Crowns and Bridges

A bridge is a form of permanent dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Extending across an area where there is no tooth, this bridge is made up of an artificial tooth that is fused between two crowns on either side. The bridge is held in place either by your own teeth or by dental implants. There are different types of dental bridges; your doctor will talk with you about the best option for your particular situation.

At Penn Dental Medicine, all of these services are provided by predoctoral students or postdoctoral residents in our program. All treatment is overseen by faculty from our school every step of the way, ensuring the highest quality service for our patients.

Both crowns and bridges require multiple visits to achieve all of the steps of preparation and placement. During these steps, you can expect to receive a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the process. At Penn Dental Medicine clinics, we only use the highest quality materials and research-based methods.

When properly cared for, bridges and crowns can last for a decade or more. These need to be flossed and brushed daily, just like regular teeth. Crowns may not be as strong as natural teeth, so it is important to be gentle and avoid biting down on hard objects. For bridges, you will need to use a floss threader under and around the artificial tooth to ensure full cleanliness. After you have received your procedure, your doctor will show you proper cleaning methods and give you further care instructions.