Crowns and bridges are dental restorations that repair damaged or unsightly teeth and perfect your beautiful smile. If you require a dental restoration due to a cavity or misshapen tooth, Phuong Le, DMD, and the experienced dental team can help. At Le Dentistry & Associates in Norcross, Georgia, they offer crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations to protect your teeth and make you confident about your smile. Call the office for an appointment or book one online today.
request an appointmentWhat are crowns and bridges?
Crowns and bridges restore teeth that are damaged in some way, including teeth that are:
- Chipped
- Cracked
- Misshapen
- Decayed
- Discolored
- Uneven
- Gapped
- Missing
Crowns are custom-made caps often made of porcelain, that fit securely over natural teeth to restore their function and appearance. Your dentist may recommend a crown if you’ve recently had a filling, root canal, or dental implants.
Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. They often consist of two crowns with an artificial tooth in between. Implant-supported bridges fit securely over dental implants to restore your smile when you have more than one missing tooth. Bridges are either fixed or removable.
What should I expect during crown or bridge placement?
Your dentist reviews your medical history, completes a thorough dental exam, and takes X-rays to determine if you’re a candidate for a crown or bridge. Crown and bridge placement is typically a multiple-step procedure.
Traditional crowns and bridges
During the first visit, your dentist reshapes the tooth requiring a crown and takes impressions or a digital scan of your teeth.
You might receive a temporary crown or bridge while a dental lab creates your new one. When it’s ready, your provider cements the crown or bridge securely in place.
Implant-supported crown and bridges
If you and your dentist decide implant-supported crowns or bridges are right for you, your dental team surgically places implants within your jawbone.
Once the implants heal, you’ll return for another appointment, so your provider can take impressions or a digital scan of your teeth. After a lab creates your implant-supported crown or bridge, your dentist secures it in place.
How should I care for my crown or bridge?
Your crown or bridge might last up to eight years or longer with proper care:
- Brush twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss every day
- Avoid hard foods, such as ice and hard candy
- Attend regular dental cleanings and checkups
- Call your dentist if a crown or bridge becomes loose
You don’t have to live with decayed or unsightly teeth that ruin your beautiful smile. Call Le Dentistry & Associates to learn more about tooth restoration options, or schedule an appointment online today.