A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It covers the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line and is cemented into place. Dental crowns can be made from various materials such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, depending on the specific needs of the patient.

A dental bridge, on the other hand, is a dental restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of two or more crowns on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth, with a false tooth (pontic) in between. The crowns are placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap to support the false tooth and bridge the space left by the missing tooth.

Both dental crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or dental implants and cannot be removed by the patient. They are commonly used in restorative dentistry to improve the function, appearance, and alignment of the teeth, as well as to prevent further damage or shifting of the remaining teeth.