Restorative Dentistry
Crowns & Bridges in San Clemente
Rebuilding a damaged tooth, and closing the gap where one is missing.
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is too damaged to hold a filling. A bridge replaces one that has already gone, anchored to the teeth either side. Both restore how the tooth works as well as how it looks.
Dentistry for the whole household.
About Crowns & Bridges
Two solutions to two different problems
They are often spoken of together because the same laboratory work sits behind them, but they answer different questions. A crown is for a tooth that is still there and needs protecting. A bridge is for a gap that needs filling, and it also stops the surrounding teeth drifting out of line.
Bridges
How a bridge closes a gap
A bridge spans the space left by one or more missing teeth. Artificial teeth are secured by crowns on the adjacent natural teeth, or by implants, giving a stable foundation. Crafted from durable materials such as porcelain, it blends with the teeth around it – and beyond appearance, it restores chewing and speech and supports the alignment of the teeth either side of the gap.
Inlays & Onlays
When less than a crown will do
Where damage is moderate rather than severe, an inlay or onlay restores the tooth without taking it down for a full crown.
- Preserves tooth structure Less healthy tooth material is removed than a traditional crown requires.
- Durable Made from strong materials, they last well under moderate damage.
- Natural in appearance Custom-made for a precise fit that blends with the surrounding teeth.
- Less sensitivity They tend to cause less post-treatment sensitivity than some alternatives.
Materials
Choosing the material
Porcelain, metal and resin all have a place, and they differ in appearance, durability and cost. Porcelain is generally chosen where the restoration will show, for its appearance and its strength. Which is right for a given tooth depends on where it sits in the mouth and how much force it takes – we will explain the trade-off for your tooth rather than quoting a rule.
Getting Started
Having a damaged tooth assessed
Whether a tooth needs a filling, an onlay or a full crown is a judgment made from looking at it and imaging it, not from the symptoms alone. Talega Dental Group has treated families in San Clemente since 2003, and the first appointment is about establishing which of those it is.
The short answer
A dental crown is a restoration that covers and protects a tooth too damaged to hold a filling, while a dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using artificial teeth secured by crowns on the adjacent teeth or by implants. Both restore how the tooth works as well as how it looks, and a bridge also stops the surrounding teeth drifting out of line. Where damage is moderate rather than severe, an inlay or onlay can restore the tooth without taking it down for a full crown.
Common Questions
Crowns & Bridges FAQ
- What is the difference between a crown and a bridge?
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is still in place, while a bridge replaces one or more teeth that are missing. A bridge is anchored by crowns on the adjacent natural teeth or by implants. They are often spoken of together because the same laboratory work sits behind them, but they solve different problems.
- What is a bridge made from?
A bridge is made from durable materials such as porcelain. The material is chosen so the bridge blends with your natural teeth while giving a strong, stable foundation. Porcelain, metal and resin differ in appearance, durability and cost, and the choice depends on where the tooth sits and how much force it takes.
- Does a bridge do anything besides fill the gap?
Yes, a bridge restores chewing and speech as well as filling the gap. It also supports the alignment of the surrounding teeth, which tend to drift toward an unfilled space. That is part of why the gap left by a missing tooth is worth closing rather than leaving.
- What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are restorations for moderate damage that repair the tooth without taking it down for a full crown. They remove less healthy tooth material than a traditional crown requires and tend to cause less post-treatment sensitivity. They are custom-made from strong materials for a precise fit that blends with the surrounding teeth.
- Which material is best?
The right material depends on the tooth, and there is no single rule. Porcelain is usually chosen where the restoration is visible, for its appearance and durability, while metal and resin also have a place. Which suits your tooth depends on where it sits in the mouth and how much force it takes, and we will talk through the trade-off for your own case.
- How do I know which I need?
An examination and imaging establish which restoration you need. They show how much sound tooth structure is left, and that is what decides between a filling, an inlay or onlay, and a full crown. That judgment is made from looking at the tooth rather than from the symptoms alone.
Book a visit
Plan your visit
We accept new patients and offer walk-in emergency care.
Address
Phone
Office hours
Your dentist
Dr. Ben Meshkinfam, D.D.S.
University of the Pacific, D.D.S. · Post-doctorate at LAC+USC Medical Center
Insurance & financing
30 HMO and PPO plans accepted
Including Delta Dental, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife and Humana. Estimates in writing before treatment.
