Dental Crowns and Bridges in Fullerton

Restore your smile with natural-looking, long-lasting solutions

Every tooth in your mouth plays an important role. From chewing and speaking to supporting the structure of your face, your teeth work as a team. When one or more are missing or damaged, it can affect everything from your bite to your confidence. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers reliable ways to restore what’s lost — with dental bridges and crowns.

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Dental Bridges: Filling the gap left by missing teeth

If you’re missing a tooth or several teeth, a dental bridge may be the right solution. A bridge replaces the missing teeth by attaching artificial ones to the neighboring natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges can either be fixed in place or made to be removable.

A fixed bridge is cemented permanently and can only be removed by your dentist. This type offers excellent stability and feels very similar to natural teeth. Removable bridges, on the other hand, are attached with metal clasps or precision attachments and can be taken out for cleaning.

Missing teeth can affect more than just your appearance. They can make it harder to chew, speak clearly, and maintain the alignment of your other teeth. Over time, the loss of teeth can even cause your facial structure to sag, making you look older. Dental bridges help prevent these issues while restoring the look and function of your smile.

Getting a dental bridge typically requires two or three visits. During the first visit, we prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a small amount of enamel and dentin. We’ll then take impressions that are sent to a dental lab to create your custom bridge. When it’s ready, we’ll cement the bridge in place, creating a strong and seamless solution.

Bridges can be made from materials like porcelain, gold alloys, or a combination of both. Porcelain is often chosen for its ability to match your natural teeth.

To keep your bridge and the surrounding teeth healthy, daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups are essential. Since bridges rely on nearby teeth for support, keeping those teeth clean and strong is especially important.

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Dental Crowns: Restoring strength and beauty to damaged teeth

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. It’s one of the most effective ways to save a tooth that might otherwise need to be removed.

Crowns are often used when a tooth has been badly decayed, cracked, or worn down. They’re also used after root canal treatment or to support a dental bridge. In some cases, crowns are placed for cosmetic reasons, especially when teeth are stained, misshapen, or have large old fillings.

The process of getting a crown usually involves two visits. At the first visit, we remove any decay, shape the tooth, and place a temporary crown. At the second visit, we remove the temporary one and fit the final crown, making any necessary adjustments before cementing it into place.

Crowns can be made from all-porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or gold, depending on your needs and preferences. Porcelain crowns are especially popular because they look and feel just like natural teeth.

Crowns are durable and long-lasting, often lasting 20 to 30 years with proper care. They restore full chewing function and protect the underlying tooth from further damage.

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Which option is right for you?

Whether you’re missing a tooth or have one that’s badly damaged, we’ll help you decide the best treatment option based on your oral health, lifestyle, and goals. Crowns and bridges can also work together — for example, a bridge may be supported by crowns on either side.

At our Fullerton dental office, we take pride in offering high-quality restorative dentistry that looks natural and feels comfortable. Our experienced team — Drs. Chung, Yi, Kim, and Han — are here to help you regain your smile and confidence.

We are currently accepting new patients. If you’re ready to explore your options for dental bridges or crowns, schedule your appointment today.