Dental Crowns: Frequently Asked Questions

A crown is a custom-fitted cap that covers a damaged tooth entirely. It restores the tooth's shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used when a tooth has too much damage for a filling to hold, after root canal therapy, to protect a cracked tooth, or to improve the look of a severely worn or discolored tooth.

At Aspire, we primarily use porcelain and ceramic crowns that are color-matched to your natural teeth. They're durable, natural-looking, and with proper care typically last 10 to 15 years or longer.

A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. It's essentially three connected pieces: two crowns that cap the neighboring teeth and a replacement tooth (called a pontic) in the middle.

The neighboring teeth are reshaped slightly to accommodate the crowns, and the bridge is cemented permanently into place. Once it's in, it looks and functions like natural teeth. A bridge helps maintain your bite alignment and prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space.

A crown treats a single damaged tooth that's still in your mouth. A bridge replaces a tooth that's already missing. They're different solutions for different problems, and sometimes they work together. For example, a bridge uses crowns on the supporting teeth.

If you're missing a tooth, a bridge isn't your only option. Dental implants replace the root and the crown independently, without altering the teeth on either side. Implants cost more upfront but tend to last longer and preserve bone better. Dentures are another option for patients missing several or all of their teeth.

Dr. Lee evaluates your bone health, the condition of your surrounding teeth, your budget, and your goals to recommend the right fit.