Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges are a great way to protect your teeth and replace missing ones.

A crown wraps around the tooth and protects it from wear and tear. It is like placing a ceramic helmet on your tooth. Unlike a filling which simply fills holes in a tooth, a crown strengthens and protects the tooth from further cracks and damage, restoring it back to its former glory.

A crown procedure involves two appointments. At the first appointment, we shape the tooth to prepare it for the crown. Then we take a digital scan of your tooth with our high tech scanners and send it to a dental lab that creates the crown. For front teeth, our scanners can also shade match your teeth or pick a whiter shade to create your perfect smile. While the final crown is being fabricated, we place a temporary crown to protect your tooth. When you return for the second appointment, the temporary crown is gently removed and the final crown is cemented in place. Many times this can be done without freezing.

A bridge is a multi-unit crown which is done to replace missing teeth by placing two crowns, one on each tooth next to a missing space. During the first appointment, both of these teeth are prepared for the crown. When the bridge is to be cemented on the second appointment, it will consist of the two crowns connected by a floating tooth which fits into the empty space, replacing your missing tooth. Unlike a partial denture, the crowns and bridge are cemented in place, and are not designed to be removed.

Crowns are a great way to protect and strengthen your teeth, as well as replace missing ones. They can last a very long time but they must be taken care of with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups.