Prosthetics

Maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile is crucial for your confidence and overall well-being. When tooth damage, decay, or loss occurs, restorative dentistry is vital in repairing your smile. Dental crowns and bridges are two of the most common solutions for replacing missing teeth or protecting damaged ones. These treatments provide long-lasting, functional, and aesthetic benefits that can restore both your oral health and appearance. If you're considering a crown or a bridge in Bellevue, WA, this guide will help you understand how these treatments work, their benefits, and why choosing a skilled dentist in Bellevue, WA, is important to ensure the best results.

What Are Prosthetics?

Dental prosthetics is the branch of dentistry focused on creating and fitting artificial replacements for missing or damaged teeth and other oral structures. These prosthetics include crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants, and they restore function, aesthetics, and oral health. Dental prosthetics help patients regain their ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently while maintaining proper alignment and jaw function. 

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these. They are custom designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, providing a seamless and natural look. 

Dental crowns are often used in the following situations:

• To protect a weakened tooth: If a tooth has been severely damaged by decay or trauma, a crown can prevent it from breaking further.
• To restore a broken or worn-down tooth: Crowns can restore teeth that have been cracked or excessively worn, ensuring they can function properly for chewing and speaking.
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling: A crown can provide additional support and protection if a tooth has a large cavity or filling that leaves it weak.
• To cover a dental implant: Crowns are often placed over dental implants to replace missing teeth.
• For cosmetic purposes: A crown can improve the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth, hence serves a cosmetic dentistry purpose.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth or dental implants. The bridge consists of two crowns placed on either side of the gap (called abutments) and an artificial tooth (or teeth) in between (called pontics). The goal of a bridge is to restore both the function and appearance of your smile, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently again.

A bridge is often recommended in the following cases:

• To replace one or more missing teeth: A bridge fills the gap left by missing teeth, preventing other teeth from shifting out of place.
• To restore chewing and speaking abilities: Missing teeth can make eating certain foods difficult or speaking clearly. A bridge restores these essential functions.
• To maintain facial shape: Missing teeth can cause the jawbone to shrink, altering the shape of your face. A bridge helps maintain your face's natural contours.
• To prevent teeth from shifting: When a tooth is missing, the neighboring teeth can shift out of alignment, leading to bite problems or further tooth loss. A bridge helps maintain proper alignment.

The Benefits of Crown and Bridge in Bellevue, WA

There are numerous benefits to be had in choosing crowns or bridges in Bellevue, WA, as a restorative treatment option. These include: 

• Improved function: Missing or damaged teeth can make chewing, speaking, and even smiling comfortably difficult. Crowns and bridges restore the functionality of your teeth, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and speak without difficulty.
• Aesthetic appeal: Crowns and bridges are custom designed to match your natural teeth in shape and color, providing a seamless look. Whether you need a single tooth restored or several teeth replaced, these restorations will blend beautifully with your existing teeth. 
• Durability: Crowns and bridges are highly durable, often lasting 10 to 15 years or more with proper care. Made from strong materials, they can withstand chewing forces and provide long-term protection for your teeth.
• Preventing future issues: Restoring damaged or missing teeth, crowns, and bridges helps prevent additional dental problems, such as teeth shifting out of alignment or excessive wear on neighboring teeth. This helps maintain your overall oral health.
• Preserving bone structure: Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw, affecting your appearance and oral function. By filling the gap with a bridge, you prevent bone deterioration and help maintain the structure of your face.
• Boosting confidence: Damaged or missing teeth can damage your self-esteem. Crowns and bridges restore your smile, making you feel more confident about your appearance in personal and professional settings.

To get the perfect smile of your dreams, contact us at Complete Family Dentistry for the best crowns and bridges. We will give you the confidence to flaunt your beautiful smile for the world to see.

The Crown or Bridge Procedure

Getting a crown or bridge in Bellevue, WA, typically requires two appointments with your dentist in Bellevue, WA. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what you can expect: 

First Appointment: Examination and Preparation

Examination and Consultation

During your initial visit, your dentist in Bellevue, WA, will examine your teeth and gums to determine whether a crown or bridge is the best option for your needs. X-rays or digital scans may be taken to assess the condition of the teeth and surrounding bone.

Tooth Preparation

If you're receiving a crown, the damaged tooth will be shaped and prepared to make room for the crown. In the case of a bridge, the abutment teeth (the teeth on either side of the gap) will be reshaped to support the crowns that hold the bridge in place.

Impressions

Once the teeth are prepared, your dentist will take an impression or scan of your teeth to create a custom crown or bridge. This ensures a precise fit that matches your natural teeth. A temporary crown or bridge may be placed to protect your teeth while your permanent restoration is being crafted.

Second Appointment: Placement of the Crown or Bridge

Fitting the Crown or Bridge 

You'll return for a second appointment once your custom crown or bridge is ready. The temporary restoration will be removed, and your dentist will carefully place the new crown or bridge, making any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit.

Final Bonding

After confirming the fit, your dentist will permanently bond the crown or bridge. The restoration will be polished, and your bite will be checked to ensure proper alignment.

Aftercare instructions

Your dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions on how to maintain your new crown or bridge. With proper care, these restorations can last for many years.

Caring for Your Crown or Bridge

Proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are crucial for maintaining the longevity of your crown or bridge in Bellevue, WA. Here are some tips for taking care of your dental restorations: 

• Brush and floss daily: Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss around the crown or bridge to remove plaque and food debris.
• Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride strengthens the enamel on your natural teeth and can help prevent decay around your crown or bridge.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods: Chewing on hard foods like ice or sticky candies can damage your crown or bridge. Be mindful of what you eat to avoid unnecessary damage.
• Regular dental checkups: Visit your dentist in Bellevue, WA, for regular cleanings and exams to ensure your crown or bridge stays in good condition and monitor your oral health.

Conclusion

Crown and bridge in Bellevue, WA, are essential dental treatments for restoring teeth's function, appearance, and health. Whether you're dealing with a damaged tooth or needing to replace missing teeth, these restorations provide long-lasting, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solutions. By choosing a skilled and experienced dentist in Bellevue, WA, you can restore your smile to its full potential, giving you the confidence to eat, speak, and smile with ease.

To schedule an appointment with us today, visit Complete Family Dentistry at 14715 Bel-Red Road, Suite #200, Bellevue, WA 98007. If you are an existing patient, call (425) 641-5432, and if you are a new patient, call (425) 642-1578 for bookings and consultations. Please visit our official website today to learn more about the various services we provide.