Almost half of the world’s population suffers from oral disease due to untreated tooth decay, but you don’t have to be one of them. Routine dental visits can help you maintain healthy oral care.
At Bay Dental Group in San Jose, California, Dr. Woo Young Lee, Dr. Sean Kim, and the rest of our team have the expertise and experience to examine and diagnose the condition of your oral health, teach you how to care for your teeth and gums, and provide you with treatments that are right for you.
When you come in to see us for an exam, we look at your teeth, gums, and bone structure, and determine your needs. If your teeth are damaged or even missing from an injury or tooth decay, you might need a crown or a bridge. In addition, if you’re not happy with the way your teeth look, crowns and bridges can also change the appearance of your teeth and give you confidence when you smile.
What’s a crown?
A crown is a porcelain or resin shell that completely covers, protects, and strengthens your damaged tooth. It can also adhere to a dental implant. In both cases, a crown functions and looks just like a real tooth and can be made to match the color of your natural teeth.
What’s a bridge?
A bridge is a removable or permanent device that closes the gap where your tooth or teeth are missing. To hold a permanent bridge in place, we cement it to your natural, prepared teeth or crowns located on both sides of the empty space. Then we attach the porcelain or resin replacement tooth or teeth to the bridge.
Does it hurt to get crowns or bridges?
If you have concerns about painful procedures, know that it’s our goal to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your treatment. We offer local anesthetic to make sure the treated area is completely numb so you don’t feel any pain while we work. Once your procedure is complete, you’ll experience the durability and comfort of your crowns or bridges, just like they were your natural teeth.
How long do they last?
To keep your crowns and bridges in good condition, you need to maintain good dental hygiene by brushing your teeth — and your crowns and bridges — at least twice a day and flossing once a day. You should also avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or biting down on hard food like almonds and popcorn kernels, or chewy foods like licorice. When you come in to see us for your routine check up, we’ll make sure that your crowns and bridges look good and that they’re still functioning properly.
If you need crowns or bridges, we sit down with you and talk about the procedure, letting you know what to expect so you feel at ease. Our overall goal is to partner with you in your oral health and ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible.
If you’d like to learn more about crowns and bridges, you can reach our team by calling (408) 725-2442 or by requesting an appointment online.