Dental Crowns & Bridges
Dental Crowns & Dental Bridges
At Plaza Dental Group, we use crowns and bridges to restore both the strength and appearance of your smile. If you have damaged teeth or gaps from missing teeth, these trusted treatments can bring back your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made covering that fits over a weakened or damaged tooth. Crowns protect teeth that have been affected by cracks, decay, large fillings, or root canal treatment, restoring their stability and natural function. They are commonly used on back teeth, where cavities are more frequent, but can also be placed on front teeth for both strength and appearance.
We offer tooth-colored, metal-free porcelain and zirconia crowns that blend naturally with your surrounding teeth, as well as gold crowns. Each crown is custom made by a dental lab to fit your tooth. They protect and strengthen a damaged tooth and improve its appearance. With good care, a crown can protect the tooth for many years.
When Might You Need a Dental Crown?
Your dentist may suggest a crown when a tooth needs more support than a filling can give. Common reasons include:
- A tooth that is cracked, broken, or badly worn
- A large filling that leaves little natural tooth remaining
- A tooth that has had root canal treatment
- A tooth that is discolored or misshapen
- Supporting a dental bridge
- Covering a dental implant
Every smile is different, so your dentist will examine the tooth and explain whether a crown is the right option before any treatment begins.
What to Expect at Your Crown Appointments
Getting a crown usually takes two visits.
- Exam and planning. Your dentist checks the tooth, takes X-rays if needed, and talks you through your options.
- Preparing the tooth. The area is numbed, the tooth is shaped, and an impression or digital scan is taken. A temporary crown protects the tooth while a dental lab makes your new crown.
- Fitting your crown. Once your custom crown is ready, your dentist checks the fit, color, and bite before bonding it in place.
If dental visits make you nervous, let us know. If you are having several crowns placed, sedation may be offered to help you feel more relaxed. You can learn more on our Dental Anxiety and Sedation Dentistry pages.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It works by anchoring crowns on the teeth beside the gap, with an artificial tooth or teeth secured between them. This creates a stable restoration that looks natural and restores proper chewing and speaking function.
Like crowns, bridges are designed to look seamless and feel comfortable. They need good daily care and regular cleanings to stay healthy over the long term, and our team will show you how to clean around your bridge at home.
A bridge can be a good option when the teeth on either side of a gap are healthy enough to support it. We offer traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges. An implant-supported bridge is anchored by dental implants instead of natural teeth, which can be an option when the neighboring teeth are not suitable for support.
Bridges, Implants, or Dentures?
There is more than one way to replace a missing tooth. Your dentist will explain which options suit your mouth, your health, and your budget.
| Option | Supported by | Removable | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental bridge | Crowns on neighboring teeth, or dental implants | No | One or more missing teeth in a row |
| Dental implant | A post placed in the jawbone | No | One or several missing teeth |
| Dentures / Partial | The gums, or implants for some types | Most types | Several or all teeth in an arch |
Learn more about dental implants, All On X implants, and dentures.
Caring for Your Crown or Bridge
A few daily habits help protect your crown or bridge and the teeth that support it:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying close attention to the gumline.
- Clean under your bridge with a floss threader or water flosser.
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and other very hard objects.
- If you grind or clench your teeth, ask us whether a night guard could help.
- Keep up with your regular dental exams and cleanings so we can check your restoration.
Cost, Insurance, and Financing
The cost of a crown or bridge depends on the materials used, the number of teeth involved, and any treatment the tooth needs first. We will give you an estimate before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
We are an out-of-network office, but depending on your plan, you may still be able to use your dental insurance benefits toward crowns and bridges. Our team can help you understand your coverage before treatment begins. If you do not have insurance, our Membership Plan includes savings on crowns and bridges, and financing is available through CareCredit, Happen Bank, Cherry, and iCreditWorks. Visit our Insurance & Financing page to learn more.
Why Patients Choose Plaza Dental Group
At Plaza Dental Group, your crown or bridge is placed by Dr. Debbie Dietrich, so you see the same doctor from your first exam to the day your new restoration is fitted.
Our team takes time to explain every step, and many of our patients first came to us feeling anxious about dental care. We welcome patients from Urbandale, Des Moines, Clive, Waukee, and nearby communities. You can read what patients say about their care on our Success Stories page.
At Plaza Dental Group in Urbandale, Dr. Dietrich and our team focus on creating dental restorations that are both functional and beautiful. With crowns and bridges, we can help you maintain a healthy smile that looks natural and lasts for years.
At Plaza Dental Group in Urbandale, our experienced doctors focus on creating dental restorations that are both functional and beautiful. With crowns and bridges, we can help you maintain a healthy smile that looks natural and lasts for years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a dental crown last?
Many crowns last 10 to 15 years, and some last longer with good care. How long yours lasts depends on your daily oral hygiene, whether you grind your teeth, and where the crown sits in your mouth. Our guide on how long a dental crown lasts explains the signs a crown may need attention.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed before it is prepared, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. If you need several crowns, sedation may also be offered. If you have any discomfort after your visit, give us a call and our team will help.
How long does it take to get a crown?
Most crowns take two visits. At the first visit we prepare the tooth and place a temporary crown while a dental lab makes your permanent crown, which we fit at the second visit.
Will my crown look natural?
Yes. Porcelain and zirconia crowns are matched to the color and shape of your surrounding teeth, so they blend in with your smile.
Does dental insurance cover crowns and bridges?
We are an out-of-network office, but depending on your plan, you may still be able to use your benefits toward a crown or bridge. Our team can help you check your coverage before treatment begins, and our Membership Plan includes savings on crowns and bridges.
Can I eat normally with a crown or bridge?
Once your permanent crown or bridge is in place, you can usually eat as normal. While you have a temporary crown, avoid sticky or very hard foods on that side of your mouth.
