A cracked, root-canal-treated, or badly worn tooth often needs more than a filling — that's where a crown comes in. Smile Center Dentistry matches shade and shape to your surrounding teeth before anything is fabricated.
A crown or bridge that doesn't fit right causes bite problems for years — we check fit carefully before you leave. A restoration is only as good as its fit, which is why we don't rush that step.
Digital impressions reduce fitting errors compared to traditional putty molds. Digital files transmit to the lab instantly, which can shorten turnaround time.
Zirconia, e.max, and porcelain-fused-to-metal each have trade-offs in strength, appearance, and cost — we walk through all three. We'll tell you plainly if a cheaper material is genuinely fine for your case, not just upsell the priciest option.
A crown that's slightly high can cause pain within days — we catch that before you leave the chair. We'd rather take five extra minutes than have you return uncomfortable.
If a crown or bridge doesn't fit or feel right, we adjust or remake it at no extra charge within the guarantee period. We'd rather remake a restoration than have you live with one that's not right.
Crowns and bridges serve different purposes depending on what's damaged or missing — here's what we offer.
Highly durable and metal-free, zirconia is a strong choice for back teeth that handle heavy chewing force. Ideal when strength is the top priority.
A glass-ceramic material known for a more translucent, natural appearance, often preferred for front teeth. We explain when this material fits better than zirconia for your case.
PFM can show a thin metal line at the gumline over time, which we explain honestly before you choose it. A solid option for back teeth where appearance is less of a priority.
We evaluate whether your adjacent teeth are healthy enough to support a bridge before recommending it over an implant. Bridges avoid surgery but do require altering the supporting teeth.
We fit temporaries carefully so they don't feel like an afterthought during the wait. Same-day crown milling may be available depending on your case and material choice.
An older crown that's cracked, loose, or decaying underneath can often be replaced without starting from scratch. We'll tell you honestly which option actually solves the problem.
We ask about the tooth's history — root canal, crack, missing — so we're prepared for your consult.
A temporary crown protects the tooth while your permanent restoration is made.
You choose based on a clear explanation of durability, appearance, and cost trade-offs.
We adjust until it feels natural before you leave, not just acceptable.
"They explained why zirconia made more sense for my molar than e.max. Appreciated the honest reasoning."
"Bridge instead of an implant since my adjacent teeth already needed crowns anyway. Made financial sense and they explained why."
"E.max crown on my front tooth blends in so well you genuinely cannot tell which one it is."
"They walked through all three material options with actual pros and cons instead of just picking one for me."
"Crown milling was done same-visit for my case, saved me a whole second appointment."
Same-day crown milling may be available for some cases, which we discuss at your consult. Bridges involving multiple teeth sometimes take slightly longer to fabricate.
It depends on which tooth and how much chewing force it handles — we recommend based on your specific case, not a default choice. We're glad to walk through samples so you can see the differences yourself.
A bridge avoids surgery but involves the neighboring teeth; an implant doesn't touch them but requires a longer process. Cost and timeline both factor into this decision, and we lay out both clearly.
Yes — we shade-match to your surrounding teeth and choose material based on where visibility matters most. We compare shade in natural light, not just under the exam lamp.
We'd rather you return for a quick adjustment than live with something that doesn't feel right. Most bite adjustments take just a few minutes chairside.
We break down the cost clearly by material so you can compare options. We verify insurance benefits beforehand so you know your out-of-pocket cost.
Our team serves Lake Forest and the surrounding zip codes with the same material-matched approach at every visit. Whether it's a single crown or a full bridge, our Lake Forest lab relationships keep turnaround times predictable.
We'll match material and shade to your specific tooth, not a generic default.
Call +1-866-227-2801