Brianna
A beautiful smile is all I wanted, and I am so happy Dr. Patel gave me exactly what I was looking for. I encourage anyone interested in braces to visit Dr. Patel.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
A cracked tooth. A gap where a tooth used to be. Sensitivity that makes every meal a reminder of something that needs to be fixed. These are not just dental problems; they affect your confidence, your comfort, and your quality of life every single day.
At Infinite Smiles, Dr. Patel believes you deserve more than just a functional fix. You deserve a restoration that looks so natural, feels so comfortable, and lasts so long that you forget it was ever there. That is exactly what our dental crowns and bridges are designed to deliver.
Dr. Patel is extensively trained in premier dental restoration solutions, including dental crowns and bridges. Whether you are dealing with a single damaged tooth or multiple missing teeth, our in-house technology and precision craftsmanship mean you spend less time in the chair and more time showing off your smile. You should never have to suffer physically or emotionally because of a damaged or missing tooth. And with our team by your side, you do not have to.
What is a dental crown?
Most notably, damaged or decayed teeth can ruin your smile. Beyond that, they can also make chewing uncomfortable and limit what you can eat. So if you are missing teeth, how can you replace them to restore this lost form and function? This is what dental crowns and bridges are for.
A dental crown is a dental restoration that looks just like a real tooth. They are used to cover and restore function and strength to damaged teeth, teeth with large cavities, and dental implants. Our dental crowns are made from high-grade porcelain. And we match this porcelain to your surrounding teeth for a highly natural, aesthetic appearance.
When do you need a dental crown?
Many patients are surprised to learn just how many situations call for a dental crown. While tooth decay is one of the most common reasons, it is far from the only one. Here are some of the most frequent cases Dr. Patel treats:
- Tooth decay. When tooth decay progresses beyond what a simple filling can address, a crown becomes the best way to save the natural tooth. Rather than extracting it, Dr. Patel can place a crown that fully encases the damaged area, restoring its strength and protecting it from further decay.
- A chipped tooth crown solution. A chipped or cracked tooth is more than a cosmetic concern — it can expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth to bacteria and temperature changes. A chipped tooth crown seals and protects the damage entirely, giving you back full function and a seamless appearance.
- After a root canal. Following a root canal, a tooth becomes more brittle and vulnerable. Placing a crown over it protects the natural tooth from fracturing and extends its life significantly.
- Worn-down teeth. Years of grinding or acid erosion can wear teeth down to a fraction of their original size. Crowns rebuild this lost structure and protect your natural teeth from worsening.
In every one of these cases, Dr. Patel’s goal is to preserve your natural tooth wherever possible. A crown is one of the most effective tools available to do exactly that.
Why choose a porcelain crown?
Not all crowns are created equal. At Infinite Smiles, we use high-grade porcelain crowns for most of our patients, and for good reason.
Porcelain is uniquely able to mimic the translucency of natural tooth enamel. This means your crown won’t look flat, opaque, or obviously artificial. Instead, it catches the light just like your surrounding teeth, creating a result that is virtually indistinguishable from your natural smile.
Porcelain is also biocompatible, meaning it is gentle on your gum tissue and unlikely to cause sensitivity or irritation. And because we color-match each crown to your neighboring teeth with precision, the restoration blends in seamlessly, whether you are having a single crown placed or a full set.
For patients who have metal allergies or simply prefer a metal-free option, porcelain crowns are an excellent choice that combines beauty with durability.
Same-day dental crowns and bridges
Same-day crowns are one of the greatest advancements in dental technology. This is because we can make ceramic crowns that match the rest of your smile in just one appointment.
After producing a 3-D model of your crown, Dr. Patel will adjust for size and shade. Our chair-side milling machine will then create your perfect restoration out of a block of high-quality ceramic in minutes.
With an expert eye for detail, our team of master technicians will quickly finalize your restoration in-house. This eliminates the need for you to wait weeks or even months like you would at other dentist offices.
