A crown covers and protects a tooth that is cracked, heavily filled or has had a root canal. A bridge uses crowns on the neighboring teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. Dr. Kim uses metal-free zirconia and porcelain, takes a digital scan instead of a tray of impression material, and gives you the cost in writing before any work starts. We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
When a crown or bridge is the right choice
A filling repairs part of a tooth; a crown replaces the whole outer shell. We recommend one when a tooth is cracked, when an old filling is too large for the tooth to stay strong, after a root canal on a back tooth, or when a tooth is badly worn or discolored.
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining a false tooth to crowns on the teeth either side. It is fixed in place, not removable. When the neighboring teeth are healthy and untouched, a single dental implant is often the better option because it leaves them alone; we go through both with you.
What to expect
A crown normally takes two visits about two weeks apart.
1. Prepare and scan
With the tooth numb, Dr. Kim shapes it to make room for the crown and takes a digital scan with our intraoral scanner. No tray of impression material.
2. Temporary crown
You leave with a temporary crown while the dental lab makes the final one in the shade we matched together.
3. Fit and cement
At the second visit we check the fit, the bite and the color, make any adjustments, and cement the crown permanently.
Mild sensitivity for a few days is normal. A bridge follows the same two visits, with the teeth on either side of the gap prepared at the first one.
Cost and insurance
Crowns and bridges are covered by most PPO plans, typically at 50 percent after the deductible, and by Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) for qualifying teeth within its rules. The material, the tooth and whether a build-up or root canal is needed all affect the fee, so you get an itemized written estimate before we begin.
Monthly payment plans are available through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit, subject to credit approval. We give you a written estimate before any treatment.
Dr. Kim's approach
We save as much natural tooth as possible and choose the material for the job: zirconia where strength matters most, porcelain where the look matters most. If a tooth can be fixed with a filling or an onlay instead of a full crown, Dr. Kim says so.
For a missing tooth we compare a bridge with an implant honestly, including the long-term effect on the neighboring teeth.
Why Happy Light Dental for crowns and bridges
Digital scans
An intraoral scanner replaces goopy impressions and gives the lab a precise model.
Metal-free options
Zirconia and porcelain crowns that look like teeth, with no dark line at the gum.
Written estimate
Itemized, with your insurance applied, before any tooth is prepared.
Your language
We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
Crown and bridge questions
Ready to talk about crowns and bridges?
Call (310) 644-4648 or book online. Se habla español · 한국어 진료 가능.