crown protects the remaining tooth. It restores chewing function and aesthetics. It is permanently sealed. She doesn’t withdraw.
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. It rests on the adjacent teeth (abutment teeth). These abutment teeth are cut to accommodate crowns. The intermediate element (the pontic) fills the space of the missing tooth.
When is a bridge placed? - One or more consecutive missing teeth - Adjacent teeth strong enough to serve as abutments - Alternative to dental implant
The bridge is fixed. He doesn’t withdraw. It restores chewing and smiling.
Detailed comparison
Conservation of natural teeth
Crown: only concerns one tooth. The natural tooth is preserved (only the enamel is cut). No healthy teeth are sacrificed.
Bridge: requires cutting at least two adjacent healthy teeth to transform them into abutments. This is the major disadvantage of bridge. Intact teeth are irreversibly modified.
Lifespan
Crown: 10 to 20 years on average. High-quality zirconia and ceramic crowns can last longer with good hygiene.
Bridge: 10 to 15 years on average. Hygiene under the pontic is more complex. Stress on abutment teeth can weaken them in the long term.
Hygiene
Crown: Brushing and flossing are identical to a natural tooth. No additional constraints.
Bridge: cleaning under the pontic requires special dental floss (super floss) or interdental brushes. Rigorous hygiene is essential to avoid cavities on abutment teeth.
Aesthetics
Crown: excellent esthetics, especially with full ceramic or zirconia. Indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Bridge: good aesthetics. The connection between the elements can sometimes be visible at the level of the gum if it retracts over time.
Prices in Geneva
| Solution | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Metal-ceramic crown | 900 - 1,400 CHF |
| Full ceramic/zirconia crown | 1,200 - 1,800 CHF |
| Bridge 3 ceramic-metal elements | 2,500 - 3,500 CHF |
| Bridge 3 elements all ceramic | 3,500 - 5,000 CHF |
The bridge costs more because it includes at least 3 elements (2 abutment crowns + 1 pontic).
Procedure
Crown: two appointments. In the first, the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken (digital at Studio Smile). A temporary crown is placed. In the second, the final crown is sealed. Total duration: 1 to 2 weeks.
Bridge: same principle in two appointments, but the two abutment teeth are prepared simultaneously. The impression includes the two abutments and the edentulous space.
When to choose a crown?
Choose a crown if your tooth is damaged but present. The root is healthy. There are no missing teeth to replace. The crown is the logical solution to protect and restore a weakened tooth.
When to choose a bridge?
A bridge is an option if you have a missing tooth and the adjacent teeth also require crowns (already decayed or restored). In this case, the bridge kills two birds with one stone.
If the adjacent teeth are perfectly healthy, the bridge has a major disadvantage: they must be trimmed. In this situation, a dental implant is often the best alternative.
And the implant in all this?
A dental implant is the third option for replacing a missing tooth. It does not require touching neighboring teeth. A titanium screw is inserted into the bone. A crown is placed on it.
- Implant + crown: from 2,500 CHF (implant + abutment + crown)
- Lifespan: 20 years and more
- Advantage: preserves adjacent teeth, stimulates bone
The implant is often the best long-term solution. But it requires sufficient bone and surgery. The time frame is longer (3 to 6 months in total).
Summary table
| Criterion | Crown | Bridge | Implant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth present | Yes | No | No |
| Touches neighboring teeth | No | Yes | No |
| Lifespan | 10-20 years | 10-15 years | 20+ years |
| Price | 900-1,800 CHF | 2,500-5,000 CHF | 2,500-4,500 CHF |
| Number of sessions | 2 | 2 | 3-5 |
| Total time | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 3-6 months |
FAQ
Can you put a crown on any tooth? Yes, provided that the root is healthy and sufficiently strong. If the root is fractured or the bone too damaged, extraction followed by an implant is preferable.
Can a bridge replace multiple teeth? Yes. A bridge can replace one, two or three consecutive missing teeth. Beyond that, the bridge becomes too long and the forces exerted on the abutment teeth are excessive. Additional implants are required.
Does putting a crown hurt? No. Preparation and installation are done under local anesthesia. A slight sensitivity may persist a few days after installation.
How long does a crown appointment take? Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour for preparation. 30 minutes for final installation.
Are the crown or bridge reimbursed in Geneva? LAMal basic insurance does not reimburse dental prostheses. Supplementary dental insurance covers part of the costs according to the contract.
Need a crown or bridge? Consult Studio Smile in Chêne-Bougeries for a precise diagnosis and a detailed quote. Our prostheses are made with high quality materials. Make an appointment online or by phone.