Crowns and bridges are dental restorations used to restore or replace damaged or missing tooth structures. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gum line. It’s used to restore and protect a tooth damaged by decay, injury, or disease. The crown is cemented over the tooth, strengthening and stabilizing the natural tooth structure.
Bridges are artificial teeth anchored in place by crowns placed on the adjacent natural teeth. They replace one or more missing teeth in a row and are held securely in place by the abutment teeth.
At Xpert Smile, our dentist in Bellevue, WA, offers both crowns and bridges made from a variety of durable materials, including metal, porcelain, resin, and ceramic. Our dentist ensures your restoration looks and feels natural and completely transforms your smile and oral health.
Advantages of Dental Crowns
- Protect a weak tooth from breaking
- Restore a broken tooth
- Hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth
- Protect a tooth treated with root canal therapy
Types of Dental Crowns
Metal Crowns
These are the most common type of dental crowns in Bellevue, WA. They are made from gold or other metal alloys. They last the longest and are the most durable, but they are more noticeable when you smile or laugh.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns
They consist of a metal base with a porcelain coating on top. The metal base provides strength, and the porcelain layer gives the crown a more natural look.
All-Porcelain Crowns
These crowns are fabricated entirely from ceramic material. They look the most natural, so they’re usually used for front teeth.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
- Restoring your smile after tooth loss
- Improving your ability to chew and speak properly
- Preventing your remaining teeth from shifting out of place
- Maintaining the shape of your face
- Protecting your teeth from excessive wear
- Replacing missing teeth prevents bone loss in your jaw
Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Bridge
The traditional bridge is the most common type of bridge in Bellevue, WA. It is held in place by two crowns placed over the adjacent teeth. These crowns are cemented to the natural teeth on each side of the gap.
Cantilever Bridge
This type of bridge is used when only one adjacent tooth can be used for support. Instead of two crowns, only one is placed over the neighboring tooth. This type of bridge is not commonly used because it puts more stress on the supporting tooth.
Maryland Bridge
Maryland bridges use a metal framework for support instead of crowns. They have metal wings and are bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.
Crowns and bridges are versatile solutions for restoring damaged teeth and filling gaps in your smile caused by tooth loss. Visit Xpert Smile at 4301 Factoria Blvd. SE, Unit B, Bellevue, WA 98006, or call (425) 502-9415 to determine if crowns, bridges, or a combination of both are the right option for your specific dental needs.