Tens of millions of Americans have turned to crowns and bridges to improve damaged teeth or replace missing teeth. Sinclair Davis, DDS, Diana Diaz, RDH, and the team at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry in Washington, DC, offer both of these restorations. Crowns and bridges are custom-made for patients to fit snugly and address personalized cosmetic and oral health needs, including chips, cracks, discoloration, and gaps. To learn more about crowns and bridges and how they work, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.

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What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns are protective caps that help restore damaged teeth or replace missing teeth. They are designed to match the color, shape, and size of your other natural teeth.

Crowns are often used to protect or improve the appearance and function of:

  • Chipped teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Teeth susceptible to fracture
  • Teeth that have undergone a root canal

Bridges, on the other hand, are sets of prosthetic teeth used to “bridge” gaps in your smile. Like crowns, bridges are tooth-colored and closely resemble natural teeth in terms of shade, size, and function.

How do crowns and bridges work?

In order to get a crown or a bridge, you generally need to come in for at least two visits to the office. At your first visit, the Georgetown Advanced Dentistry team will take detailed impressions of your teeth. These impressions are used to custom-make your restoration.

The team at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry sends your impressions off to an outside dental lab where your crown or bridge is produced. It generally takes 1-2 weeks for your crown or bridge to be made.

When your restoration is ready, you come back in for a follow-up visit. Your dentist will make sure your crown or bridge fits properly. Crowns are either bonded with a special dental adhesive onto an existing tooth or are attached to dental implants. Bridges are either bonded to neighboring teeth that act as stabilizing anchors or are attached to dental implants.

What are the benefits of crowns and bridges?

Damaged or missing teeth don’t function properly and put you at risk for oral health problems. Both crowns and bridges help restore the function of your teeth and improve your chewing, speech, and digestion. Both crowns and bridges can prevent your teeth from shifting into empty spaces and protect damaged teeth from further decay.

Also, both restorations can drastically enhance your appearance. Crowns and bridges are both extremely natural-looking, filling gaps in your smile or blending in naturally with your existing teeth.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

Crowns and bridges can last anywhere from 5-15 years, depending on how well you take care of them. You should practice good oral hygiene and treat your restoration as you would natural teeth. That means brushing and flossing regularly and keeping up with your professional dental exams and cleanings at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry. This will help ensure your crown or bridge lasts a long time.

To schedule a consultation, call the office, or book an appointment online today.