Severe Decay:
When a cavity is too large to be repaired with a standard filling, inlay, or onlay.
Restore Your Smile’s Strength and Beauty with Crowns and Bridges
When a tooth is severely damaged, or when you are missing one or more teeth entirely, it can significantly impact your ability to chew, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Ignoring these issues can also lead to further dental complications, such as the shifting of surrounding teeth or bone loss.
At Bright Whites Dental in Franconia, Alexandria, VA, we offer high-quality, custom-crafted dental crowns and bridges to restore the function, strength, and natural appearance of your smile. Whether you need to protect a weakened tooth or bridge the gap left by a missing one, our expert team utilizes advanced materials to provide durable, lifelike restorations.
Dental Crowns: Complete Protection for Damaged Teeth
A dental crown (sometimes called a "cap") is a custom-made restoration that completely covers the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth, right down to the gum line. Crowns are designed to restore the tooth's original shape, size, strength, and appearance.
When is a Dental Crown Recommended?
Our dental team may recommend a dental crown in several situations:
Fractured or Broken Teeth:
To hold together parts of a cracked tooth or protect a weak tooth from breaking.
After a Root Canal:
Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy become brittle and require a crown for protection and structural support.
Cosmetic Enhancement:
To cover severely discolored, misshapen, or poorly aligned teeth.
Dental Implants:
A crown is attached to a dental implant to serve as the functional, visible replacement tooth.
Dental Bridges: A Reliable Solution for Missing Teeth
If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth, a dental bridge is an excellent, fixed (non-removable) solution to fill the gap. A bridge literally "bridges" the space left by missing teeth.
A traditional dental bridge consists of two or more crowns placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap (these are called the abutment teeth). These crowns serve as anchors to hold a false tooth (called a pontic) securely in place in the middle.
The Benefits of a Dental Bridge:
Restores Function:
Allows you to chew and speak properly again.
Prevents Shifting:
Keeps your remaining natural teeth from drifting out of position into the empty space, which can cause bite problems and TMJ pain.
Maintains Facial Shape:
Prevents the sunken facial appearance that can occur when multiple teeth are missing.
Aesthetic Improvement:
Fills the unsightly gap with a natural-looking replacement tooth, restoring your complete smile.
The Procedure for Crowns and Bridges
Getting a crown or a bridge typically requires two visits to our Alexandria, VA office.
- First Visit (Preparation): We will first numb the area to ensure you are completely comfortable. For a crown, the damaged tooth is reshaped to make room for the restoration. For a bridge, the abutment teeth on either side of the gap are prepared. We then take highly accurate impressions of your teeth, which are sent to our trusted dental laboratory where your custom crown or bridge will be fabricated. We will place a temporary crown or bridge to protect your teeth while you wait.
- Second Visit (Placement): Once your permanent restoration is ready (usually in about two weeks), you will return to our office. We will remove the temporary restoration and carefully check the fit, color, and bite of your new crown or bridge. Once everything is perfect, we will permanently cement it into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are crowns and bridges made of?
At Bright Whites Dental, we offer crowns and bridges made from a variety of high-quality materials, including all-porcelain (ceramic), porcelain fused to metal (PFM), and gold alloys. For front teeth, we highly recommend all-porcelain restorations because they most closely mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth. We will discuss the best material for your specific needs based on the location of the tooth and your aesthetic goals.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
With excellent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, high-quality crowns and bridges can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and often much longer. While the restoration itself cannot decay, the natural tooth structure underneath a crown or the abutment teeth supporting a bridge are still susceptible to cavities and gum disease, so daily brushing and flossing are essential.
Is it painful to get a crown or bridge?
No. We use effective local anesthesia to completely numb the teeth and surrounding gums before any preparation begins. You will not feel pain during the procedure. You may experience some mild sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days after the permanent restoration is placed, but this is temporary.
How do I clean under a dental bridge?
Because a bridge is a connected unit, you cannot floss between the false tooth and the anchor teeth in the traditional way. We will show you how to use special tools, such as floss threaders or interdental brushes, to clean underneath the pontic (false tooth) and keep your gums healthy.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
Failing to replace a missing tooth can lead to a cascade of dental problems. The surrounding teeth will naturally begin to shift and tilt into the empty space, altering your bite and making those teeth harder to clean (increasing the risk of decay and gum disease). It can also lead to bone loss in the jaw.
Are there alternatives to a dental bridge?
Yes. The premier alternative to a dental bridge is a dental implant. An implant replaces both the root and the crown of the missing tooth and does not require altering the adjacent healthy teeth. We offer both bridges and implants at Bright Whites Dental and will help you determine which option is best for your specific situation.
