Restorative Dentistry
Dental Crowns & Bridge in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Restore damaged or missing teeth with strong, natural-looking crowns and bridges at Wauwatosa Dental Arts.
Chipped, cracked, or missing teeth can make eating, speaking, and smiling feel uncomfortable. Dental crowns and dental bridges are custom-made restorations that rebuild your smile while protecting your oral health. At Wauwatosa Dental Arts in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, we focus on comfortable visits, durable materials, and results that blend in beautifully with your natural teeth.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental Crowns & Bridge at Wauwatosa Dental Arts
Dental crowns and dental bridges are reliable options for repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth so you can chew comfortably and smile with confidence. At Wauwatosa Dental Arts in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, our dentists carefully plan each restoration to match your bite, your neighboring teeth, and your long-term oral health.
What Are Dental Crowns & Bridges?
A dental crown is a custom “cap” that fully covers a weakened or broken tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. A dental bridge uses one or more crowns on neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth in a space where a tooth is missing. Together, crowns and bridges can protect vulnerable teeth, prevent shifting, and complete your smile.
Benefits of Crowns & Bridges
Patients choose crowns and bridges when they want a stable, natural-looking solution that feels like their own teeth. These restorations are made from strong, tooth-colored materials designed to withstand everyday biting and chewing.
- Restore strength and function Crowns and bridges reinforce weakened teeth so you can bite and chew more comfortably.
- Natural, blended appearance Tooth-colored materials are shaded to match your surrounding teeth for a seamless smile.
- Prevent shifting and bite problems Replacing missing teeth helps keep neighboring teeth from drifting and changing your bite.
- Long-lasting solution With good care and regular visits, crowns and bridges can serve your smile for many years.
How the Crown or Bridge Process Works
Your visit begins with a thorough exam, X-rays as needed, and a conversation about your goals. We will explain your options, answer your questions, and design a treatment plan tailored to you.
- Careful tooth preparation to remove weakened areas while preserving healthy structure
- Detailed impressions or digital scans to capture the exact shape of your teeth
- Custom shade-matching so your restoration blends with nearby teeth
- Trusted partner dental labs for precise, high-quality crowns and bridges
While your final restoration is being made, a temporary crown or bridge may be placed to protect your tooth and maintain your smile. Once your custom restoration is ready, we will check the fit and bite before bonding it securely in place.
Am I a Candidate for a Crown or Bridge?
You may benefit from a crown if you have a tooth that is cracked, has a large filling, or has been treated with root canal therapy. A dental bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or a few teeth in a row and prefer a fixed, non-removable solution. During your visit, we will review your medical history, evaluate your gums and supporting bone, and discuss alternatives such as dental implants or removable partial dentures when appropriate.
Our team will also review insurance estimates and payment options so you understand costs before treatment begins. We offer flexible arrangements and can discuss financing options to help fit care into your budget.
If you are noticing discomfort when biting, have a broken tooth, or see a gap in your smile, contact Wauwatosa Dental Arts in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to schedule an exam. Our friendly team is here to help you choose the right solution and guide you through every step.
The short answer
A dental crown is a custom cap that fully covers a weakened or broken tooth to restore its strength, shape and appearance, while a dental bridge uses crowns on neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth where a tooth is missing. Treatment involves an exam, careful tooth preparation, digital scans or impressions and shade-matching, with the final restoration checked for fit and bite before it is bonded in place. Crowns protect cracked, heavily filled or root canal-treated teeth, and bridges fill gaps so neighboring teeth do not drift.
Crowns and Bridges: Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I need a dental crown instead of a filling?
- A crown is recommended instead of a filling when a tooth is too weak or damaged for a filling to safely support it. That usually means a large portion of the tooth is missing, the tooth has cracked, or it has had root canal therapy. A crown covers and protects the entire tooth so it can function comfortably again.
- What is the difference between a crown and a bridge?
- A crown covers and strengthens a single tooth, while a bridge uses crowns on neighboring teeth to hold a replacement tooth in a gap. Both are fixed in place and do not come in and out like removable dentures. A bridge is often recommended when you are missing one or a few teeth in a row and prefer a fixed, non-removable solution.
- Will getting a crown or bridge hurt?
- Getting a crown or bridge should not hurt, because the tooth and surrounding area are numbed before treatment begins. During the procedure you should feel only gentle pressure, not pain. Some patients have mild soreness afterward, which usually improves within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter comfort options as the team recommends.
- How long do dental crowns and bridges last?
- With good care, many crowns and bridges can last 10 years or longer. That care means good brushing and flossing, regular cleanings, and avoiding habits like chewing ice. Your restorations are checked at each visit to make sure they continue to fit and function properly.
- How do I care for my crown or bridge at home?
- Care for your crown or bridge just like your natural teeth by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Clean carefully around the edges where the restoration meets the gumline, since plaque tends to collect there. For bridges, special floss threaders or small brushes can help you clean under the replacement tooth.
- Are crowns and bridges covered by dental insurance?
- Many insurance plans provide partial coverage for crowns and bridges when they are needed for health and function, but benefits vary by plan. The front desk team will review your plan and provide an estimate before treatment starts. They will also explain your expected out-of-pocket portion and discuss payment and financing options.
- What if I wait to fix a broken or missing tooth?
- Waiting to fix a broken or missing tooth can lead to further cracking, discomfort, difficulty chewing and shifting of neighboring teeth into the open space. A cracked or weakened tooth has less structure left to resist biting forces, and teeth next to a gap can drift and change your bite. Addressing the problem early with a crown or bridge can help protect your oral health and may prevent the need for more extensive treatment later.
- How do I get started with dental crowns or a bridge in Wauwatosa?
- To get started, schedule an evaluation so your dentist can examine your teeth and discuss your goals. The visit includes a thorough exam, X-rays as needed and a review of your options, which may include alternatives such as dental implants or removable partial dentures. From there, you receive a personalized plan to restore your smile with a crown or bridge that feels natural.
Schedule Appointment
Call us at (414) 462-3160 or visit us at 11600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.
