Crowns and Bridges

A dental crown is a cap that is custom-made for your tooth to cover the tooth and restore its shape, size, and strength. Dental crowns may be used to cover a decayed tooth, a cracked tooth, or a tooth that has had other dental work, such as root canal therapy. Dental crowns may also be used to cover a dental implant or hold a dental bridge in place. A dental bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. The dental bridge contains a false tooth that is connected to the surrounding teeth.

Dental Crown

A crown is a restoration that is placed over the entire tooth to protect and restore its function and appearance. It may be used after root canal therapy when a tooth has fractured, or a large filling needs to be replaced. Crowns are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. They are bonded to the tooth using dental cement for a secure and comfortable fit.

The benefit of having a crown placed is that it restores full chewing ability and protects the tooth from further damage. It also prevents your neighboring teeth from shifting out of place.

While every patient is different, most crowns last about eight years or more before they need to be replaced with a newer one that matches the current color of your teeth. With proper care, including daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups, you can help your crown last a long time.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is made up of an artificial tooth that is fused to one or more dental crowns on either side. The crowns are cemented onto your teeth, anchoring the bridge in place. By replacing the gap with a prosthetic tooth or teeth, you can prevent your remaining teeth from drifting out of position and creating issues.

There are two types of dental bridges. The first is a “traditional” bridge that uses two crowned teeth and one false tooth in the middle to fill the gap. The second type uses a series of three crowned teeth that function as a single unit and are anchored by metal posts. Traditional bridges are often recommended when the two adjacent teeth on either side of the gap are in relatively good condition. If they are not, your dentist may recommend the fixed-bridge option instead.

Bridges are often recommended for patients suffering from tooth loss because their benefits outweigh the relatively low cost. In addition to filling in gaps left by missing teeth, they can also help restore the appearance of your smile and prevent problems related to shifting teeth. 

Call Dr. Kevin D. Fong, DDS, at (510) 783-1572 or schedule an online appointment to learn more about crowns and bridges. Email us at kevinfongdds@gmail.com to learn more about our services.