What are dental crowns and bridges?
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth entirely, restoring its shape, strength and appearance. A bridge uses crowns on the teeth either side of a gap to carry a replacement tooth across it, filling the space left by a missing tooth.
Both are fixed permanently in place — you cannot take them out — and both are made in a dental laboratory from materials chosen to match your natural teeth. Done well, neither is noticeable.
At Mera Dental Clinic in Delhi we place crowns in ceramic, zirconia and metal-ceramic, shade-matched to your own teeth, typically across two appointments about a week apart.
When you need a crown
- After root canal treatment on a back tooth. A root-treated tooth is brittle and can split under chewing force — a crown prevents that. See root canal treatment.
- A heavily broken or worn tooth where too little structure remains for a filling.
- A cracked tooth, where the crown holds the tooth together and stops the crack propagating.
- A large old filling that keeps failing or has left the tooth undermined.
- A badly discoloured or misshapen tooth where appearance matters.
- To restore a dental implant — the implant replaces the root, the crown replaces the visible tooth. See implants.
- Severe wear from grinding, to rebuild lost height and protect what remains.
When you need a bridge
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the natural teeth on either side. It is a good choice when:
- The teeth either side of the gap already need crowns anyway.
- An implant is not suitable — for example where bone volume is limited or a medical condition rules out surgery.
- You want a fixed replacement completed in a couple of weeks rather than a few months.
The trade-off is that the neighbouring teeth must be prepared, meaning healthy enamel is removed. Where those teeth are pristine, an implant is usually the better long-term choice because it leaves them untouched.
Crown materials compared
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | Back and front teeth | Very strong, metal-free, excellent longevity |
| All-ceramic / E-max | Front teeth | Best aesthetics, translucent like natural enamel |
| Metal-ceramic (PFM) | Back teeth, bridges | Strong and proven; may show a dark line at the gum over years |
| Full metal | Rear molars | Extremely durable, needs least tooth removal, but visibly metallic |
We recommend based on the tooth's position, how much biting force it takes, how much structure remains and how visible it is — then explain the options and cost so you can choose.
The process, step by step
- Examination and planning. X-rays confirm the tooth's condition, root status and bone support. We discuss materials, appearance and cost before starting.
- Local anaesthesia. The tooth and surrounding gum are numbed so the preparation is painless.
- Tooth preparation. The tooth is shaped, removing a precise, thin layer all round so the crown fits over it without feeling bulky. Any decay is removed, and if too little tooth remains, a core build-up or post is placed first.
- Impressions or digital scan. An accurate record of the prepared tooth, the neighbouring teeth and how you bite together is sent to the laboratory.
- Shade matching. Done in good light against your natural teeth, so the crown blends rather than stands out.
- Temporary crown. A provisional crown protects the tooth, keeps the gum in shape and lets you eat and smile normally while the permanent one is made.
- Fitting the final crown. About a week later, the temporary comes off and the permanent crown is tried in. We check the fit at the margin, the contact with neighbouring teeth, the bite and the appearance — and adjust until all four are right.
- Cementing. Once you are happy with how it looks, the crown is permanently bonded in place and excess cement carefully removed from around the gum.
Does it hurt?
No. Preparation is done under local anaesthesia and feels similar to having a filling. Afterwards the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold for a few days, and gums can be tender where the margin sits.
With the temporary crown on, avoid very sticky foods that could pull it off, and chew on the other side. If a temporary comes loose, do not leave it — call us, because the prepared tooth can be sensitive and neighbouring teeth can drift enough to affect the fit of the final crown.
When the permanent crown is fitted, it should feel like a natural tooth immediately. If your bite feels even slightly high, tell us at the appointment — a small adjustment takes a minute and prevents ache later.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
A well-made crown commonly lasts ten to fifteen years, and often much longer. Bridges last a similar period. What shortens or extends that:
- Oral hygiene at the margin. Crowns cannot decay, but the natural tooth beneath the crown edge absolutely can. This is the most common reason crowns eventually fail.
