Crowns and bridges restore damaged or missing teeth. At Alki Dental in Seattle, Washington, Hanbit Chi, DDS, and Sara Park, DDS, provide these sturdy, attractive dental restorations. Explore your crown and bridge options by setting up an appointment today. Call the West Seattle office or use the online tool to request your visit.
Dental crowns are restorations made from porcelain. They “cap” a tooth that’s damaged or misshapen. Bridges are a more extensive restoration that fills in gaps in your smile with a prosthetic tooth. Both types of treatment restore your smile’s look and function.
Crowns restore the functionality of teeth that are weak, damaged, or unsightly. You might need a crown for one of the following reasons:
Crowns also anchor dental bridges.
When you have one or more missing teeth, a bridge is a possible solution. The bridge consists of a prosthetic tooth anchored to two crowns placed on natural teeth surrounding the gap.
A bridge creates a seamless smile and prevents the shifts in natural teeth that can happen when you have missing teeth.
Plan for your crown or bridge appointment to take at least two visits. For the crown, your first visit involves preparing your tooth to receive the restoration. Your dentist shaves a tiny amount of your natural enamel down, so the crown fits well. They take impressions of your tooth and send them to a specialized dental lab where your crown is crafted. You receive a temporary crown until your permanent version comes in.
At the second crown appointment, your dentist removes the temporary crown and cements your permanent one into place. The crown matches your tooth coloration and bite exactly. If you need any refinements to your bite, your dentist makes these before you leave to enjoy your new tooth.
At your first bridge appointment, your dentist prepares the teeth that will hold the crown and sets them with temporary versions. They also take impressions and measurements to send to the lab to craft your permanent crowns and bridge.
When the restorations come back from the lab, your dentist bonds the crowns to the anchoring teeth and fasten the bridge into place.
They make any refinements to the fit and look of your crown, and then you’re ready to use your new smile.
If you’re in need of dental restorations like crowns and bridges, contact Alki Dental. Call the office or use this website to set up your appointment online.