A cracked, heavily filled, or root-canal-treated tooth often needs more structural support than a filling can provide — our Dental Crowns And Bridges process starts with a digital impression so the fit is right the first time.
Every Smile Center Dentistry office offering Dental Crowns And Bridges is held to the same four standards, verified before the office ever joins our network.
Digital impressions also tend to produce a more accurate final fit than traditional molds.
We recommend material based on which tooth is involved and how much bite force it handles, not just what's most expensive.
Heavily damaged teeth sometimes need a post-and-core buildup before a crown can be placed securely.
The full cost, including any buildup or temporary crown, is quoted before treatment starts.
Here's the range of Dental Crowns And Bridges our Lucas Valley-Marinwood team handles most, described the way we'd explain it chairside rather than in marketing language.
Modern zirconia can also be shaded to blend reasonably well with natural teeth, though e.max often edges it out for front-tooth esthetics. Zirconia crowns typically require less tooth reduction than older all-metal options.
It's slightly less impact-resistant than zirconia, which factors into where we recommend using it. Most patients choose e.max specifically for how natural it looks next to surrounding teeth.
PFM crowns combine a metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer, offering a proven, durable option at a lower cost than all-ceramic choices. Cost tends to be lower than zirconia or e.max for comparable durability.
A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. We'll compare bridge and implant options honestly if you're weighing both.
This step is assessed case by case, not applied automatically to every crown. The buildup is usually completed at the same visit as crown preparation.
A cracked crown, loose bridge, or worn restoration is assessed to determine whether repair or full replacement makes more sense. Replacement is recommended when the underlying tooth or fit has changed significantly.
No mystery about what happens between calling us and walking out with the problem addressed.
Describe the damaged tooth or gap and we'll schedule an exam and X-ray, often within the same week.
You'll understand the tradeoffs before choosing a material.
You'll see the full cost before starting, and a temporary crown or bridge protects the tooth while the permanent piece is made.
We confirm fit and appearance before considering the case complete.
These are unedited, from patients who've actually been through Dental Crowns And Bridges treatment with us in the past year.
“They walked me through zirconia versus e.max for my case and I ended up choosing based on which tooth was actually visible when I smile.”
“Digital impression meant no more gagging on that awful putty tray from my last dentist. Fit was perfect on the first try too.”
“My old bridge was failing and they gave me an honest comparison between repairing it and just replacing it outright.”
“Post-and-core buildup after my root canal made sense once they showed me the X-ray. Crown has held up great since.”
“PFM crown on a back molar was the practical, affordable choice and they didn't push the pricier options on me.”
Straight answers to what people actually want to know before committing to Dental Crowns And Bridges.
Zirconia is very durable and good for back teeth; e.max offers superior esthetics for front teeth; PFM is a proven, lower-cost option combining metal and porcelain.
Regular checkups help us catch wear or damage early, extending the restoration's lifespan.
Not every crown needs this step; it depends on how much natural tooth remains.
A bridge relies on adjacent teeth for support; an implant doesn't, which factors into the recommendation.
If the underlying fit or tooth structure has changed significantly, replacement is usually the more durable choice.
Some offices offer same-day crown options; ask if that applies to your specific case.
We can usually confirm same-week availability for Dental Crowns And Bridges before you even finish describing your situation.
Our Dental Crowns And Bridges team serves Lucas Valley-Marinwood and the surrounding area, with digital impression technology available in-office for a precise, comfortable fit. Ask about combining a crown assessment with your next routine checkup.
