Our Services / Crowns and Bridges

What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges repair damaged, decaying, or missing teeth. Though frequently mentioned together, crowns and bridges are two different things:

Crowns

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. 

Bridges

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.

What does the process of getting crowns and bridges involve?

At Tukwila Dental Smiles, getting a crown or a bridge takes two visits.

First crowns and bridges visit

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.

Second crowns and bridges visit

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.

How much do crowns and bridges cost?

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.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

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:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily
• Flossing at least once a day
• Visiting the dentist every six months for an oral exam and teeth cleaning
• Wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports or doing other physical activities

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.