Dental Crowns and Bridges
A crown is what some people called a “cap.” It covers a tooth completely, strengthening it and protecting it from harm after it has been weakened or fractured. A crown is also used cosmetically to improve the appearance of a tooth that might be chipped, too short, irregularly shaped or deeply discolored.
To prepare a tooth for a crown, it must be reshaped to allow the crown to cover the tooth and still fit into the patient’s bite. When the tooth has been prepared, an impression is taken of the tooth either with a plastic impression material or digital imaging. This information is sent to a lab that will manufacture the crown. When it is ready, the crown is checked for a perfect fit and then is cemented into place.
A dental bridge is a restoration with three or more parts. It is created from the same kind of high-quality porcelain as a crown. It is used when one or two teeth in a row are missing. False replacement teeth called “pontics” are created and then connected to a crown at either end while pontics fill the empty space.
In a short time, a patient can have a complete smile again. If a bridge is kept clean by regular brushing and flossing, along with cleaning under the bridge with floss every day, it can last for many years.
We provide dental bridges and crowns to our patients from all over Northwest Washington, D.C. We are located just steps from the Tenleytown-AU Metro station, The Container Store and Whole Foods. We draw our patients from all over Washington, D.C., but we are walking distance or a short bicycle ride from Friendship Heights, Wakefield, North Cleveland Park, McLean Gardens, Forest Hill and Spring Valley.