Dental Crowns and Bridges
Get Beautiful, Lifelike Restorations
Restore Your Teeth With Dental Crowns & Bridges in Garden City
A crown or bridge offers reliable repair if you have a tooth that's too damaged for a filling or a gap is affecting the way you eat and speak. A crown caps and protects a weakened tooth, while a bridge fills the space left by a missing one.
Dental crowns and bridges in Garden City are custom-made to match your natural teeth. Dr. McVey and our team ensure every restoration fits well and feels comfortable. We also offer inlays and onlays for situations where a full crown isn't necessary, giving you a more conservative option when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns and Bridges
What is a dental crown and when is one needed?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth has too much damage for a filling to repair effectively, or after a root canal to protect the treated tooth.
What is a dental bridge and how does it work?
A dental bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the surrounding natural teeth or implants on either side. The result is a fixed restoration that restores your ability to chew and speak comfortably while preventing neighboring teeth from shifting out of place.
What is the difference between a crown, an inlay, and an onlay?
A crown covers the entire visible surface of a tooth, while an inlay fills a cavity within the cusps of the tooth and an onlay covers one or more cusps. Inlays and onlays are used when the damage is too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a full crown, making them a more conservative restoration option.
How long do dental crowns and bridges last?
Dental crowns typically last at least five years with proper care and sometimes much longer. Bridges have a similar lifespan depending on how well they are maintained. Brushing, flossing, getting regular dental checkups, and avoiding habits like grinding or chewing on hard objects all help extend the life of your restoration.
Are dental crowns and bridges painful to get?
Crowns and bridges are often placed with local anesthesia, so you experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some sensitivity around the treated area is normal for a few days afterward. If you have dental anxiety, you can take advantage of laughing gas or oral conscious sedation to stay relaxed throughout the appointment.
Can a dental bridge be supported by implants?
An implant-supported bridge anchors to dental implants placed in the jawbone rather than relying on neighboring natural teeth for support. This approach is more stable and long-lasting than a traditional bridge, and it also helps preserve the jawbone in the area where teeth are missing.
Will my crown or bridge look natural?
Crowns and bridges are custom-crafted to match the shape, size, and shade of your surrounding teeth. Every restoration is made by a trusted dental lab to ensure a precise fit and a natural appearance that blends in with the rest of your smile without drawing attention to itself.
Can a crown be placed on an implant?
Dental implants are designed to support a crown on top, creating a complete tooth replacement from root to tip. An implant-supported crown is one of the most stable and long-lasting ways to replace a single missing tooth. It functions just like a natural tooth once fully healed.