Dental crowns & bridges in Grand Rapids, MI
Eastgate Family Dental
Restore your smile with custom-crafted crowns and bridges that look and feel completely natural.
Rebuild What's Been Lost, Protect What Remains
A cracked tooth, a worn-down filling, a gap where a tooth used to be. These things don't just affect the way your smile looks. They change how you chew, how you speak, and how confident you feel. Dental crowns and bridges are two of the most reliable ways to restore your teeth to full form and function.
At Eastgate Family Dental, every crown and bridge we place is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. The goal is simple: when we're done, no one should be able to tell the difference. Your restoration should look like it was always there.
Whether you need to protect a weakened tooth with a crown or replace a missing tooth with a bridge, we'll walk you through every step of the process so you know exactly what to expect.
Understanding Crowns & Bridges
What Are Dental Crowns?
A crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used for teeth weakened by decay, cracks, large fillings, or root canal treatment. They can also be used for cosmetic improvement.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth (or teeth) to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges restore your ability to chew properly, maintain your facial shape, and prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
Materials We Use
We work with porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, gold, and porcelain-fused-to-metal, all carefully color-matched to blend with your natural teeth. We'll help you choose the best material based on the tooth's location, your bite, and your goals.
How Long Do They Last?
With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last 10 to 15 years or even longer. Good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and avoiding habits like chewing ice or grinding your teeth will help extend their lifespan.
Caring for Your Restoration
Treat your crown or bridge like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss daily (use a floss threader under bridges), and keep up with your regular cleanings. Let us know right away if anything feels loose or uncomfortable.
Crown, Bridge, or Implant?
A crown protects an existing tooth. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring to neighbors. An implant replaces a missing tooth independently. We'll help you weigh the pros and cons of each option for your situation.
What to Expect: The Crown & Bridge Process
Exam & Treatment Plan
We'll examine the tooth, take x-rays, and discuss your options. You'll know exactly what we recommend and why before we start.
Tooth Preparation
The tooth is gently reshaped to make room for the crown. For bridges, the teeth on either side of the gap are prepared to serve as anchors.
Impressions & Temporary
We use a digital scanner to take precise impressions of your teeth. No messy putty required. A comfortable temporary crown or bridge is placed while your permanent restoration is crafted.
Custom Fabrication
Your crown or bridge is custom-made in a dental lab to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
Permanent Placement
We remove the temporary, check the fit and color of your new restoration, and cement it in place. You leave with a strong, natural-looking result.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crowns & Bridges
A filling works well for small to moderate cavities. But when a tooth has a large area of decay, a crack, or has been weakened by a root canal, a crown provides the full coverage and strength that a filling can't. Think of it this way: a filling patches a hole, but a crown protects the whole tooth.
The process typically requires two visits spaced about two to three weeks apart. The first visit is for preparation and impressions, and the second is for placing your permanent restoration. Each appointment usually takes about an hour.
Not at all. We use local anesthesia to numb the area completely before we begin. You may feel some pressure, but you shouldn't feel any pain. After the procedure, mild sensitivity is normal for a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, crowns and bridges typically last 10 to 15 years, and many last even longer. Avoiding hard foods, not using your teeth as tools, and wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth can all help extend their life.
Once your permanent crown or bridge is placed and fully set, you can eat normally. We do recommend avoiding extremely hard or sticky foods like ice, hard candy, and caramel, as these can damage or loosen your restoration over time. With your temporary crown, you'll want to be a bit more careful and stick to softer foods.
Ready to Restore Your Smile?
Whether you need a crown to protect a damaged tooth or a bridge to fill a gap, we're here to help you smile with confidence again.