Quality Restorations for Everyday Dental Needs

Crowns and Bridges in Wollongong for Tooth Restoration

Missing or damaged teeth? Crowns and bridges in Wollongong offer strong, natural-looking restorations that restore function, enhance comfort, and help you smile with renewed confidence.

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How Crowns and Bridges Support Your Dental Health

A crown is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to strengthen and protect it from further damage. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by filling the gap, helping maintain bite alignment and the stability of adjacent teeth.

Together, crowns and bridges restore essential dental functions, supporting chewing, speech, and jaw alignment. Custom-designed to suit your oral condition, they can enhance daily comfort and promote long-term dental health when well-maintained.

The Suitable Candidate for Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges restore damaged or missing teeth. Your dentist will assess key factors to determine if these treatments are right for you.

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Key Benefits of Choosing Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges are commonly recommended restorative treatments. Below is a general overview of their potential benefits for your oral health:

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Reliable and professional dental care across three trusted locations, offering quality service, modern techniques, and a commitment to patient comfort every visit.

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We believe great care starts with listening. Our team of dentists takes time to understand your concerns, explain options clearly, and prioritise your comfort at every step. With a gentle approach, we build long-term relationships with patients of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. It’s the kind of care that grows with you—always personal, always thoughtful, and always delivered with genuine warmth.

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Across all locations, our team brings decades of combined experience in preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Whether you need a routine check-up or complex dental work, we’re committed to consistent, high-quality care delivered by people who genuinely enjoy what they do. You’ll benefit from trusted hands, collaborative advice, and a team that values your long-term oral health goals.

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Modern Clinics With a Local Touch

Our clinics are equipped with digital scanners and intraoral cameras, and our team uses the latest techniques to provide accurate and efficient dentistry. But what really sets us apart is our warm, community-based feel, where you’ll always be greeted by a friendly face that remembers your name. We combine advanced dental care with genuine connection, so your experience feels easy, familiar, and stress-free every time.

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Excellent dentist and ran through everything with me in detail

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common questions about crowns and bridges, including their placement, suitability, and proper care. It’s designed to provide clear, practical guidance before or after treatment.

Dental crowns and dental bridges are both used to restore the appearance and function of teeth, but they serve different roles. Here’s how they compare:

Purpose: 
  • A crown is a custom-made cap placed over a decayed or damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. 
  • A bridge is a dental treatment for tooth loss that replaces one or more missing teeth using artificial teeth supported by neighbouring natural teeth or implants.
Design:
  • A crown is shaped like a natural tooth and covers one tooth or implant. 
  • A bridge includes one or more artificial teeth (pontics) connected to crowns placed on the adjacent teeth to fill the gap.
  • Indications: 
  • A crown is often recommended to restore a damaged or weakened tooth caused by decay or fracture. It may also be placed after root canal therapy to reinforce the tooth. 
  • Bridges are indicated when a tooth is missing and the adjacent teeth are healthy and strong enough to provide reliable support.
    Support: 
  • A crown relies only on the tooth or implant it covers. 
  • A bridge, by contrast, depends on the strength of the neighbouring teeth or implants to stay in place.
  • Your dentist will assess several factors to determine whether a crown or a bridge is suitable for your needs. These include:

    • Condition of your teeth: Crowns are often recommended to strengthen and protect damaged teeth when a tooth is cracked, worn, or has a large filling that compromises its structure. Bridges are considered when one or more teeth are missing.
    • Strength and remaining structure: Placing a crown for a broken tooth requires sufficient healthy tooth structure to achieve a stable and long-lasting fit. Bridges depend on the strength of the teeth or implants next to the gap, which act as the foundation for supporting the restoration.
    • Number and location of missing teeth: A bridge may be used if you're missing a small number of adjacent teeth and the surrounding teeth are healthy enough to support it.
    • Long-term planning: Your dentist will also consider how a crown or bridge-supported tooth replacement fits into your long-term oral health goals. This includes factors like durability, ease of cleaning, and future treatment needs.
    After examining your mouth and reviewing any relevant imaging, your dentist will discuss which option is appropriate for you.

    Crowns and bridges can both play a role in restoring areas where teeth are missing, but they are used differently:

    • Bridges: Used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. The bridge fills the gap with artificial teeth (pontics), restoring function and appearance while helping prevent the shifting of nearby teeth.
    • Crowns: While crowns do not replace missing teeth on their own, they are a key component of dental implants. A crown is placed over an implant post to replicate the visible part of a tooth, restoring both aesthetics and function. 
    Yes, modern materials and techniques are used to create a natural-looking crown or bridge that closely matches the colour, shape, and texture of the surrounding teeth. Here’s how their realistic appearance is achieved:
    • Tooth-coloured materials: Materials like ceramic and porcelain are chosen for their ability to replicate the natural appearance of teeth. Porcelain crowns and bridges, for instance, can closely match the translucency and colour of natural teeth.
    • Custom shading: Your dentist will choose a colour or shade that matches the surrounding teeth. In some cases, small adjustments in tone or layering are made to help the crown or bridge blend naturally with your smile.
    • Shape and contouring: The restoration is shaped to match the natural curves of your teeth. Careful contouring helps the crown or bridge sit naturally alongside neighbouring natural teeth.
    • Surface texture: Subtle details like grooves, ridges, and texture can be added to help the crown or bridge reflect light in a way that resembles tooth enamel.
    • If you're looking for natural-looking crowns and bridges in Wollongong, speak with our team. We will explain how these tooth restoration options can be tailored to look and feel just like your real teeth.

