You don’t have to live with a cracked, worn, or missing tooth. Harry Squire, DDS, and the team at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry in Chesapeake, Virginia, offer a full scope of cosmetic and restorative dental solutions, including porcelain crowns and dental bridges. If you’re ready to get your flawless smile back in just two office visits, call or click online to schedule an appointment today.

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What is a dental crown?

A dental crown, or “cap,” is a custom artificial tooth made to cover and protect a natural tooth that’s weak, worn, or otherwise damaged. Installing a crown over a problematic tooth is an easy and effective way to restore strength, function, and appearance all at once.  

Dr. Squire may use a crown to: 

  • Conceal a cracked or chipped tooth
  • Hide a discolored or misshapen tooth
  • Cover and protect a weak tooth
  • Restore full function to a worn tooth

Fabricated from durable dental ceramics (porcelain), crowns are also the restoration of choice for finishing a dental implant or attaching bridgework.

What is a dental bridge? 

A bridge is a series of adjoined artificial teeth that are designed to replace missing adult teeth. Whether you’ve lost one tooth or a few, a dental bridge fills the gap with a natural looking, flawlessly fitted restoration.

There are two ways that bridgework can effectively “bridge the gap” created by missing teeth:

Tooth-supported bridge

This type of bridge uses your natural, healthy teeth as abutments, or support anchors. 

If you’re missing one tooth, a tooth-supported bridge consists of three adjoining dental crowns: the crowns fit over your natural teeth on either side of the gap, and the crown in the middle, called a pontic, fills the gap.

Implant-supported bridge

If you’re missing more than one tooth, an implant-supported bridge may be an ideal solution. As its name implies, this type of bridge is fitted into your bite using dental implants as the main anchors of support. Like an implant, this type of bridge is strong, resilient, and long-lasting. 

How do I take care of my restoration?

Made from durable, high-tech dental materials and permanently cemented into place, crowns and bridges are crafted to last for many years, if not decades. With proper care, you can help ensure that your restoration has maximal longevity. 

On top of brushing twice a day and flossing thoroughly, it’s important to take extra care to clean the area where your crown meets your gums or your bridge meets your natural teeth.

It’s also important to have routine dental exams and cleanings to ensure your restoration remains in good condition over time.

To learn more about dental crowns, dental bridges, or any of the restorative solutions available at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry, call the office or click online to schedule a visit today.