Crowns and bridges.

Why crowns and bridges

A crown is a full-coverage restoration: porcelain (or porcelain fused to a metal substructure, in cases where extra strength is required) that wraps the visible portion of a tooth. It is the right answer when a tooth needs more support than a filling, inlay, or onlay can provide.

A bridge extends that idea across a gap. Two crowns sit on the natural teeth flanking a missing tooth, and a third porcelain unit (the pontic) fills the space between, restoring function and appearance without an implant.

What to expect

A typical case takes two appointments. The first prepares the tooth or teeth, takes a precise digital scan or impression, and places a temporary while the lab fabricates the final restoration. The second appointment is the seating visit: Dr. Lina checks fit, contour, color, and bite, makes any micro-adjustments, and bonds the restoration into place.

Color match is one of the more demanding parts of the work. Dr. Lina works with technicians who layer porcelain to match the depth and translucency of natural enamel: the difference between a crown that disappears and one you can spot.

When crowns and bridges are a good fit

Crowns are appropriate for compromised teeth that require full coverage to function reliably long-term. Bridges are one option for replacing a missing tooth, appropriate when the adjacent teeth would benefit from crowns anyway, or when an implant is contraindicated.

Where a single missing tooth is the only issue and the adjacent teeth are healthy, an implant is often the better long-term answer. Dr. Lina is candid about which option fits the case.