    The lifespan of dental crowns and bridges can vary. For instance, porcelain and ceramic crowns usually last between 5 and 15 years, while a single dental bridge can last over 10 years. Longevity varies depending on the following factors:

    • Material type: Porcelain, metal, and zirconia each offer different levels of durability and resistance to wear.
    • Oral hygiene: Brushing twice daily, flossing around the restoration, and regular professional cleaning help prevent decay and gum disease, which can affect the supporting teeth or implants.
    • Bite and chewing habits: Grinding, clenching, or chewing hard objects (such as nuts, pens, or ice cubes) can lead to faster wear or damage.
    • Placement in the mouth: Custom-made dental restorations on back teeth are more exposed to biting forces compared to those placed on front teeth.
    • Condition of supporting teeth or implants: The health of the teeth or implants that hold the crown or bridge affects how long the restoration remains stable.
    • Regular dental check-ups: Continuous monitoring enables your dentist to detect early signs of wear, adjust the bite as needed, and help extend the lifespan of your restoration.

    Getting a dental crown or bridge usually involves at least two appointments, with steps aimed at creating a comfortable fit and a natural-looking result. Here’s what to expect:

    • Initial examination and planning: Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, take X-rays if needed, and discuss your goals. If a crown or bridge is appropriate, the process begins with treatment planning and selecting a shade that matches your natural teeth.
    • Tooth preparation: The teeth are reshaped to make room for the crown or bridge. This step helps the restoration fit securely and feel comfortable.
    • Impressions or digital scans: An impression or 3D scan is taken to guide the design of your custom restoration. This helps create a natural-looking crown or bridge with a precise fit that aligns with your bite and surrounding teeth.
    • Temporary crown or bridge: A temporary restoration is placed to protect the prepared area while a dental laboratory fabricates the final crown.
    • Final placement: At the second visit, the temporary restoration is removed, and the final crown or bridge is assessed for fit, comfort, and appearance. Once confirmed, it is securely bonded in place.

    Many people find that the process of getting a crown or bridge is not painful. The area is numbed during the procedure to help keep you comfortable. Here’s what you may experience:

    • During the appointment: Your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic before starting the procedure. While you might feel pressure or movement, you shouldn’t feel pain while the tooth is being prepared. If you feel nervous or have a low pain threshold, your dentist can discuss ways to help you feel more at ease.
    • After the appointment: Some sensitivity or mild discomfort is common once the anaesthesia wears off. This usually settles within a few days and can often be managed with over-the-counter pain relief medications.
    • Adjusting to the new restoration: Your bite may feel slightly different at first as you adjust to the crown or bridge. If anything feels uneven or uncomfortable, your dentist can make small adjustments to improve the fit.
    If discomfort persists or worsens after your visit, contact your dentist to have the area re-examined.

    The time you should wait before eating depends on several factors. Your dentist will give personalised advice based on your procedure, but here are the main things that can affect when you can eat:

    • Use of local anaesthetic: It’s important to wait until the anaesthesia wears off so that you don’t accidentally bite your tongue or cheek.
    • Bonding material setting time: Some cements need time to fully set. Your dentist may advise avoiding hard or sticky foods, such as nuts or gum, for a few hours after the temporary or final restoration is placed to allow the cement to harden.
    • Sensitivity or bite changes: If your bite feels slightly off or the area is sensitive, you may prefer to eat softer foods for a short period while adjusting. Additionally, chewing on the side of the mouth involved should be avoided.
    • Chewing habits: To help protect the crown or bridge, it’s a good idea to avoid biting into hard objects like ice, pens, or very tough foods.

    Dental crowns are made from different materials. Each is suited to different situations depending on where the crown will be placed, how much biting force it is exposed to, and how closely it should match nearby teeth. Your dentist will help you choose according to your needs.

    Common materials include the following:

    • Porcelain: Porcelain is a tooth-coloured material that blends well with natural teeth. It is commonly used to restore front teeth, such as placing a crown for a broken tooth in a highly visible area to improve both function and appearance.
    • Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): These crowns combine the natural look of porcelain with the strength of metal. They are durable and suitable for both front and back teeth. In some cases, a dark line may appear near the gum over time as the metal edge becomes visible.
    • Zirconia: Zirconia is a strong, tooth-coloured material often used for crowns on back teeth. It offers high strength and can be layered with porcelain to improve its appearance if used in visible areas.
    • Gold alloy and other metals: Metal crowns made of gold or base metal alloys are highly durable. These materials are often used on molars where function is prioritised. They can effectively strengthen and protect damaged teeth while preserving a more natural structure.

