What should you know about crowns & bridges?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth, restoring its strength, shape, size, and appearance. Crowns are used to protect a tooth after a root canal, restore a tooth with a large filling that has failed, cover a cracked tooth, or cover a dental implant.
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a custom restoration to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges are non-surgical and typically completed in two visits.
We craft custom crowns and bridges that rebuild damaged or missing teeth with a natural look and lasting strength. Using digital impressions for a comfortable, precise fit, each restoration is fabricated by our trusted dental lab to match your bite and your smile.
When might you need crowns & bridges?
Patients usually come in for crowns & bridges because of one of the following: a large filling has cracked or fallen out, you have just had a root canal, a tooth is cracked or split, you are missing one or two teeth, a tooth is severely worn or stained, and you have a dental implant ready for restoration. Only an exam can confirm what your mouth needs, so use this list as a guide rather than a diagnosis, and call the office if one or more of these sounds familiar.
Once a filling occupies more than half the tooth, the remaining structure is at risk of fracturing. A crown wraps and protects what is left.
A tooth treated with a root canal is more brittle than a healthy tooth. A crown is almost always recommended to prevent fracture.
A vertical crack in a tooth needs a crown to hold the pieces together and prevent the crack from spreading.
A bridge can replace the missing tooth or teeth without surgery, restoring chewing function and the smile in two visits.
When wear or discoloration is too extensive for a veneer or filling, a crown can restore both strength and aesthetics.
The visible part of an implant restoration is a custom crown that screws or cements onto the implant post.
What happens at a crowns & bridges visit?
A typical crowns & bridges visit at McLaren Dental Associates follows 6 steps, from evaluation and 3D scan to bite refinement. Your own plan may differ depending on what the exam shows, and the team explains each stage, along with any cost, before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
- 01Evaluation and 3D scan
We take a digital 3D scan of your tooth and bite — no putty impressions. Your doctor walks you through the recommended restoration.
- 02Tooth preparation
Under local anesthetic, your doctor gently shapes the tooth to receive the crown. For a bridge, the two anchor teeth on either side of the gap are shaped.
- 03Digital design
Your restoration is designed on-screen from the 3D scan, and the digital design is sent to our trusted dental lab.
- 04Fabrication
Your crown or bridge is fabricated by our dental lab, typically over 1 to 2 weeks. A comfortable temporary protects the tooth in the meantime.
- 05Final fit and cementation
Your doctor verifies the fit, color, and bite. The crown or bridge is then bonded permanently into place.
- 06Bite refinement
A final bite check ensures the new restoration feels natural. Adjustments are made on the spot if needed.
Why choose McLaren Dental Associates for crowns & bridges?
Patients choose McLaren Dental Associates for crowns & bridges because of natural-looking materials, digital impressions only, precision fit, and university-trained doctors. The same team handles your exam, treatment, and follow-up in one Midland office, and recommendations stay conservative, so you are never pushed toward more treatment than your teeth need.
We use high-quality porcelain and ceramic restorations crafted to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Our iTero scanner replaces gag-inducing putty with a quick, comfortable 3D scan.
Restorations made from a digital 3D scan fit precisely, without the distortion that putty impressions can introduce.
Our doctors trained at U of M and continue to teach there. Restorative dentistry is their daily craft.
What do patients ask about crowns & bridges?
The 5 questions below are the ones patients ask most often about crowns & bridges, with straightforward answers from the McLaren Dental Associates team. If your question is not covered here, call (989) 631-7880 during office hours and a team member will answer it or set up a time to talk with the dentist.
Sources
- Dental crowns — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Tooth Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Tooth Loss in Seniors (NHANES 2017–March 2020) — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Dental Health — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine