A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on a tooth that has that has lost a large part of its structure. There are several different types of crowns ranging from all porcelain to full metal. Your dentist will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each kind for you.
In the past it typically required two appointments to complete a crown restoration. In our office Drs. McAfee and LaGrone have to option of creating your crown with CEREC (a one appointment crown). This treatment would be determined by the doctor at your exam.
A bridge is a fixed appliance created to replace missing teeth. It is made up of two abutment crowns(crowns placed on each tooth adjacent to the missing tooth) joined by a pontic (the artificial tooth the substitutes for the missing tooth).
Both crowns and bridges are cemented or bonded to teeth. With today's improvements in ceramics these restorations can look more like natural teeth because of the tooth-colored appearance.