Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges are prosthetics that correct a smile with missing or damaged teeth. Unlike dentures — which can be taken out — crowns and bridges are cemented to your existing teeth or implants.

A crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. We may recommend a crown for the following reasons:

• Restore a fractured tooth or protect a tooth from fracturing
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth, or to cover a dental implant
• In lieu of a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• Protect a tooth that has had a root canal

Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. It is important to take action on missing teeth, as gaps may lead to gum disease, and eventually damage your bite by causing your other teeth to move into the empty spaces.

We use a similar procedure for fitting either a new crown or bridge. First, we prepare your existing teeth and provide a temporary crown or bridge to protect them. We then take an impression of your mouth to make sure the prosthetic will be a good fit, and our dental lab uses that impression to create your crown or bridge. When the permanent device is ready, the temporary one is removed, and the new is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.