Dental Crown & Bridge Specialist

What are dental crowns and bridges?

Crowns are tooth-colored porcelain covers that go over broken, filed or worn-down teeth. Crowns also function as replacement teeth for dental implants and hold dental bridges in place.

A dental bridge is an appliance that goes over the gums and replaces missing teeth. Often, the ends of the bridge are secured by crowns over the neighboring teeth.

What problems do dental crowns and bridges fix?

Dental crowns and bridges replace a single missing tooth or teeth that still have healthy adjacent teeth. The bridge fits right over the empty socket, and the crowns go over the top of the adjacent teeth.

The experts at Fairfax Corner Dental can color-match bridges and crowns to your natural gums and teeth, giving you back your natural smile without any noticeable effects.

What happens during a bridge and crown procedure?

Dental bridge and crown placement take several trips to the dentist. At your first appointment, your dentist at Fairfax Corner Dental assesses your oral health and structural integrity. They take your health history, perform an oral exam, and take X-rays to determine the best course of action.

At your next appointment, your dentist prepares your support teeth for crowns. They administer local anesthesia, file down the support teeth, and take impressions of the treatment area to send to the lab. They can also send you home with a temporary crown until your new one is ready.

Once the lab returns your custom-fitted crowns and bridge, your dentist has you return for fitting and installation. Your dentist places the bridge over the gums, cements the crowns over the adjacent teeth, and assesses your bite.

What are the advantages of bridges and crowns?

Bridges and crowns don’t require a different brushing or flossing regimen than your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, you don’t have to remove them or use any special solutions to clean them every day.

Once it’s cemented to the surrounding teeth, the oral appliance is also meant to stay in place long-term. With modern advancements, proper care, and good oral health, a bridge may last a lifetime.

If you have missing teeth you’d like to fix, contact Fairfax Corner Dental online or over the phone to discuss how bridges and crowns can give you back a smile you’re proud to show.