Dental Crown and Dental Bridge In Downtown Seattle, WA

Dental Crown and Dental Bridge In Central Business District, Seattle, WA | 5thandolive Dental

DENTAL CROWN AND DENTAL BRIDGE

Patients who are missing teeth or have teeth that are beyond repair should consider restorative dentistry. This is a branch of dentistry that is used to repair/replace teeth. While these procedures do have a cosmetic effect, the primary goal is to restore functionality and improve health. At 5thandolive dental, two of our most popular restorative dental procedures are dental crowns and dental bridges.

Many people use the terms restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry as two sides of the same coin. However, they are different. Cosmetic procedures primarily focus on improving appearance, while restorative procedures focus more on functionality and health.

Patients who have the following may want to consider restorative dental procedures:

Missing Teeth

Damaged/Broken/Decayed teeth

Dental crowns are best used to repair teeth that are damaged, broken, or decayed and can also be placed on an implant to replace missing teeth. On the other hand, bridges are primarily used to replace missing teeth- especially after extraction.

If you are in or near Olive way, Downtown, Seattle and believe that you may benefit from restorative dental procedures, contact 5thandolivedental today to schedule your free initial exam, consultation, and x-rays. We will help you determine the best procedures to meet your needs and goals. We look forward to meeting with you!

WHAT IS A DENTAL CROWN?

A dental crown restores the appearance and the functionality of a damaged tooth. There are a few different reasons why our patients at 5thandolive dental choose to get a dental crown, such as:

Restore a broken or damaged tooth

Alternative to a large filling

To protect a tooth after a root canal

As a prosthetic tooth for a dental implant 

Dental crowns are necessary if the affected tooth: 

Would be susceptible to additional damage or infection

Is unable to function like a natural tooth

Hurts during normal activities

Interferes with normal bite

Detracts from the aesthetics of your smile  

If you have one missing or damaged tooth, a dental crown may be an appropriate procedure. Contact 5thandolive Dental and let one of our professional, experienced dentists evaluate your situation. Most of them have been with us for a very long time, so you can be sure you can trust them!

DENTAL CROWN COST

Several factors impact the cost of dental crowns, such as the material it is made of, the location of the crown in your jaw, and your dental insurance. The cost typically falls somewhere between $500 to $2,500, just for the crown. This does not include any additional procedures, such as dental implants, gum disease treatment, and others.

All-metal and metal-ceramic crows cost more than ceramic. All-ceramic CEREC crowns cost more than metal or metal-ceramic because of the technique involved in placing it.

Our friendly office staff will work with your dental insurance provider to determine coverage. Generally, dental insurance will cover approximately half the cost of restorative procedures, but this does vary from one plan to another. We are in network with Delta Dental and MetLife.

Our payment options include cash, cheque, credit cards and financing through CareCredit. After all, we understand that access to dental care can affect your confidence, oral health, and ultimately- your overall health. Therefore, we want to work with you to find the best solution so you can get the care you need.

Dental Crown Cost
DENTAL CROWN PROCEDURE

DENTAL CROWN PROCEDURE

Depending on your condition, you may qualify for a same-day crown procedure, or you may require the standard multi-appointment procedure.

 

Most patients only require a local anesthesia while the dentist is working on their teeth, but if you have dental anxiety, make sure that you let the team know so that we can go over our sedation options with you.

MULTI-APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE

When it comes to the standard, multi-appointment procedure, you’ll need to visit the office at least twice.

First, one of our highly trained dentists will examine and prepare the tooth that needs a crown. This typically involves x-rays and molds being made of the tooth to ensure proper placement of the crown and that it will fit.

A portion of the enamel will be scraped off of the tooth to create some space for the crown.

Once this prep work has been done, an impression will be taken of the tooth and the ones around it.

A temporary crown will be placed on the tooth to protect it while you wait for the permanent one to come in.

The impressions will be sent to a lab so the crown can be fabricated, which typically takes several weeks.

Once the crown comes back in, our friendly office staff will schedule you an appointment to come in and have it placed. The crown will be cemented in place.

SAME-DAY PROCEDURE

The steps for the same-day procedure are basically the same, with the exception of placing a temporary crown. 

First, the dentist will examine and take x-rays of your mouth. Then, digital pictures will be taken.

The crown will be fabricated in the office instead of the information being sent off to a lab. This may take several hours.

When the crown is ready, the dentist will cement it in place. In most cases, we can have the entire process done in under 4 hours.  

Every patient is different and, depending on your situation, you may be able to go right back to work when you’re done.