Dr. Patel can make any changes in-house before securely placing your crown on your natural tooth or implant post. In a little more than an hour, you can have a brand-new tooth that looks completely natural.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance used to bridge the gap left by a lost tooth or multiple missing teeth. It does this by replacing the missing teeth with a crown. And that crown is anchored in the mouth by dental crowns placed on the existing teeth on either side. The bridge helps maintain facial structure, keeps healthy teeth from moving, and restores any lost ability to speak or chew.
We use state-of-the-art technology in-house to create the crowns that make up your custom-fit bridge. This ensures a quicker turnaround time than the weeks it would take an outside lab to create your restoration. And, because high-quality materials make up each crown, the end results look entirely natural.
How to care for dental crown and bridges
With proper care, your crown or bridge can last for many years, and in many cases, decades. Here is what we recommend to protect your investment and keep your smile healthy:
- Brush and floss consistently. Treat your crown or bridge just like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying special attention to the area where the crown meets the gum line. For a bridge, a floss threader or water flosser can help you clean beneath the pontic (the artificial tooth) where a standard floss cannot reach.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods. While crowns are durable, biting down on ice, hard candy, or sticky foods can chip or dislodge them over time. Being mindful of what you eat protects both the restoration and your neighboring teeth.
- Wear a night guard if needed. If you grind your teeth while sleeping, a custom night guard can prevent excessive wear on your crown and protect the surrounding teeth from unnecessary stress.
- Keep up with regular dental visits. Routine checkups allow Dr. Patel to monitor the fit and condition of your restoration. Catching small issues early prevents larger problems down the road and keeps your natural teeth healthy for the long term.
Bridge vs. crown — which is right for you?
Patients often ask about the difference between a bridge vs. crown and which one applies to their situation. The short answer is that dental crowns and bridges serve different purposes, but both restore the look and function of your smile beautifully.
A crown is used when the natural tooth is still present but needs to be protected, strengthened, or rebuilt. A bridge, on the other hand, is used when a tooth is completely missing and needs to be replaced.
In some cases, you may need both: crowns are placed on the neighboring teeth to anchor a bridge in position. This is why understanding the relationship between the two restorations is so important when planning your treatment.
Deciding between implants and bridges
Another common conversation Dr. Patel has with patients involves the dental bridge vs. implant question. Both are excellent solutions for replacing missing teeth, but they work in fundamentally different ways.
A dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth with a titanium post, which fuses with your jawbone over time. This process, called osseointegration, preserves bone density and keeps the jaw strong. An implant is a fully standalone restoration that does not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
A dental bridge, by contrast, uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. Those neighboring teeth must be slightly reshaped to accommodate the crowns that hold the bridge in place. While this is a time-tested and effective approach, it does involve modifying otherwise healthy tooth structure.
Here is a quick comparison to help guide your thinking:
- Dental implant: Preserves jawbone, does not affect neighboring teeth, longest-lasting option, requires a minor surgical procedure, higher upfront cost.
- Dental bridge: No surgery required, faster treatment timeline, more affordable initially, relies on neighboring teeth for support, does not prevent bone loss beneath the gap.
Deciding between the two depends on your bone health, budget, timeline, and personal preferences. Dr. Patel takes the time to walk through every option with you so that the decision feels clear and confident, never rushed. We will discuss your tooth replacement options to determine if a bridge or implants are best for you.
Because bridges require us to remove part of your healthy teeth, we often do recommend dental implants. Implants also prevent jawbone deterioration because they restore the chewing force to your jaw, strengthening and building up your bone.
If you need several implants restored with a bridge, our master technicians can create the custom bridge in our lab. Alternatively, we can create custom-fit dentures that are permanently retained by implants.
Schedule your appointment
Call us at 740.881.2600 or use this form to schedule today. We will contact you soon to schedule your appointment for a time that is convenient for you!
Success stories
Kenny
I have a brand new smile that I never thought I could have had without something like veneers. And I am so incredibly happy with what I have now!
Remellee
I get compliments all the time. I’m so happy I chose Dr. Patel. He and his staff are wonderful, and I would recommend him to anyone.
Natasha
I feel much more confident now. And, most importantly, I know I have a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
