Dental Crowns and Bridges, A Practical Way to Restore Compromised Teeth

Restore a healthy smile with dental crowns and bridges. These dental restorations fill gaps and protect vulnerable teeth. At Freedom Dental, experienced dentist Cheng Zhu, DMD, provides dental crowns and bridges to patients in Fairfield, California. Call the office or request an appointment online to find out if these dental restorations are right for you.

Dental Crowns and Bridges Q & A

What is a dental crown?

Crowns are like caps that fit right over your existing teeth. Crowns are also used to anchor bridges and finish a dental implant. Crowns are customized to match the color and shape of your natural teeth.

Who needs a dental crown?

Dr. Zhu may recommend a crown for any of the following purposes:

• Protect a chipped or cracked tooth from fracture
• Restore the look of a permanently discolored tooth
• Cover an implant
• Replace a filling
• Cover a tooth with a large filling
• Protect a tooth that’s had a root canal

Crowns are usually made of porcelain, but they can also be crafted from other biocompatible materials like resin or metal compounds.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a restoration that seals one or more prosthetic teeth to two crowns to “bridge” a gap in your smile. 

A bridge helps fill in spaces left by missing teeth. It can prevent the shifting of natural teeth into these gaps, so your smile’s natural alignment is maintained. A bridge also helps you keep your natural chewing and speaking abilities.

How are dental crowns and bridges made?

Freedom Dental provides same-day services for dental crowns and bridges. Same-day CEREC crowns give you a practically instant dental restoration. 

Instead of waiting for weeks for a laboratory to create your crown or bridge, the team at Freedom Dental has the technology to produce your customized restoration in-house. You get your crowns and bridges in one visit, saving you time and money in the long run.

A specialized camera creates a digital image of your teeth, which is then relayed to a computer that designs your customized restoration. The computer transfers the information to a milling unit, creating your new tooth as you wait. Dr. Zhu can then place the crown or bridge the same day, so you leave your appointment with a complete smile.

How do I care for dental crowns and bridges?

Immediately after your appointment, you should refrain from eating until your anesthetic wears off. Dr. Zhu asks that you refrain from eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods for 24-48 hours so that the dental restoration has time to set. 

You care for your crown just like you do your natural teeth. Brush twice per day, and floss every day. You might notice some sensitivity in the first couple of weeks following the placement of your restoration.

After a few weeks, if you feel sharp edges or feel any discomfort while chewing, return to Freedom Dental to have your crown or bridge refined.

If you’re in need of a dental crown or bridge, contact Freedom Dental at (707) 416-0626 for expert care. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

Video Transcript

A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.