In pain? We see dental emergencies as quickly as we can. What to do now
A crown protects a cracked or weakened tooth and a bridge fills the gap left by a missing one, each shaped and shaded to match your smile.
Who It’s For
Dental crowns and bridges repair teeth that are too damaged for a filling and replace teeth that are missing, so you can chew, speak and smile without thinking about it.
Left alone, a cracked tooth can split further, and a gap lets the teeth beside it drift and tilt over time. A crown or bridge stops that and gives you back a full, even bite.
A crown or bridge may be right for you if
Not sure which you need? Dr. Adli will examine the tooth, take X-rays and explain your options before anything is decided.
How They Work
A crown covers a damaged tooth. A bridge spans a gap, held by crowns on the teeth either side.
Step by Step
Most crowns and bridges take two or more visits. Here is what happens at each stage.
Dr. Adli examines the tooth, takes X-rays and explains whether a crown, a bridge or an implant suits it best, and what it is likely to cost.
The area is numbed first. Dr. Adli removes any decay or damaged tissue and shapes the tooth so the crown can fit over it. Impressions of your teeth go to our dental lab, where your restoration is made.
You leave with a temporary crown or bridge that protects the tooth and your gums while the permanent one is made.
We remove the temporary, check the fit, bite and color of the new crown or bridge, then bond it in place with dental cement. Any small adjustments are made there and then.
Brush and floss as usual, and clean under a bridge with a floss threader. Regular check-ups and cleanings keep the crown and the tooth beneath it healthy.
Who Treats You
Dr. Adli has restored teeth for Long Beach patients since 1997. She has advanced training in cosmetic dentistry from the UCLA Aesthetic Continuum and is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which matters when a crown has to blend in with the teeth around it.
For bridges on implants, she also completed surgical and restorative implant training at Loma Linda University with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Meet the dentists.
Insurance & Payment
Questions
The tooth is numbed before it is prepared, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. The tooth and gum can feel a little tender afterwards. If a crown ever feels high when you bite, call us and we’ll adjust it.
Usually two or more. At the first, we prepare the tooth, take impressions and fit a temporary. Once your crown or bridge is back from the lab, we fit and bond it at the next.
With good care, many years. Brush and floss daily, keep up your check-ups, and don’t use your teeth to crack ice or open packaging. If you grind your teeth, tell us, as grinding wears restorations faster.
That is the aim. We match the shade and shape of each crown to the teeth beside it. Porcelain is often chosen for front teeth because it closely matches the look of natural enamel.
Both replace a missing tooth. A bridge relies on the teeth either side, which are shaped to hold it. An implant replaces the root and leaves those teeth alone, but it needs enough healthy jawbone and usually takes longer from start to finish. We’ll talk through both with you.
Most PPO plans cover part of the cost. How much depends on your plan, and we’ll explain it before treatment begins. CareCredit and Sunbit can spread the rest over time.