    Crowns and bridges are custom-designed to meet each patient’s specific needs, so costs can vary. The following factors are typically considered when determining the overall cost of treatment:

    • Type and material: The material and design of your restoration can influence the overall cost. For example, porcelain crowns and bridges usually cost more than metal-based options due to their aesthetic qualities. Similarly, bridges that require more crowns or units to cover a larger area involve higher fees compared to those that are designed to replace fewer teeth.
    • Number of teeth involved: The total cost of crowns and bridges increases with the number of teeth being restored. More units require more materials, planning, and lab work, which all contribute to higher overall pricing.
    • Location in the mouth: Tooth restoration options on back teeth are often built to handle greater chewing forces. Front teeth may require more detailed aesthetic work, which can influence material selection and pricing.
    • Laboratory and custom design: High-quality dental restorations often involve the services of a dental laboratory. Custom shading, fit, and finish performed by skilled technicians can affect overall cost depending on the lab's services and technology.

    Yes, dental bridges require support from the teeth or implants adjacent to the missing tooth or gap. These supporting structures, known as abutments, are essential for anchoring the bridge securely in place. The artificial tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns placed on the abutment teeth or to connectors attached to implants. 

    For a bridge to be successful, the abutment teeth must be healthy and strong enough to bear the additional load. Your dentist will assess these supporting teeth or recommend implants if needed to achieve proper function, stability, and long-term success of the dental bridge restoration.

    A dental bridge is intended to last for many years, but it can become loose or dislodged for the following reasons:

    • Wear on the cement: The bonding material that holds the bridge in place can weaken over time, especially with repeated chewing or grinding.
    • Changes in the supporting teeth: If the teeth supporting the bridge develop decay or gum disease, the stability of the bridge may be affected.
    • Bite pressure or habits: Chewing on hard objects or teeth grinding (bruxism) can place extra force on the bridge, increasing the risk of it becoming loose.
    • Oral hygiene: Inadequate cleaning around the bridge can lead to problems such as decay or gum disease, which may affect the bridge's stability.
    • If a bridge feels loose or comes out, it’s important to see your dentist promptly. In many cases, it can be recemented or replaced after checking the health of the underlying teeth.

    Dental bridges are a reliable option for replacing missing teeth, but there are some limitations to consider:

    • Removal of some natural tooth structure: The teeth on either side of the gap (called abutment teeth) need to be reshaped to support the bridge. This involves removing some of the natural tooth structure, which cannot be reversed.
    • Risk to supporting teeth: If the abutment teeth are affected by decay, gum disease, or damage over time, the entire bridge may lose stability or need to be replaced.
    • Harder to clean: Cleaning under and around a bridge can be more challenging than cleaning natural teeth. Special floss or interdental brushes may be needed to help maintain gum health.
    • Not always suitable: A bridge relies on the strength of nearby natural teeth. If these teeth aren’t healthy or stable enough, your dentist may recommend an alternative, such as an implant-supported bridge.

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    While dental bridges can be an effective option for replacing missing teeth, they’re not suitable for everyone. Your dentist will assess your oral health to determine whether a bridge is appropriate for you.

    You may not be suited for a dental bridge if:
    • The surrounding teeth are not strong enough: Bridges rely on adjacent teeth for support. If these teeth are loose, damaged, or lack sufficient healthy structure, they may not provide the necessary stability.
    • There is advanced gum disease or bone loss: Healthy gums and bone are important for supporting a bridge. If there is active periodontal disease or significant loss of support, other options may be considered.
    • Multiple teeth are missing in different areas: A bridge is designed to span a single gap. When several teeth are missing in separate parts of the mouth, a different option, such as a denture or implant, may be more practical.
    • There are concerns around the area of the missing tooth: Decay, inflammation, or other issues affecting the gums or nearby teeth may need to be addressed before a bridge can be placed.

    Private health funds may help with the cost of dental crowns and bridges, depending on your policy. However, the level of assistance and conditions attached can differ between providers. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Type of policy: Not all health fund policies include major dental services. It's important to check whether your plan includes crowns, bridges, or similar procedures.
    • Annual limits: Many policies have a yearly maximum they’ll contribute towards dental services, which may affect how much is paid back to you.
    • Waiting periods: Some health funds require that you’ve held your policy for a certain period—often several months—before you can claim for certain procedures.
    • Out-of-pocket costs: If your health fund doesn’t cover the full amount, you’ll have to pay the remaining balance yourself.
    • Before booking your procedure for crowns and bridges in Wollongong, our team can provide a detailed quote. We’ll also advise you on what to share with your health fund. This helps clarify any potential benefits or limits before treatment begins.