/When a tooth becomes damaged, dental crowns and bridges improve not just the strength of the tooth, but its appearance as well. A crown is a restoration that covers, or “caps,” a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Bridges are multiple crowns attached to replace missing teeth. These treatments can fix chipped or cracked teeth, replace missing teeth, and fix problems related to decay. If you think you need dental crowns or bridges in Columbia, Maryland, reach out to Columbia Smiles for a consultation.

Helping Families with Everything from Dental Implants to Dental Crowns in Columbia, Maryland

Why would you need a dental crown or an implant? Crowns are necessary when fillings alone cannot solve the problem. Crowns can hold cracked teeth together to seal the cracks, so the damage doesn’t get worse. And implants replace missing teeth with a titanium implant which sits in the jawbone and is then topped with a dental crown, creating a long-lasting, strong new tooth.

Dental bridges replace a gap in your smile by attaching a false tooth to crowns on either side. These can be a natural-looking, long-lasting option for replacing missing teeth.

Crowns are also used to restore a tooth when there isn’t enough of the tooth remaining to provide support for a large filling or attach a bridge. Additionally, crowns protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, and cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.

First, your dentist will remove the outer surface of the tooth needing a crown. They will then make an impression of your teeth and gums and send it to the lab for crown construction. Then, your dentist will fit a temporary crown over the tooth. On the next visit, they remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown onto the tooth. And maintaining your crown is simple — just brush and floss as usual and come in for regular cleanings.

Our goal is to create a crown that looks like a natural tooth, which is why we take an impression. Your dentist will consider such as the color, bite, shape, and length of your natural teeth to create the look you want. A quality dental crown will last for a long time with regular care. And if you are looking for excellent dental implants in Columbia Maryland, we can help with that too.

If your smile needs restoration, Columbia Smiles is ready to help.

Dental Crowns and Bridges For the Smile You Want

If you have a particular cosmetic look in mind for your crown, discuss it with us during your consultation visit. We want you to be confident in your new, healthy smile.

Compared to veneers, crowns require more tooth structure removal; therefore, they cover more of the tooth. Crowns are customarily used on teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure or to replace missing teeth. Your dentist can place crowns on natural teeth or dental implants.

Crowns should last a minimum of five to eight years with proper care. However, damaging habits like grinding your teeth, chewing ice, or fingernail biting may cause your crowns to wear down prematurely. Consistent oral hygiene habits and regular cleanings will go a long way in maintaining your crowns.

Caring for Your Crowns and Your New Smile

Your new dental crowns and bridges can help you achieve the smile you want. And when you leave our practice, you can help maintain your new teeth. Besides visiting us for hygiene services and brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth is vital with crowns. Floss or interdental cleaners (specially shaped brushes and sticks) remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth. Plaque in that area can cause dental decay and gum disease. Before you leave with your new crown, we’ll discuss with you the best way to care for your smile.

Make an appointment for all of your oral care needs at Columbia Smiles today by calling us at 410.690.4855, or by contacting us online.