Dental crowns and bridges are both restorative treatments that aim to improve the function of compromised or missing teeth. A crown is a permanent cap that fits over a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and stability. Bridges are custom-made appliances that can replace one or more teeth in a row. At Lifetime Smile, both treatments are customized to fit your smile and meet your expectations for appearance and function. Some patients may only need a crown or a bridge to restore their smile adequately. Others may need both after losing multiple teeth to trauma or decay.

Dental Crowns

A crown is a cap placed over a tooth to protect it from further damage or restore its function and appearance. It can be placed after a root canal, to cover a dental implant, to correct a broken tooth or worn down edges, or for cosmetic reasons to change the appearance of a patient’s smile. Most crowns require at least two appointments to complete. At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by removing any decay and shaping it to fit correctly. Then an impression of your teeth will be made and sent to the lab where your custom crown will be fabricated. Once you return to our office, the dentist will place your custom-made crown onto your tooth and ensure that it fits comfortably and securely. With proper care, most crowns can last up to 10-15 years before they need to be replaced. 

Both dental crowns and bridges can restore your smile to its full beauty and function. Visit Lifetime Smile at 101 Lakeforest Blvd Suite 101, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, or call (301) 869-1170 to consult our dentist about which option might be best for you. They can help you decide which restoration best meets your needs in terms of cost and oral health.