Dental Crowns & Bridges

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a unit that’s designed to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. It can also restore areas with multiple missing teeth. The number of healthy teeth and the type of bridge determine the best support.

Here’s how a dental bridge works:

• The dentist anchors an artificial tooth called a pontic between two adjacent healthy teeth, called abutment teeth.

• The crowns attach to teeth on either side of the gap to support them. The pontic rests naturally in the space left by the missing tooth.

• The false tooth and bridge structure that results is a stable, natural-looking restoration. Additionally, the restoration improves chewing and speaking abilities.

Types of Fixed Bridges

The following types of tooth bridges replace the gap with a durable solution that looks and feels natural.

Traditional Dental Bridge

A traditional bridge is the one most commonly used. It uses two crowns on adjacent teeth to support the replacement tooth securely in place.

Maryland Dental Bridge

A Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of nearby teeth. It allows the dentist to preserve more of your natural tooth structure.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever dental bridge is supported by a single crown on one side of the missing tooth. The design makes it a versatile tooth bridge option when only one adjacent tooth is available.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Dr. Chin can also place bridges on top of dental implants. This implant-supported bridge gives the area maximum stability and longevity.

Reasons Bridges are Used

The dentist considers several factors for determining what type of bridge you need, including:

• Your age (Dr. Chin doesn’t use bridges in children)

• Tooth loss or the number of teeth you’re missing

• Gap size and how much space needs to be filled

• Whether there are natural teeth on both sides of the gap

• The condition of the abutment teeth

• The overall health of teeth and gums

For many of our patients, a bridge is the most practical choice. 

Benefits of Crowns and Bridges

Dental bridges and dental crowns in Alexandria can restore your smile and replace missing teeth. Here are some of the benefits of enhancing your smile with these restorations.

Restores Function and Strength

Crowns can strengthen and protect weakened teeth, while bridges fill the gaps left by missing teeth. Both restorations allow you to chew and speak with confidence. They restore a damaged or missing tooth’s form, function, and chewing strength. 

Improves Appearance

Crowns are designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, providing a seamless look. Dental bridges are custom-made to create a natural appearance so you can smile freely and confidently.

Long-Lasting

Dental crowns and bridges are crafted from strong materials designed to withstand the pressures of daily use. They can last for many years when cared for properly.

Second Chance at a Beautiful Smile

The purpose of dental crowns and bridges at our Alexandria dental office is to give your smile a second chance. These restorations ensure you can smile confidently and chew without pain or discomfort. 

Need a Dental Bridge in Franconia, VA?

Look no further than the expert dental team at Life Advanced Integrated Dentistry if you’re looking for a dentist in Franconia, Va.! We strive to give every patient in our community a healthy smile they can be proud of.

Please contact our dental office at (703) 253-7399 to schedule an appointment.

Advanced Technology for Bridges and Crowns

Digital impressions are a giant leap forward in improving patient comfort and the outcomes of the results we produce for you.

Do you remember the big metal trays filled with pink paste that you had to hold in your mouth? It wasn’t the most pleasant experience, we know.

Digital impressions eliminate the need for this process in most cases.

Instead, we move a handheld intraoral scanner over our patients’ teeth at LIFE A.I.D. Dentistry. The scanner captures digital images and displays them on a computer monitor.

The result is a highly detailed 3-D virtual impression of your teeth. These images allow us to plan and design highly accurate and precise restorations.

Dental Bridges vs. Crowns

Dental crowns and bridges are two of the most popular restorative treatments for damaged or missing teeth. Both play an important role in rebuilding a healthy, functional smile.

Crowns restore a tooth’s strength and shape, protecting what remains of your natural structure. They also improve appearance and help prevent future damage by shielding weakened enamel from further wear or decay.

Bridges also improve your bite and smile, but they serve a different purpose. Instead of repairing an existing tooth, a bridge fills the space left by one or more missing teeth.

It connects artificial teeth to neighboring crowns, creating a stable, natural-looking restoration that restores balance, chewing ability, and confidence in your smile.

Steps for the Dental Crown Procedure

Here’s what to expect when your damaged tooth is repaired with a crown.

