Dental implants
Replacing a missing tooth at the root, without relying on the teeth beside it.
See implant care
Crowns and bridges
Dental crowns and bridges that look like nothing happened.
A dental crown covers and protects a tooth that cannot hold itself together anymore. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring to the teeth on either side. Both are everyday work for a prosthodontist, and both depend on getting the bite right.
Why it matters
A crown is not just a cap on a tooth. It is a decision about how your bite carries load for the next ten years.
Request a consultationDo you need a crown, or a bridge?
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is still in your mouth. A bridge replaces a tooth that is already gone, by anchoring to the teeth beside it. People usually arrive with a symptom rather than a diagnosis, so here are the situations we see most.
- A tooth has cracked, broken, or lost a large filling, and there is not enough tooth left to hold another filling.
- A tooth has had a root canal and now needs protection so it does not split.
- A crown or bridge you already have is loose, worn through, or the edge has started to decay.
- You are missing one tooth, or a short run of teeth, and the teeth on either side are healthy.
- Your front teeth are worn short, chipped, or no longer match each other.
- You grind your teeth, and previous dental work keeps breaking.
The pathway
What the appointments look like.
Most crown and bridge cases follow the same path. You will know which step you are on at every visit.
1
Exam and diagnosis
We look at the tooth, the bite around it, and the X-rays, and tell you whether a crown, a bridge, an implant, or simply a repair is the honest answer.
2
Written plan
You get the recommended approach, the material, the timeline, and the cost in writing before any treatment begins.
3
Preparation and records
The tooth is shaped and we capture the records that the final restoration is built from, including how your teeth meet when you chew and slide.
4
Temporary
You leave with a temporary so the tooth is protected and you can eat and smile normally while the final piece is made.
5
Fit and finish
We check the fit, the contact with neighboring teeth, the bite, and the color before anything is cemented. Adjustments happen here, not later.
Getting the bite right
Why a specialist for something this common?
Crowns and bridges are routine work, and plenty of dentists do them well. Where a prosthodontist earns the referral is the difficult case, when several teeth need rebuilding at once, when previous work keeps failing, or when the bite itself is the reason the tooth broke.
If the bite is not addressed, a new crown just becomes the next thing to break. That is the part we plan around. The ADA's consumer site has a plain-language overview of what a crown is and when it is used.
Common questions
Questions about crowns and bridges
How long do dental crowns and bridges last?
Well made crowns and bridges commonly last many years, and often more than a decade, but the number depends on your bite, your grinding habits, and how well the edges stay clean. The teeth and gums underneath matter more than the crown itself, which is why we plan the bite rather than just the tooth.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is fully numb for the appointment, so the visit itself is usually comfortable. Some tenderness in the gum or sensitivity to cold for a few days afterward is common and settles down. Pain that lingers or grows is worth a call, because it usually means the bite needs a small adjustment.
What is the difference between a bridge and an implant?
A bridge uses the teeth on either side of a gap to carry a replacement tooth, so it relies on those neighbors and can be completed without surgery. An implant replaces the missing root itself and leaves the neighboring teeth untouched, but it involves surgery and healing time. We walk you through both, including which one suits your bone and your bite.
How many visits does a crown take?
Most crowns take two visits, one to prepare the tooth and take records, and one to fit the final crown, with a temporary in between. Cases that involve several teeth, a root canal, or a change to the bite take longer, and the plan you receive will say so.
Are crowns and bridges covered by dental insurance?
Many dental plans cover part of the cost of crowns and bridges, though coverage limits, waiting periods, and yearly maximums vary widely between plans. We give you a written estimate and help you understand what your specific plan is likely to pay before you decide.
Can you match a crown to my other teeth?
Yes, matching color, shape, and surface texture to the teeth around it is part of the work, and it matters most on front teeth. You see and approve the appearance before the restoration is cemented in place.
Related care pathways
Where crown and bridge care connects
If more than one or two teeth need attention, one of these paths is usually the better starting point.
Full-mouth rehabilitation
When worn or failing teeth need one coordinated plan instead of a series of repairs.
See the pathwayDentures
Full, partial, and implant-supported options when more teeth are missing.
See the pathwayA clearer path forward
Start with the tooth that is bothering you.
Bring the tooth you are worried about. We will tell you what it needs, and what it does not.