Drs. Chen and Kim

Dr. Lawrence Chen and Dr. Alice Kim

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(410) 235-8525

General and Aesthetic Dentistry

Drs. Chen and Kim > Services > Crowns and Bridges

Protect and restore your smile with our custom, natural-looking solutions.

Crowns and Bridges

Living with damaged, cracked teeth, or missing teeth can make eating difficult, affect your speech, and even change how you interact with others. Missing or severely damaged teeth can cause remaining teeth to shift, leading to bite problems and jaw pain that affect your overall quality of life.

Drs. Chen and Kim create custom dental crowns and bridges using high-quality materials and precise craftsmanship. We want you to be delighted with the results and work with trusted custom dental labs to ensure your new restoration fits perfectly and looks completely natural.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged tooth above the gum line. The crown’s purpose is to protect the tooth and restore its appearance and function so you can chew on it comfortably again.

We commonly recommend dental crowns in the following situations:

Support a tooth with a large cavity
Protect cracked teeth from further damage
Strengthen broken teeth
Reinforce a root-canaled tooth
Restore a tooth severely worn by grinding or clenching
Conceal a misshapen or severely discolored tooth
Anchor a dental bridge

Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges

When you choose a dental crown or bridge to restore your smile, you'll enjoy benefits that extend beyond just filling gaps or covering damaged teeth.

Confident Appearance

A complete, attractive smile allows you to speak, laugh, and eat without self-consciousness. When you're not worried about hiding your smile due to damaged or missing teeth, you can engage more fully in personal and professional relationships.

Comfort and Function

Properly restored teeth allow you to chew effectively and speak clearly. Crowns protect weakened teeth from further damage, while bridges restore proper chewing function and prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

Natural Look and Feel

Thanks to high-quality ceramics, precise planning using digital imaging technology, and our trusted dental lab partners, you can expect your crown or bridge to fit perfectly and blend seamlessly with your smile for a natural appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a dental crown?

Getting a dental crown typically requires two visits to our Baltimore office spaced two to three weeks apart. During the first appointment, our dentists prepare your tooth and create impressions, and the second appointment involves placing your final crown.

Visit One: Preparation and Impressions

The first appointment takes 60–90 minutes and involves the following steps:

Administer local anesthesia for your comfort
Carefully reshape your tooth to accommodate the crown
Take digital impressions using advanced scanning technology
Select the perfect shade to match your natural teeth
Place a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth

The temporary crown allows you to eat and function normally while a trusted dental lab crafts your custom crown to our precise specifications.

Between Visits: Crown Creation

We send your digital impressions to skilled lab technicians who hand-craft your permanent crown using high-quality materials. This process takes two to three weeks and ensures a precise fit and natural appearance that blends seamlessly with your smile.

Visit Two: Final Crown Placement

Expect your second and final appointment to last 30–45 minutes, where our dentists:

Remove the temporary crown and clean the tooth
Check the fit and appearance of your final crown
Make necessary adjustments for comfort and bite
Place the crown on the tooth using long-lasting cement

Let's Get Started!

Call Drs. Kim and Chen today at (410) 235-8525 to schedule your consultation. We serve patients throughout Baltimore, including families and professionals near Johns Hopkins University, Hampden, and Roland Park.

How a Dental Bridge Works

A dental bridge is a tooth replacement that fills the gap created by one or more missing teeth. The restoration consists of an artificial tooth (called a pontic) anchored to crowns placed on the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap.

Bridges are permanently fixed in place, so there's no worry about them slipping or falling out when speaking or chewing. For those who may not be good dental implant candidates, bridges are an excellent alternative. Some patients also choose bridges when they want to avoid the longer timeline and surgical aspects of implant treatment.

A Long-Lasting Smile Investment

Crowns and bridges can last many years with proper home care and regular dental checkups. Longevity depends on several factors like oral hygiene, diet, and habits like teeth grinding, but many patients enjoy their restorations for decades.

OUR TEAM

Crowns and Bridges Technology

Digital Impressions

Digital impression technology creates precise 3-D models of your teeth and gums without traditional impression materials. Our scanner captures accurate measurements in real-time, eliminating the discomfort of conventional molds. This system is used for crowns, bridges, aligners, and other restorative treatments. Digital impressions ensure better-fitting restorations, reduce appointment time, and provide permanent digital records for future reference.

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We're Ready to Help You

Don't let damaged or missing teeth limit your life. Whether you have cracked teeth, broken teeth, or gaps, our custom crowns and bridges beautifully restore chewing function and confidence in your smile.

Call us today at (410) 235-8525 to schedule your consultation and learn how crowns and bridges can transform your smile. We proudly serve patients throughout Baltimore, including families and professionals near Johns Hopkins University, Hampden, and Roland Park.

Testimonial

Expert Crowns and Magical Cleanings

Put in new dental crowns adroitly and easily last year. Today teeth cleaned and Dr. Chen did a thorough exam.Alice, my hygienist, has a magic touch for teeth cleaning.

- Tom

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Restore Comfort, Function, and Confidence