Crowns and bridges repair damaged, decaying, or missing teeth. Though frequently mentioned together, crowns and bridges are two different things:
A crown is a cap made of porcelain or another tough material bonded on top of a damaged or decaying tooth. It restores your tooth’s size and appearance, making it easy to bite and chew confidently.
A bridge closes a gap in your smile caused by an extracted or knocked-out permanent tooth. To prevent your bridge from moving out of position, your Tukwila Dental Smiles provider bonds crowns or a metal framework to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
At Tukwila Dental Smiles, getting a crown or a bridge takes two visits.
Before recommending a crown or a bridge, your provider conducts an oral exam and takes a series of oral X-rays. If they determine you can benefit, they numb your mouth with a local anesthetic and take impressions.
Your provider sends the impressions to a dental laboratory that uses them to design and manufacture a custom dental restoration.
When the lab finishes your crown or bridge, you return to Tukwila Dental Smiles. Your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic, lines up the crown or bridge with the rest of your teeth, and carefully bonds it in place. Afterward, they provide care instructions.
The cost of crowns and bridges varies, depending on the material used and the extent of the damage or decay repaired. Following an initial consultation, the team can provide a custom estimate that aligns with your needs.
Crowns and bridges typically last 10-12* years, but it’s possible to extend their use by practicing good oral hygiene. The team at Tukwila Dental Smiles recommends:
It’s also a good idea to avoid bad habits like biting your fingernails or opening plastic packaging with your teeth.
If you’d like to learn more about crowns and bridges, make an appointment at Tukwila Dental Smiles by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.
*Individual results may vary.