Are missing or damaged teeth affecting your smile confidence? At James Lin DMD, we offer excellent solutions for restoring your smile with dental crowns and bridges in Los Gatos, CA. But which option best suits your specific needs? Let's explore the differences.
What Are Dental Crowns in Los Gatos?
A dental crown is a custom-made "cap" placed on top of a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Your dentist in Los Gatos, CA, may recommend a crown when:
- A tooth weakened by decay or damage
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A root-canaled tooth
- A misshapen or discolored tooth
A crown covers the entire visible part of a tooth above the gumline. It protects what remains underneath while providing a natural-looking appearance.
What Does a Dental Bridge Do?
While a crown caps an individual tooth, dental bridges fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of:
- Two crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap (abutment teeth)
- A false tooth/teeth (pontic) in between, replacing what's missing
Bridges are fixed prosthetics cemented to natural teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dental professional.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Versatile — Address various dental problems from decay to cosmetic issues
- Durable — With proper care, can last 10–15 years
- Natural appearance — Modern materials create realistic-looking results
- Preserves the tooth — Saves remaining healthy tooth structure
Benefits of Dental Bridges
- Restored smile — Fills visible gaps to improve aesthetics
- Improved function — Restores proper chewing and speaking
- Maintained face shape — Prevents the sunken appearance caused by missing teeth
- Stabilized adjacent teeth — Prevents remaining teeth from shifting
Call James Lin DMD to Explore Your Options
Choosing between dental crowns and bridges in Los Gatos, CA, depends on your specific situation. A crown may be ideal if you have a damaged but salvageable tooth. If you're missing teeth entirely, a bridge could be your solution.
Call James Lin DMD to schedule a consultation. Dr. Lin will evaluate your unique needs and help determine the best option for your smile.