When a tooth is significantly damaged, decayed, or missing, dental crowns and bridges offer a reliable, long-lasting solution. At Whitehorse Dental, we use high-quality materials and precise techniques to create restorations that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over an existing tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are recommended when a tooth has been weakened by extensive decay, a large filling, root canal treatment, or a crack. They can also be used to improve the appearance of misshapen or severely discoloured teeth.
We offer crowns in a range of materials to suit your needs and preferences, including porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia. Each material offers excellent durability and a natural appearance, and your dentist will recommend the best option based on the location of the tooth and the forces it needs to withstand.
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth (or teeth) to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges restore your ability to chew and speak properly, prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, and maintain the natural shape of your face. Like crowns, bridges are custom-made to match the colour and shape of your existing teeth for a seamless result.
Getting a crown or bridge typically involves two appointments. At your first visit, your dentist will prepare the tooth (or teeth), take detailed impressions, and fit a temporary restoration. Your custom crown or bridge is then crafted by a dental laboratory to exact specifications. At your second appointment, we remove the temporary, check the fit and colour of your new restoration, and cement it permanently in place.
Cost depends on materials (porcelain, zirconia, PFM), complexity, and lab fees. In Australia, individual crowns typically range $1,500-$2,500 each; bridges (replacing one tooth between two crowns) cost $4,500-$7,000.
A crown is a custom-made cap (porcelain, zirconia, or metal-ceramic) that covers a weakened or heavily restored tooth to strengthen it and restore its appearance.
A bridge uses artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to adjacent crowned teeth to replace missing teeth. It restores chewing, speech, and aesthetics.
Single crowns: $1,500-$2,500+ each. A 3-unit bridge (two crowns + one pontic): $4,500-$7,000. Bridges are more expensive than individual crowns due to lab work and additional teeth replacement.
Crowns require some removal of natural tooth structure. They are mostly suitable for teeth that have already been weakened by repeated filling procedures or teeth that are cracked. They are not ideal for teeth that are already healthy and have never had any work done on them. Bridges require prep of adjacent teeth and carry risk of decay under margins, damage to pulp, or future failure. Resin-bonded options (like Maryland bridges) are less robust and prone to detachment.
With good oral hygiene, quality crowns and bridges can last 10-15 years or more. Materials like PFM, zirconia, and all-ceramics have high success rates at 10 plus years.
Yes — resin-bonded bridges (e.g. Maryland bridges) bond to the back of support teeth with minimal alteration. However, they're less durable and best suited for small spans (like front teeth).
Bridges use adjacent teeth, implants are independent and prevent bone loss. Implants are more durable long-term but more expensive and require surgery. Bridges are faster and cheaper initially — but may affect neighbouring teeth.
Yes, many extras policies include coverage for major dental treatments like crowns and bridges. However, benefits vary depending on your level of cover, waiting periods, and annual limits. It's best to check with your health fund to confirm your entitlements before proceeding with treatment.