CARING FOR YOUR DENTAL CROWN

Once you have a dental crown, it’s critical that you take proper care of it. This includes:

Practice proper oral hygiene. If you don’t already brush twice daily, this is a great time to start. If your teeth around the crown are sensitive, use a sensitive formula toothpaste. Floss daily, in the evenings before going to bed.

Avoid hard foods, as they can cause damage to the crown- especially if it is porcelain.

If you grind/clench your teeth at night, a night guard may be recommended to protect your teeth 

CROWN MATERIAL

There are three different types of materials used for dental crowns:

Ceramic

PFM (porcelain fused to metal)

Base metal  

Ceramic is typically used for front teeth since they can be customized to match the neighboring teeth. This material is durable and can last for a long time with proper care. However, it may not be ideal for patients who grind their teeth at night, as they are susceptible to cracking under pressure.

PFM crowns are porcelain fixed to a metal base, making them aesthetically pleasing but stronger. They are durable but again, may not be the best option for patients who grind their teeth at night because the pressure could damage it. 

Finally, base metal crowns are made from non-noble metals, so they are resistant to corrosion. Only a small amount of tooth reduction is required to make room for this type of crown. It is more resistant to wear and tear than either of the above.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL CROWNS

Dental crowns offer several benefits, including:

  • Restores damaged teeth to avoid extraction
  • Prevents teeth from falling apart
  • Protects against further decay
  • Cost-effective
  • Long-lasting
  • Replacing missing tooth after dental implant surgery 

FAQ’s

Many of our 5thandolive dental patients have questions when it comes to dental crowns. some of the most common ones are:

How long do crowns last on teeth?

The life expectancy of a crown depends on the material that it is made from as well as how you take care of it:

Temporary crowns: designed to last 2 to 3 weeks, while waiting on the permanent one to be created.

Porcelain: up to 15 years

Zirconia: may potentially last a lifetime

Gold: lasts longer than other types and may last a lifetime, with proper care

Metal: 5 to 15 years

CEREC: 10 to 15 years, longer if cared for properly 

Is a dental crown painful?

You will be given anesthesia for the procedure, so you will not experience pain. For the first few days, you may have some discomfort/pain and tooth sensitivity, but this should subside over time. If it does not, contact the office and we will get you in for an emergency appointment to assess what is going on.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is a restorative dental procedure that replaces one or more missing teeth.

What is a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges, also referred to as “fixed partial dentures” are made up of two parts:

 

Abutment: natural or implant teeth that support the bridge

Pontics: false teeth between abutment, depending on the number of teeth missing  

 

A dental bridge restores functionality and improves aesthetics. There are four types of dental bridges. The primary difference is how they are attached.

 

Traditional: crowns placed on natural teeth for support

Cantilever: only requires support on one side, not both

Maryland: uses wings on each side instead of crowns for support

Implant-supported: uses implants for support 

Dental Bridge Cost

The cost of dental bridges is impacted by several factors, including:

Number of teeth being replaced

Additional procedures/dental issues

Materials used  

On average, the cost of dental bridges is:

Traditional or cantilever: $2,000 to $5,000

Maryland: $1,500 to $2,500

Implant-supported: $5,000 to $15,000  

Some dental insurance providers will cover at least a portion of this procedure. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. For payment, we accept cash, credit, and checks. We also accept financing through CareCredit, which allows you to pay for the treatment upfront and then make smaller, more manageable payments over time.

Dental Bridge vs. Implant

Both dental bridges and dental implants replace missing teeth. The difference is, an implant replaces the tooth root while a dental bridge sits on top of the gum. A dental implant can prevent jawbone loss and deterioration, while a dental bridge does not.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges offer several functional and aesthetic benefits:

 

Improves smile

Prevents remaining teeth from shifting into the gap

Allows you to speak normally

Allows you to chew normally

Easy to care for

FAQs

At 5thandolive dental, we understand that dental procedures are a major decision and we get many questions when it comes to dental bridges. Some of the most common ones include:

How long do dental bridges last?

Dental bridges may last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance.

Do dental bridges require special care/attention?

Proper oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice daily and flossing once can keep your bridge in good shape and prolong the life expectancy of the prosthetic.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you have missing and/or damaged teeth, contact 5thandolive dental today. Our team of qualified, experienced dental professionals can restore your smile and improve your confidence. We are located on 509 Olive Way #1542 Seattle, WA. Our office hours are Tuesday – Thursday 7-4, Friday – Appointment only. We look forward to meeting with you!