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  3. Crowns & Bridges

General

Rebuilding a tooth, or replacing one

A crown protects and restores a damaged tooth. A bridge fills the gap where a tooth has been lost, anchored to the teeth beside it.

Crowns are custom-made caps that cover damaged or weakened teeth, providing strength and improving their appearance.

These custom-fitted caps cover the entire visible portion of a tooth, extending down to the gum line. Whether you are dealing with a cracked, weakened or severely decayed tooth, a crown can provide a durable and natural-looking solution. Where a tooth is missing altogether, fixed bridges replace it by anchoring to adjacent teeth.

A patient looking at her restored teeth in a mirror
  • Custom-made
    matched to the colour, shape and size of your own teeth
  • All-porcelain
    available with no metal showing at the gumline
  • Protective
    shields a weakened tooth from further decay or damage
  • Two visits
    a temporary crown protects the tooth while yours is made

Your options

Crowns and bridges we provide

  • Crowns (caps)

    Custom-made caps that cover damaged or weakened teeth, providing strength and improving their appearance.

  • Porcelain crowns

    An all-porcelain crown with no metal, contoured to match the gumline and the shape and colour of your natural teeth.

  • Fixed bridges

    Fixed bridges replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth, providing a stable and natural-looking solution.

  • Porcelain fixed bridges

    An all-porcelain bridge matched to your natural tooth colour and designed to fit properly around the gumline — a proper fit makes a bridge easier to clean around.

What to expect

How a crown is fitted

  1. Initial consultation

    A thorough examination of your oral health, a discussion of your concerns, and a decision on whether a crown is the right solution for you.

  2. A customised treatment plan

    We select the most appropriate material for your crown, considering durability, appearance and where the tooth sits, then take precise measurements and impressions to ensure a good fit.

  3. Fitting the crown

    We prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping it to take the crown, then place a temporary crown to protect it. Once your permanent crown is ready we fit and cement it, adjusting for comfort and bite.

  4. Aftercare and follow-up

    We provide care instructions and schedule a follow-up to check the crown is functioning properly and make any final adjustments.

Related care

Where to go next

Common questions

Questions about crowns and bridges

With proper care, dental crowns can last 10–15 years or even longer. The lifespan depends on your oral hygiene habits, your diet, and whether you grind or clench your teeth.

The process is generally not painful. We use local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. You may experience some sensitivity or mild discomfort afterwards, but this typically subsides within a few days.

No — crowns cannot be whitened once they are in place. When we make your crown we match it to the desired shade of your natural teeth, so if you are considering whitening it is best to do it beforehand.

Much as you would your natural teeth: brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and keep up your check-ups. Avoid biting hard objects, and if you grind your teeth consider a night guard.

New patients

New patients are welcome

Your first visit begins with a thorough examination to assess your dental health and discuss your concerns and goals.

  • 11717 Bernardo Plaza Ct Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92128
  • Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
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