Step 1: Initial Appointment

Make an appointment with the dentist’s office at LIFE A.I.D. Our team will examine your damaged tooth and take X-rays to understand the extent of the problem.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Plan on two visits to our Alexandria dental office if Dr. Chin recommends a dental crown. These visits will be spaced 2–3 weeks apart.

Step 3: Tooth Preparation

The first visit involves reshaping the tooth to prepare it for the crown. Dr. Chin also removes any decay to create a stable base for your new restoration.

Step 4: Digital Impressions and Shade Selection

Dr. Chin takes comfortable digital impressions and chooses the perfect shade to match your surrounding teeth. The impressions are sent to a certified U.S. dental laboratory.

Step 5: Temporary Crown Placement

A temporary crown is placed on the prepared tooth to protect it. Meanwhile, the permanent crown is gets made.

Step 6: Custom Crown Fabrication

Over the next few weeks, a skilled technician will design your crown. It will meet our highest standards for fit and appearance once finished. The resulting crown will be extremely durable, too.

Step 7: Permanent Crown Placement

Once your permanent crown arrives, you’ll return for your second visit.

Dr. Chin will:

• Remove the temporary crown and check the permanent one for fit and bite.

• Bond the crown securely with strong dental cement.

The result is a strong, natural-looking restoration that improves both comfort and function.

Steps for the Dental Bridge Procedure

Some steps below are similar to the crown procedure. However, bridges typically involve more than one tooth.

Here’s what happens when you get a dental bridge at LIFE A.I.D.

Step 1: Initial Appointment

Make an appointment with the dentist’s office. Our team will examine your teeth and take X-rays to determine if nearby teeth can support a bridge.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Plan on two visits to our Alexandria dental office if Dr. Chin recommends a dental bridge. These visits will be spaced 2–3 weeks apart.

Step 3: Tooth Preparation

The first visit involves reshaping the abutment teeth to prepare them for crowns that will hold the bridge in place.

Step 4: Digital Impressions and Shade Selection

Dr. Chin takes comfortable digital impressions and selects the perfect shade to match your natural teeth. The impressions are sent to a certified U.S. dental lab.

Step 5: Temporary Bridge Placement

A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent bridge is being made.

Step 6: Custom Bridge Fabrication

Over the next few weeks, a skilled technician will design your bridge for optimal fit. The bridge is then crafted to ensure lasting durability and natural aesthetics.

Step 7: Permanent Bridge Placement

You’ll return for your second visit once your permanent bridge arrives.

Dr. Chin removes the temporary bridge and checks the new one for fit and bite at this visit. Next, she bonds the wings of the bridge in place with strong dental cement.

The finished bridge restores your bite and helps you speak clearly.

Are Dental Bridges Permanent?

Dental bridges are definitely a durable tooth replacement option. But they’re not permanent. The good news is that most bridges last several years with proper care.

Factors That Affect Longevity

• Materials: The material your bridge is made of affects how long it lasts. Porcelain and ceramic bridges tend to last longer.

• Maintenance: Proper oral hygiene extends the life of your bridge.

• Lifestyle: Biting hard objects or chewing certain foods can shorten your bridge’s lifespan.

• Support: The bridge depends on the health of adjacent teeth. Weakened or damaged support teeth can reduce its durability.

Are Dental Crowns the Same as Dental Implants?

No, they serve different purposes. They both create a strong, natural-looking result. Understanding the difference lies with knowing how implants function.

A dental implant is a metal post surgically placed into your jawbone beneath the gums.

The bone fuses to the post in a healing process known as osseointegration. This process forms a stable, long-lasting foundation for a replacement tooth supported by metal implants.

Let Dr. Chin Restore Your Smile with Long-Lasting Dental Bridges and Crowns

Dental Implants, Crown or Bridge?

So, which of the three do you need? The answer depends on your specific dental needs and the condition of your teeth.

Your dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore strength and shape if your actual teeth are damaged or decayed. A crown reinforces and protects the tooth structure. It allows you to chew comfortably and preserve your natural bite.

