Restorative Dentistry: Crown & Bridgework

If you have one or more missing teeth in a row, crown and bridgework can rekindle your smile's appearance and comfort. Missing teeth aren't just esthetically unappealing, they negatively impact your smile's function. Existing teeth may drift out of position and cause problems with jaw joint function and bite alignment.

A bridge contains one or more restorative teeth to fill a gap in your smile. Dr. Devlin designs custom bridgework that looks natural and delivers optimal performance. Before attaching your bridge, he'll crown the teeth on either side of the gap. This fortifies the "anchor" teeth for optimal stability.

At your appointment, ask Dr. Devlin how a custom crown and bridgework can help you regain your smile!

Contemporary Care, Proven Results

Your best smile begins with a visit to our State College dental office, serving Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Altoona, and surrounding communities. Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Devlin.

Dental Crown & Bridgework FAQs

dental bridge being placed

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental crown and bridgework from your dentist in State College is an affordable, non-invasive option. This treatment is an excellent way to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of place with a solution that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your smile. To help you learn more about this treatment, we’ve answered a handful of frequently asked questions about crown and bridgework. If this page doesn’t give you the information you were looking for, you’re welcome to reach out to us and ask!

How Many Missing Teeth Can Crown and Bridgework Replace?

Typically, we limit a dental bridge to replacing no more than three consecutive missing teeth. Coupled with the two dental crowns in State College on either end of the replacement teeth, the entire restoration would contain at least five units. In general, bridges with more than five units have a higher chance of failure and complications than those that only replace one, two, or three teeth.

Does Getting Crown and Bridgework Hurt?

In order to place your bridge, we’ll need to slightly reshape the two natural teeth that will support it. We do this by shaving off a very thin layer of enamel. This may sound intimidating at first, but there’s no need to worry. We’ll use a potent local anesthetic to numb that area of your mouth before beginning to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. You might experience some mild tooth sensitivity for a day or two afterward, but it should be temporary and manageable.

Can the Teeth Under Crown and Bridgework Still Get Cavities?

Your crown and bridgework itself is immune to tooth decay, but that doesn’t mean that the teeth underneath cannot still develop cavities. If plaque and bacteria build up near the base of your restoration, they could potentially slip underneath it and put the natural teeth at risk. Keep in mind that because these teeth had some enamel removed, they are even more vulnerable to the damage and infection that these harmful particles may create. For this reason, you’ll still need to brush and floss every day. Be sure to pay close attention to the area where your bridge meets your gums, as that is where bacteria and plaque tend to accumulate.

How Long Does Crown and Bridgework Last?

Thanks to the state-of-the-art dental technology and techniques that Dr. Devlin uses, you can expect your crown and bridgework to last about 15 years on average. However, its lifespan will also depend heavily on how well you take care of it. For example, bad habits like smoking can weaken your bridge (and remaining teeth), which may cause it to fail sooner than that. In contrast, you can extent the lifespan of your crown and bridgework by:

  • Taking the time to thoroughly brush and floss all of your teeth every day
  • Wearing a nightguard if you deal with bruxism (chronic nighttime teeth grinding)
  • Abstaining from chewing on extremely hard objects (ice, fingernails, pens, etc.)
  • Visiting Dr. Devlin twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings