Dental Crowns & Bridges in Harrisonburg
Do you struggle with broken, decayed, or missing teeth? These dental issues can make it difficult to chew comfortably and eat your favorite foods, and they can affect your self-esteem, making it challenging to interact confidently with others.
At Rocktown Family Dental Care, we understand the impact that these limitations have on your life, and we'll work with you to find the right solution for your needs. Dr. Joan Anderson and her team are committed to helping you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Dental crowns and bridges are an effective solution to restore your smile's health, function, and appearance.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire tooth surface. Its main purposes are to:
- Strengthen and protect the tooth structure
- Restore comfortable chewing
- Improve the appearance of a decayed or broken tooth
The materials we use to create high-quality, long-lasting restorations include porcelain, zirconia, and E-max. Porcelain crowns are the most popular because they look like real teeth, but Dr. Anderson will select the best one for you based on your needs and personal preferences.
Situations Where We Recommend a Crown
There are several reasons why Dr. Anderson might recommend a tooth crown, including:
- Protecting a weak tooth from breaking or fracturing
- Supporting a broken or severely worn tooth
- Restoring large areas of tooth decay
- Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling
- Holding a dental bridge in place
- Covering a dental implant
- Improving the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth
Dr. Anderson always recommends the most conservative treatment possible, and if she believes you will benefit from a dental crown in Harrisonburg, she will show you x-rays and intraoral photos so that you understand why treatment is necessary.
Process for Getting Dental Crowns
Getting a dental crown at our friendly Harrisonburg, VA, dental office typically requires two appointments spaced 2–3 weeks apart.
We start the first appointment by numbing the treatment area so we can work on the tooth and you won't feel any pain. Dr. Anderson then carefully files and reshapes the tooth to ensure a proper fit for the crown. A trained team member will take comfortable, mess-free digital impressions of the tooth and work with you to select a shade of white for your new crown that matches the surrounding teeth perfectly.
We send the virtual impression of your prepared tooth to a top-quality custom dental lab that crafts your crown. You'll receive a temporary crown to protect your tooth while waiting for the final crown to be fabricated.
The second appointment occurs when we receive your new crown from the lab. Dr. Anderson will test it for fit and make adjustments to ensure it feels comfortable and looks natural. The final step is to cement the crown securely in place.
Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth
Dental bridges are custom-made tooth replacements that replace 1–3 missing teeth. They bridge the gap created by the missing teeth and restore your smile's aesthetics and functionality.
How Dental Bridges Work
A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) held in place by crowns (abutment teeth). The abutments are cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth gap. Dr. Anderson will ensure your custom bridge matches the shape, size, and color of your surrounding teeth for a seamless, natural-looking appearance.
How to Care for Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges can last 10 years or longer with proper care. You can extend the lifespan of your crown by brushing at least twice daily and flossing once to minimize your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Also avoid eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage or dislodge your restoration. Visit Rocktown Family Dental Care every six months for exams and teeth cleanings to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Do You Have Broken or Missing Teeth
Your smile isn't fully healthy if you have broken, decayed, damaged, or missing teeth. At Rocktown Family Dental Care, we offer customized solutions to restore your comfort and function and help you smile confidently again.
If you would like to learn more about how a dental crown or bridge can benefit you, please call our Harrisonburg, VA, dental office in Harrisonburg to schedule an appointment with Dr. Anderson.
een severely decayed, fractured, or damaged. It can be made of ceramic porcelain, which blends flawlessly with your smile, or Dr. Anderson might recommend a gold crown for a molar at the back of your mouth that takes the brunt of your chewing force. 
