Crowns and bridges in Littleton, Colorado

What it is

A crown, sometimes called a cap, fits over the entire visible part of a tooth. It restores the shape and size of the tooth, adds strength, and protects the structure that remains.

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. In a traditional bridge, a false tooth called a pontic sits in the gap and is held by crowns on the teeth at either side, which are called abutment teeth. A bridge therefore consists of three or more joined units and is cemented onto the abutment teeth as one piece, so it does not come out for cleaning.

When you might need it

Teeth that have had root canal therapy, or that are at risk of fracture, are routinely covered with a crown. A dentist may also recommend one when a cavity is too large for a filling to hold, when a tooth is cracked or worn down by grinding, or when a large old filling is breaking apart. Call if you have sharp pain when you bite and release, sensitivity that keeps returning, or a visible crack.

A bridge closes the gap left by a missing tooth. An untreated gap allows the neighboring teeth to tilt or drift and makes chewing less efficient on that side. A bridge needs healthy teeth on both sides to anchor it and is particularly useful when those teeth already require crown coverage. Implants and dentures are other options.

What happens at each visit

A crown begins with an examination and X-rays. At the first treatment visit, the dentist numbs the tooth, removes decay or an old filling, and rebuilds the tooth with a composite material where necessary, adding pins or a post for retention if the tooth needs them. The tooth is then shaped so that the crown can fit over it. The dentist records the shape of the tooth and the bite, and the crown is made to match that record. A temporary crown protects the tooth in the interim.

The crown is made at a dental laboratory, which usually takes about a week. At a later visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and checks the fit, color, and bite of the final crown. Once it is approved, the dentist cements it in place. A bridge follows the same sequence, with a temporary bridge in place until the final bridge is checked and cemented.

Materials and what to expect afterward

Crowns and bridges are made from porcelain, from metal, or from a combination of the two, such as porcelain fused to metal. All-porcelain restorations can closely match the color of natural teeth and are common on front teeth. Metal alloys are strong and wear gently on the opposing teeth, but they look like metal and are most often used on back teeth. The dentist helps choose the material according to the location of the tooth and the force of the bite.

Afterward the numbness wears off, and you should not chew until it does. The tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold for a while. If the crown feels high when you bite, call so that the dentist can adjust it. While a temporary is in place, avoid sticky foods and slide floss out to the side instead of pulling it up, which can dislodge the temporary.

Brush twice a day and clean between the teeth daily, using a floss threader or a small interdental brush beneath a bridge. Avoid chewing ice and hard candy, which can chip porcelain. A crown cannot decay, but the tooth underneath can, especially where the crown meets the tooth, so checkups include those margins.

Why Dutch Creek Dental

Dr. Mike Itoafa has owned Dutch Creek Dental since 2018. Crown and bridge treatment is provided in this office on West Coal Mine Avenue, where the practice has been for more than 30 years. The crowns and bridges themselves are made at dental laboratories chosen for the quality of their work, and both the laboratories and the materials are state of the art. When a case calls for a specialist, Dr. Itoafa refers you to one he trusts.

Common questions