Dental Crowns Bridges West Kelowna

Simply put, a dental crown is applied when there is some sort of structural issue with a tooth, like if the tooth is cracked or fractured. Teeth may also require crowns after a root canal has been done.

A dental bridge, on the other hand, is used when one tooth or multiple teeth are missing and are best described as several crowns linked together to replace the missing tooth or teeth.

How long do dental crowns and bridges last?

As long as they’re cared for properly, both crowns and bridges can last for many years if maintained.

However, most crowns and bridges last for a minimum of about five years.  Proper care is essential to longevity. If your oral health care is not optimal, crowns and bridges may not last long before they need to be repaired or replaced.

In order to maximize the lifespan of crowns and bridges, you need to care for them properly. This means adhering to a good oral hygiene routine of brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, and/or water flossing at least once a day. If that sounds simple it is!

Good oral hygiene practices can help lengthen the lifetime of all your dental work. Don't forget your regular dental checkups!

Is it obvious to see whether or not I have a crown or dental bridge?

Today’s crowns and dental bridges look so much like the real thing that unless you tell someone that you have had the dental work done, they won’t even know it. This is largely due to the advances in technology.

Dental crowns and bridges can be made entirely of porcelain, ceramic, zirconium, or a combination of these materials. They can look incredibly beautiful and can blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth. 

This is a question that we answer very thoroughly at our West Kelowna dental practice, as it involves how crowns are placed on teeth. We’ll place your crown in two, separate visits. During your first visit, we’ll shape the tooth and then take a digital scan of your tooth.

Meanwhile, we’ll fit your tooth with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. The temporary crown’s role is to essentially protect the tooth until we can place the permanent one. Your permanent crown will be ready in approximately 8-10 business days.

At your second appointment we will remove the temporary crown and permanently cement the permanent one.