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. We'd rather spend extra chairside time on the bite check than have you come back with pain.
Digital impressions reduce fitting errors compared to traditional putty molds. The scan also lets you see a preview of your bite before fabrication begins.
Zirconia, e.max, and porcelain-fused-to-metal each have trade-offs in strength, appearance, and cost — we walk through all three. Material recommendations are specific to the tooth, not a blanket default across every case.
We check your bite carefully after placement and adjust until it feels natural, not just acceptable. 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. Guarantee terms are explained clearly at your consult, not buried in paperwork.
Material and approach depend on which tooth and how much force it handles when you chew.
We shade-match zirconia carefully since it can appear less translucent than natural enamel if not planned well. 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.
A metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer offers strength at a lower cost than all-ceramic options. A solid option for back teeth where appearance is less of a priority.
A bridge anchors a replacement tooth to the crowned teeth on either side of a gap. Bridges avoid surgery but do require altering the supporting teeth.
While your permanent crown is fabricated, a temporary protects the prepared tooth from sensitivity and damage. 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.
The tooth is prepared and scanned digitally, sent directly to the lab for fabrication.
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."
"Bite felt slightly off after my crown was placed, and they adjusted it right there until it was right."
"E.max crown on my front tooth blends in so well you genuinely cannot tell which one it is."
"PFM crown on my back molar three years now, holding up exactly as they said it would."
"Old crown from another dentist had decay creeping underneath. They replaced it instead of just patching over the problem."
Typically two visits over one to two weeks — prep and impression first, then final fitting once the lab completes your restoration. Bridges involving multiple teeth sometimes take slightly longer to fabricate.
Zirconia suits back teeth needing strength; e.max often suits visible front teeth better. 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. We'll tell you if your adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway, which can tip the decision toward a bridge.
Front teeth get materials chosen specifically for translucency and natural appearance. 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.
Cost depends on material choice and whether it's a single crown or a multi-tooth bridge — we quote this after your exam. Financing options are available for larger restoration cases.
Smile Center Dentistry provides Dental Crowns And Bridges to patients throughout Steeleville and neighboring Steeleville, IL communities, with digital impressions done in-house. New and existing patients throughout Steeleville are welcome to book a restoration consult.
We'll match material and shade to your specific tooth, not a generic default.
Call +1-866-227-2801