Our Services / Crowns & Bridges

What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges are dental restorations that repair damaged or missing teeth. These prosthetics are often mentioned together, but they’re two different things:

Crowns

A crown covers a damaged or severely decaying tooth. It’s a synthetic cap that restores your enamel to its near-original size, appearance, and strength. In most cases, crowns are applied to the molars or premolars –– the teeth at the very back of your mouth.

Bridges

A bridge fills a gap in your smile. There are several types of bridges, but they all have one (or more) artificial teeth and two crowns or a metal framework. Your Dentistry of Kingwood provider bonds the crowns or the framework to your existing healthy teeth, preventing the bridge from moving out of position.

What do getting crowns and bridges involve?

At Dentistry of Kingwood, getting a crown or a bridge takes two visits spaced a week or two apart.

First visit

At your initial consultation, your Dentistry of Kingwood provider conducts an oral exam and takes a series of oral X-rays. If you have a damaged, severely decaying, or missing tooth, you qualify for a crown or a bridge.

Your provider takes impressions of your mouth and sends them to a professional dental laboratory. Techs at the lab use your impressions to design and manufacture a custom crown or a custom dental bridge.

Second visit

When your custom restoration is finished, you visit Dentistry of Kingwood for the second time. Your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and carefully bonds your crown or bridge in place. Then, they polish the restoration and provide care instructions.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

The length of time that a crown or bridge lasts depends on various factors, including if you practice good oral hygiene and the type of activities you enjoy in your free time. 

To keep your crown or bridge in optimal shape, the team at Dentistry of Kingwood recommends:

• Brushing twice daily
• Flossing before going to bed
• Avoiding bad habits like chewing on ice cubes or biting your fingernails
• Wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports

Also, visit the team at Dentistry of Kingwood once every six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning. 

By following these guidelines, your crown or bridge can last 10-12* years and maybe even longer.

To explore the benefits of crowns and bridges, make an appointment at Dentistry of Kingwood by calling the office today or clicking the online scheduling feature.

*Individual results may vary.