Crowns And Bridges Specialist

What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges are oral prosthetics used to repair damaged, decaying, or missing teeth. Many people group crowns and bridges together, but they’re actually two different things.

Crowns

Crowns are tooth-shaped coverings used to repair a cracked, chipped, or decaying tooth. Once bonded into place, a crown covers the entire portion of your tooth above the gumline. Crowns prevent harmful bacteria from entering the center of your tooth. They also restore your tooth’s integrity, allowing you to bite and chew confidently.

Bridges

Bridges help close a gap in your smile caused by a missing tooth. If you lose a permanent tooth, it’s important to fill the space quickly. Left untreated, lost teeth result in gum recession, bone loss, and other more serious oral health problems.

What is the process of getting crowns and bridges?

Getting crowns and bridges usually takes a series of appointments spaced several weeks apart. 

If you’re getting a crown, the Japantown Dental team conducts an oral exam, reviews your oral health history, and asks about your goals for treatment. They then prepare your tooth to receive a crown by shaving a thin layer of enamel (about one millimeter thick) off the top and sides.

Next, the team takes impressions of your affected tooth and sends them to a dental lab that manufactures your crown. A week or two later, you return to Japantown Dental. The team lines up your crown with your tooth and carefully bonds it in place.

If you’re getting a dental bridge, the team conducts an oral exam and prepares you to receive a bridge. To do this, they remove a thin layer of enamel from the top and sides of your two teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. They then take impressions and send them to a dental lab that creates your bridge.

A week or two later, you return to Japantown Dental. The team lines up your dental bridge with the gap in your smile and bonds it in place with dental crowns or a supportive metal framework.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

On average, crowns and bridges typically last for 10-15 years. You can extend the lifespan of your crowns and bridges by brushing and flossing daily and visiting Japantown Dental every six months for an oral exam and cleaning. 

To prevent chips, cracks, or other damage, the team recommends wearing a mouthguard during exercise and avoiding bad habits like nail biting or opening objects with your teeth.

To see if you’re a good candidate for crowns and bridges, schedule an appointment at Japantown Dental. Book a consultation online or call the office to speak with a friendly staff member today.