Which type of dental prosthetic is designed to cover a missing tooth?

The correct choice involves understanding the specific roles of dental prosthetics in restoring missing teeth. A crown is a type of prosthesis placed over an existing tooth, typically to restore its shape, strength, and function when the tooth is damaged but still present. In contrast, a bridge is specifically designed to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth.

Both solutions, crowns and bridges, directly address the issue of missing teeth, but they do so in different contexts. A bridge uses crowns on adjacent teeth to support the replacement of the missing tooth in between. Therefore, in scenarios where there is a single missing tooth, a bridge can effectively cover that gap by utilizing crowns to stabilize the prosthetic.

Thus, recognizing that both a crown (in cases where a remaining tooth requires capping) and a bridge (to fill the gap of a missing tooth) are involved in addressing missing teeth justifies the choice that considers both options. This comprehensive understanding is essential for dental professionals in providing suitable treatment plans for patients requiring prosthetic solutions.