Your dentist may suggest fixed bridges or dental implants if you have a missing tooth or some of your other teeth are missing.

A fixed bridge can replace one or more teeth in a row, restoring your smile’s function and balance.

Dental implants, on the other hand, act as false teeth. They replace the entire tooth from root to crown, offering the longest-lasting and most stable solution.

Both options improve appearance, protect surrounding teeth, and help you maintain long-term oral health.

Precisely Placed Dental Crowns and Bridges in Alexandria, VA

Our experienced dental team in Alexandria can help you navigate the dental restoration process with crowns or bridges. Contact the LIFE Advanced Integrated Dentistry team to schedule your consultation with Dr. Charissa Chin today!

Are Dental Bridges Permanent?

Dental bridges are definitely a durable tooth replacement option. But they’re not permanent. The good news is that most bridges last several years with proper care.

Factors That Affect Longevity

• Materials: The material your bridge is made of affects how long it lasts. Porcelain and ceramic bridges tend to last longer.

• Maintenance: Proper oral hygiene extends the life of your bridge.

• Lifestyle: Biting hard objects or chewing certain foods can shorten your bridge’s lifespan.

• Support: The bridge depends on the health of adjacent teeth. Weakened or damaged support teeth can reduce its durability.

Taking Care of Your New Teeth

Good oral care helps protect your restorations and the health of your natural teeth. A simple routine and regular checkups keep your smile strong and lasting.

Brushing and flossing along the gums and scheduling regular dental checkups along the gums is the foundation of good oral hygiene.

Those two habits protect your artificial teeth and gums. They also keep your surrounding natural teeth healthy.

Practice Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your natural and replacement teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes twice a day to maintain good oral health.

You should also clean between your teeth with interdental brushes like dental floss or picks. Some patients prefer using water flossers, and they clean between teeth and gums too.

Tongue scrapers and mouth rinses can also aid your daily oral hygiene routine.

Talk to Dr. Chin about the oral hygiene tools discussed here to find out which ones she recommends.

Go to Routine Dental Appointments

Regular cleanings at preventative dental checkups help keep your crowns and bridges in good condition. Over time, they can become loose or fall out from damage caused by chewing hard foods or other hard objects.

Gum disease that leads to tooth or bone loss is another reason crowns or bridges may loosen.

Prevent Wide Gaps and Tooth Movement

Gaps from missing teeth can cause nearby teeth to rotate or shift into empty spaces. This movement can lead to a bad bite and make chewing or speaking difficult.

Replacing a missing tooth or teeth promptly helps maintain proper alignment and supports overall oral health.

Make Your Bridges and Crowns Last

As you can see:

• Both dental crowns and bridges can last many years with good oral hygiene and consistent home care.

• Going to routine dental appointments keeps your restorations clean and checks for early signs of wear or loosening.

• Replacing missing teeth promptly prevents neighboring teeth from shifting and maintains healthy gums and alignment.

Solutions for Broken and Missing Teeth in Alexandria, VA

Restoring broken or decayed teeth and replacing missing teeth is essential for oral health and overall wellness. Please call LIFE Advanced Integrated Dentistry to schedule an appointment to see how we can help you. 

We serve patients in Alexandria, Va. and these surrounding communities:

• Franconia

• Kingstowne

• Springfield

• West Springfield

• North Springfield

• Fairfax

• Lincolnia

• Annandale

• Manassas

• Falls Church

Broken, decayed, or missing teeth can affect how you eat, speak, and feel about your smile. Crowns and bridges offer dependable, natural-looking solutions to restore your teeth and confidence.

At LIFE Advanced Integrated Dentistry, Dr. Chin and her team focus on helping patients regain healthy, functional smiles using advanced materials and technology.

Whether you need to protect a damaged tooth with a crown or replace missing teeth with a bridge, our goal is to keep your teeth strong and your smile beautiful for years to come.

Don’t wait too long to address dental issues. Call our Alexandria dental office today to schedule an appointment and see how crowns and bridges can help you smile confidently again.

Let Dr. Chin Restore Your Smile with Long-Lasting Dental Bridges and Crowns