Crowns and Bridges

Two restorations that do related jobs

Crowns and bridges correct dental problems while protecting and strengthening what is already there.

A dental crown is custom made to fit over a damaged natural tooth. It restores the tooth's function and gives it strength and support. A dental bridge fills the space left by a missing tooth to complete your smile.

Updated techniques and materials have made placing both easier and more predictable than they have ever been.

When a crown is the right answer

• A severely decayed tooth
• A tooth weakened by root canal treatment
• A fractured or broken tooth
• A broken filling
• A large, unattractive filling worth replacing

When a bridge is the right answer

A bridge fills the space left by a missing tooth. It is usually made as a single unit, held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side. Beyond appearance, a bridge stops the surrounding teeth drifting out of position and migrating into the empty space — which is what causes bite problems years later.

What the appointments look like

A crown or bridge usually takes two or three visits.

1. First visit. We prepare the natural tooth to receive the restoration and take impressions. This is where our intra-oral scanner earns its keep — a digital impression takes about a minute, with no tray of impression material and no gagging, and it is more accurate than the traditional method.
2. In between. The impression goes to a dental lab, which takes roughly two weeks to make your permanent restoration. You leave with a temporary crown or bridge to wear in the meantime.
3. Final visit. We check the finished restoration for fit and appearance, adjust as needed, and cement it permanently in place.

Before you leave, we will go through how to care for it. It is fully functional, but a little sense about what you bite down on will add years to its life.