- Cleaning under a bridge. A bridge has a section spanning the gap, and plaque collects beneath it. Superfloss or an interdental brush under the bridge, daily, is essential.
- Grinding and clenching. A night guard protects crowns from fracture if you grind.
- Gum health. If gum disease destroys the supporting bone, even a perfect crown loses its foundation.
- Regular checkups, so a small problem at the margin is caught before the crown must be remade.
Aftercare
- Wait for numbness to pass before eating.
- With a temporary crown: avoid chewing gum, toffee and very hard foods, and floss out sideways rather than pulling up, so you do not lift it off.
- Once cemented: eat normally, but avoid using teeth as tools or biting ice and bones.
- Brush twice daily and clean the margin carefully — the junction of crown and tooth is where problems start.
- Floss under bridges daily with superfloss or an interdental brush.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Keep six-monthly checkups so we can inspect margins and bite.
Crown, bridge or implant — which is right?
| Bridge | Implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbouring teeth | Must be trimmed and crowned | Left completely untouched |
| Time to complete | About 2 weeks | 3–6 months typically |
| Surgery | None | Minor surgical placement |
| Bone preservation | Bone under the gap still shrinks | Preserves bone at the site |
| Typical lifespan | 10–15 years | 15+ years, often lifelong |
We will assess your bone, gums and neighbouring teeth and give you a straight recommendation with the reasoning — not just the more expensive option.
Cost of crowns and bridges
Cost depends on the material chosen and, for bridges, on the number of units involved. Zirconia and all-ceramic cost more than metal-ceramic; a three-unit bridge costs roughly three times a single crown. We give you the full quotation before treatment starts, and EMI is available on larger plans. Your first consultation and X-ray are free. Call +91 98912 42043 for current pricing.
Why choose Mera Dental
- Careful shade matching so crowns blend with your natural teeth rather than announcing themselves.
- Precision at the margin — the fit at the gumline determines how long a crown lasts.
- Full range of materials, recommended honestly for the tooth rather than the invoice.
- Specialists on site for root canals, gum care and implants, so complex cases stay in one place. Meet the team on our about us page.
- Strict sterilisation and transparent, upfront pricing with EMI options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does getting a crown take?
Usually two appointments about a week apart — preparation and impressions at the first, fitting at the second. You wear a temporary crown in between and can eat and smile normally.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia and preparation feels much like a filling. Some sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal.
Will a crown look natural?
Yes, when the material and shade are chosen well. All-ceramic and zirconia crowns mimic the translucency of natural enamel, and we match the shade against your own teeth in good light.
Can a crowned tooth still decay?
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth beneath its edge can. That is why cleaning at the margin and regular checkups matter so much.
How do I clean under a bridge?
With superfloss or an interdental brush passed underneath the section spanning the gap, once daily. Plaque trapped there is the most common cause of bridge problems.
Is a bridge better than an implant?
Neither is universally better. A bridge is faster and avoids surgery but requires trimming the neighbouring teeth. An implant leaves them untouched and preserves bone, but takes longer. We assess your case and explain the trade-offs.
What if my crown falls off?
Keep it safe, do not try to glue it yourself, and call us. In many cases the same crown can be recemented if the underlying tooth is sound.
Do crowns need replacing?
Eventually, yes — typically after ten to fifteen years, often longer. We check yours at each visit and replace them when the margin, fit or appearance deteriorates.
Can I get a crown on a front tooth?
Yes. For front teeth we generally use all-ceramic or zirconia for the most natural appearance. In some cases a veneer is a more conservative alternative — see smile makeover.
Does a crown need a root canal first?
Not always. A root canal is only needed if the nerve is infected or has been exposed. Many crowns are placed on perfectly healthy, vital teeth that are simply broken or worn.
Book a consultation
Broken tooth, failing filling or a gap you want closed? Come in and we will show you your options with honest pricing. Your first consultation and X-ray are free.
Call +91 98912 42043 or book online. Open Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 8 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM.