Dental Crowns and Bridges
Smile proudly and confidently with dental crown and bridge services in Santa Barbara County, California. We’ll help restore your lost or damaged teeth, so you get the results you need.
Dental Crowns & Bridges in Santa Barbara County, CA
We can restore your smile with dental bridges and crowns if you have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. At Pathway Dental Group, our skilled dental team can provide esthetically pleasing outcomes while restoring the function of your teeth. Your new restoration, made from porcelain or ceramic materials, will blend seamlessly with your existing teeth and provide the strength for comfortable biting and chewing.
Dental crowns are fixed “caps” that cover damaged or decayed teeth to restore strength and beauty. We typically recommend crowns when a tooth cannot be treated with bonding or composite fillings. We also use dental crowns to preserve a tooth after root canal therapy or restore a dental implant.
A dental bridge is a great alternative if you’ve lost a tooth but are not ready for a dental implant. Dental bridges consist of dental crowns that fill the gap left after a tooth is lost or extracted. We take impressions of the area to ensure a comfortable and seamless fit. Experienced technicians at our partner dental lab will handcraft your restoration using these impressions.
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What is a dental crown?
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that we install over a damaged tooth. This cap protects the tooth from additional damage and restores its function. Crowns are effective solutions for:
- Broken fillings
- Broken teeth
- Cosmetic improvements
- Decaying teeth
- Large fillings
- Teeth that have had root canals
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What is a dental bridge?
Dental bridges replace a missing tooth or set of teeth. They use a set of attached crowns that anchor to the teeth on either side of the space. Dental bridges are a great option to restore the appearance and function of your teeth.
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How does a dental crown procedure work?
Our dentists follow a few steps when they put on your dental crown:
- Take an impression of your upper and lower dental arches.
- Create a replica of your teeth, so a permanent crown will fit securely on the base of the tooth we crown without letting bacteria get underneath to your original tooth.
- Send your impressions to a dental laboratory, so they can build your permanent dental drown.
- Give you a temporary crown to cover and protect your original tooth while the lab makes the permanent crown.
- Fit the permanent crown to your tooth.
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What can I expect after my dental crown procedure?
It is normal for your teeth to be sensitive for several days after treatment. Ibuprofen (Advil) can be the most effective at relieving discomfort. After your dental crown procedure, you might find some extra debris of temporary cement that you may rinse out of your mouth.
Temporary crowns are meant to be temporary. They help you chew and keep your tooth protected while our laboratory makes your new crown or bridge. It is normal to notice some “texture” on your temporary crown, as it is made from a rougher material and does not reflect what your new porcelain crown or bridge will feel like.
With your temporary crown, remember:
- Do not eat on your temporary crown or bridge for the first 24 hours.
- Do not eat any hard or sticky foods on your temporary crown or bridge.
- Do not floss your temporary crown or bridge.
- Rinse with warm salt water to help with the healing of the gums.
After your final crown is cemented, we offer one complimentary post op check and bite adjustment, if needed, within the first 30 days.
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When should I contact the dentist?
After your procedure, contact us if:
- You have lots of bleeding that continues for 3–4 hours after applied pressure.
- You are unable to maintain a nutritious diet after 48 hours.
- You have pain or swelling that increased after the third day.
- You have an allergic reaction to medications. Examples include skin rash, hives, elevated temperature, increased or erratic heart rate, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, fainting or blurred vision.
- Your bite feels off after 48 hours.
- Your temporary crown comes out. This is not an emergency, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office within 24 business hours.
More Questions?
Contact us with any questions about dental crowns and bridges, or schedule your appointment.