Crowns & Bridges in Gaithersburg
For most patients, there comes a time when they will need to have a tooth restored or even replaced. At Lakeforest Dental Associates, we take great pride in creating dental restorations that look great and provide comfort. We use the highest quality dental materials and work closely with a custom lab to ensure that your crown or bridge fits comfortably and reliably protects your teeth.
Crowns and bridges are both dental restorations that allow us to restore appearance and function to your smile. While they are often mentioned together, crowns and bridges have very different uses.
Dental Crowns – Designed to protect and support a damaged or broken tooth.
- When is a dental crown recommended?
- Why are tooth crowns recommended after root canal treatment?
- What is the procedure for getting a tooth crown?
Bridges – Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth.
- What is a dental bridge?
- Why is it essential to replace a missing tooth?
- What is the difference between a tooth implant and a dental bridge?
- Does insurance cover the cost of a dental bridge or tooth crown?
When is a dental crown recommended?
If you have ever suffered from a broken tooth, you know how uncomfortable it can be.
Sharp edges and sensitivity are common with a broken tooth. For some small cracks or fractures, we may be able to use a tooth-colored filling to make repairs. But for significant structural damage, especially on molars that take the brunt of the chewing force, we may recommend a dental crown. A crown, unlike a filling, covers your tooth entirely. It protects your tooth by absorbing chewing forces.
Other instances when we may recommend a dental crown are:
- Deep tooth decay
- After root canal treatment to strengthen your tooth
- Fractures from clenching or grinding
- Broken cusps or large portions of your tooth
- To restore a single dental implant
Why are tooth crowns recommended after root canal treatment?
Root canal therapy is an excellent treatment for eliminating tooth infections and protecting your tooth from extraction. However, it also weakens your tooth, making it more susceptible to cracks or fractures. Since a dental crown covers your tooth structure, it also builds and strengthens your tooth while blending seamlessly with your smile. You can rest assured that you'll be able to eat and chew with the same ease that you had before your root canal treatment when you restore your tooth with a dental crown.
What is the procedure for getting a tooth crown?
Dr. Neil Daftary and Dr. Robert Zaner both believe in providing comfortable, gentle dentistry for all patients. We will always make sure you feel at ease during your procedure by utilizing the best dental anesthetics. We also offer nitrous oxide for patients who need additional support to feel relaxed during their dental treatment.
Next, your dentist will remove any damaged tooth structure and prepare your tooth to receive a dental crown. We will place a temporary crown to seal your tooth while our dental lab creates your permanent restoration.
Dental crowns come in porcelain and metal blends, metal, and all-porcelain materials. Your Gaithersburg dentist may recommend metal (typically gold) for back teeth, such as molars, which absorbs much of your biting force. All-porcelain can be custom shaded and is ideal for teeth in your sightline because of its durability combined with flawless aesthetics.
When we receive your final crown from the dental lab after about two weeks, we place it permanently on your tooth and adjust it to ensure a comfortable fit. Now you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of your new tooth.
What is a dental bridge?
At our Gaithersburg, MD dental office, we do our best to save your natural teeth, whenever possible. Sometimes, however, the best choice for your health is to remove a troubled tooth. When that happens, we will be ready with options to complete your smile. Dental bridges have completed smiles for decades and give our patients confidence in their appearance.
A dental bridge uses two dental crowns to hold an artificial tooth in place. We create your dental bridge to match your natural teeth so that your smile looks nice.
Dental bridges provide additional benefits:
- Fills the gap in your smile
- Keeps your teeth from shifting
- Completes your chewing surface
Why is it essential to replace a missing tooth?
A missing tooth may not seem like a big deal, especially if it's in the back of your mouth where no one will see it. Unfortunately, however, a missing tooth is something that affects your ability to chew and eat with ease, and it also impacts the health of the jawbone that supports your teeth.
The loss of a tooth also causes surrounding teeth to drift into the open space. When teeth move out of alignment, it affects your dental bite. And a bite that's not balanced can cause pain and increase your risk gum disease, tooth decay, or cavities.
Replacing a missing tooth is the best choice to restore both beauty and function to your smile.
What is the difference between a tooth implant and a dental bridge?
A dental implant replaces both the root and crown of your tooth, which is like having a completely new tooth. A dental bridge uses crowns as anchors for a prosthetic tooth without restoring your tooth root. However, in some cases, dental implants can also be used as anchors for a bridge, giving you the added benefit keeping your bone healthy and stimulated.
Without a tooth root to support, your jawbone begins to dissolve, or resorb, which can cause lack of support for neighboring teeth. Bone loss will also change the appearance of your face over time, creating a sunken look that adds to your years.
Replacing a missing tooth improves your appearance and ability to chew your food with ease. With the choice of a dental implant, it also protects your jawbone and ensures support for your remaining teeth. Dr. Daftary or Dr. Zaner are happy to discuss your tooth replacement options with you and help you select the one that makes the most sense for your situation.
Does insurance cover the cost of a dental bridge or tooth crown?
Most dental insurance plans will cover a percentage of the price of a dental bridge or tooth crown, which helps to defray your out-of-pocket cost.
We understand that significant treatment like a dental crown or bridge can be challenging to fit into your budget. At Lakeforest Dental Associates, we also work with many third-party financing companies, such as CareCredit and Lending Club. Both make it easier for patients who are looking to pay for their treatment with monthly payments that are comfortable for their budget.
If you have questions about your dental benefits, or which financing option might be right for you, our knowledgeable treatment coordinators are always on hand to help! Please give us a call at (301) 330-8787 to learn more about your payment options.
Contact Us to Schedule a Dental Exam
If you have a broken or missing tooth, we can help. Call our Gaithersburg, MD dental office to schedule an exam with one of our experienced and friendly dentists. We can make your smile comfortable and beautiful again.
A crown is a custom-made cap that is placed over a tooth to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. It is permanently glued on. Some reasons that crowns are used include deep decay, post-root canal repair, fractured teeth, and worn bites.
Usually not. As with most dental procedures, you are anesthetized before the work is done. After the procedure is over and the anesthesia has worn off, you may feel some minor sensitivity, which will subside. 
Usually, yes. Usually a tooth the needs a root canal is a tooth that is fractured or has a large cavity and/or a large filling that makes the tooth structurally weak. A crown will restore and protect the tooth. Sometimes the front teeth that are subject to less chewing pressures, may not need a crown after a root canal.
We offer Invisalign, tooth colored fillings, veneers, and crowns. We use a combination of these treatments to get you the esthetics and smile you want. For a fully comprehensive list visit our 
Yes, if there is a functional basis for the treatment you need, and also assuming your insurance does cover the procedures you need. Most insurances do cover a percentage of crowns and
