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.
Material choice affects durability and cost differently depending on which tooth is involved, and we explain that honestly. We'd rather spend extra chairside time on the bite check than have you come back with pain.
An intraoral scanner captures your bite precisely, sent directly to the lab without a messy impression tray. 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.
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.
We don't consider the case done until you're chewing comfortably on it. We'd rather remake a restoration than have you live with one that's not right.
Material and approach depend on which tooth and how much force it handles when you chew.
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.
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.
We evaluate whether repair or full replacement makes more sense for your specific restoration. We'll tell you honestly which option actually solves the problem.
Call +1-866-227-2801 to schedule your exam and discuss which tooth needs restoration.
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.
Your finished crown or bridge is bonded and checked carefully for fit and bite alignment.
"Digital impression instead of that awful putty tray from my last dentist. So much more comfortable."
"Bridge instead of an implant since my adjacent teeth already needed crowns anyway. Made financial sense and they explained why."
"Temporary crown while waiting for the permanent one didn't feel like a cheap afterthought — fit well the whole time."
"They walked through all three material options with actual pros and cons instead of just picking one for me."
"Old crown from another dentist had decay creeping underneath. They replaced it instead of just patching over the problem."
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.
Cost depends on material choice and whether it's a single crown or a multi-tooth bridge — we quote this after your exam. We verify insurance benefits beforehand so you know your out-of-pocket cost.
Our team serves St. Joseph and the surrounding zip codes with the same material-matched approach at every visit. New and existing patients throughout St. Joseph are welcome to book a restoration consult.
Licensed, precise, and local to St. Joseph — call and ask about your options.
Call +1-866-227-2801