North Bend, WA
Dental Crowns & Bridges
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fully encases a damaged or decayed tooth to improve its health, strength, and appearance. Dental crowns can be made from various materials, including zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), gold, and all-porcelain.
There are several reasons why you may need a dental crown, including the following:
- To support a tooth with extensive decay
- To protect a weak tooth and prevent it from breaking
- To strengthen and protect a tooth after root canal therapy
- To hold together the parts of a cracked or fractured tooth
- To restore a tooth worn down due to grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- To restore one or more missing teeth by covering a dental implant or holding a dental bridge in place
- To improve the appearance of a misshapen, severely stained, or not-so-perfect tooth
What Is the Dental Crown Placement Procedure?
The procedure will depend on the material of your crown. In most cases, you will require two dental appointments. We will start by numbing the area, removing any damaged or decayed tooth structure, and shaping the tooth to accommodate your new crown. Next, we will use our state-of-the-art intraoral scanner to capture 3D images of the affected tooth to send to our dental laboratory for fabrication. Meanwhile, we will place a temporary crown for protection.
When your permanent crown is ready, you will return to our office to have it placed. We will make any adjustments needed for a comfortable bite and cement your crown in place. Your new restoration will look and function just like a natural tooth. We prefer the two-visit crown technique because the large laboratory mills used to shape the crown are more precise than smaller in-office mills. That results in better-fitting crowns.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is an oral prosthetic device used to replace one or more adjacent teeth. A bridge is anchored to crowns placed on existing teeth on either side of the gap called abutment teeth. Dental bridges are made from the same high-quality materials as dental crowns, delivering superior, long-lasting results.
There are many reasons we recommend replacing missing teeth with dental bridges, including the following:
- They provide virtually undetectable results
- They improve the appearance and function of your smile
- They help maintain your facial structure
- They restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile without worry or pain
- They help prevent the neighboring teeth from shifting and creating cleaning issues down the road
- They distribute your bite forces evenly, lowering the risk of uneven tooth wear, tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ problems
- They can last for many years with proper care
What Is the Dental Bridge Placement Process?
Restoring your smile with a dental bridge typically requires two visits. During the first visit, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic and prepare your natural teeth neighboring the gap by removing small amounts of enamel. Next, we will take 3D scans using our innovative intraoral scanner that our dental laboratory will use to create your restoration. Meanwhile, we will place a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth.
During the second visit, we will ensure your permanent bridge provides a perfect fit and color match, and then we will cement it in place. We will make any needed adjustments for your comfort. You’ll leave our office with a beautiful, functional smile.
Dental Crowns and Bridges Near Me in North Bend, WA
For more information about restoring damaged or missing teeth, contact Mt Si Dental Center in North Bend, WA, today. Dr. Beckham and his team are pleased to offer quality dental crowns and bridges using leading-edge technology, techniques, and materials.
Call us at 425-888-6522 to schedule a consultation, or use our online form to request an appointment today!
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If you’re looking for cutting-edge dentistry and top-notch care, your search stops here. Our Mt Si Dental Center team will not only meet but exceed your expectations. We invite you to request your appointment today!