Dental Crowns and Bridges in Scottsdale, AZ
Damaged, weakened, or missing teeth can make everyday activities like eating and smiling more difficult. Dental crowns and bridges can restore the strength, function, and appearance of your teeth while helping you maintain a healthy, confident smile.
At Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we provide personalized restorative dental care for patients who need to repair damaged teeth or replace missing teeth. Whether you need a crown to protect a weakened tooth or a bridge to fill a gap, our team will evaluate your smile and explain your treatment options clearly. We provide custom crowns and bridges in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix.
Restore Your Smile With Dental Crowns and Bridges
Your teeth are designed to work together when you chew, speak, and smile. A damaged or missing tooth can affect more than your appearance. It may change your bite, make chewing uncomfortable, or allow surrounding teeth to shift over time.
Dental crowns and bridges provide fixed restorative solutions for different dental needs.
A dental crown covers and protects an existing tooth that has been weakened, damaged, or extensively restored. A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by filling the space with an artificial tooth supported by neighboring teeth or dental implants.
Our goal is to recommend a restoration that fits your oral health needs, functional requirements, and smile goals.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that fits over an existing tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, size, and appearance while providing additional protection.
Dental crowns may be recommended when a tooth has experienced significant damage that cannot be adequately restored with a filling alone.
When Might You Need a Dental Crown?
Your dentist may recommend a crown when you have:
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- Extensive tooth decay
- A large or failing filling
- A weakened tooth following root canal treatment
- A significantly worn-down tooth
- A chipped or damaged tooth
- A tooth that requires additional structural support
- A tooth that needs cosmetic improvement
Crowns can also be used as part of other restorative treatments, including dental bridges and dental implants.
If a damaged tooth is left untreated, it may become more vulnerable to additional fractures or other complications. An evaluation with a crown dentist in Scottsdale can help determine whether a crown is appropriate for your situation.
Dental Crowns for Stronger, More Natural-Looking Teeth
When you are considering dental crowns in Scottsdale, the restoration should do more than cover a damaged tooth. It should also fit comfortably with your bite and complement your natural smile.
At Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we consider factors such as the location of the tooth, its condition, your bite, and your aesthetic preferences when determining the appropriate restoration.
Types of Dental Crowns we Offer
Different crown materials offer different advantages. Depending on your needs, your options may include:
- Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain can provide a natural-looking appearance and may be particularly suitable for visible teeth where aesthetics are important.
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a strong ceramic material that combines durability with a tooth-colored appearance. It can be a suitable option for teeth that experience significant chewing forces.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
These restorations combine a metal foundation with a porcelain exterior and have a long history of use in restorative dentistry.
- Same-Day Crowns
For appropriate cases, CAD/CAM technology may allow a crown to be designed and milled in the dental office, potentially reducing the number of appointments required.
The right material depends on your individual tooth, oral health, functional needs, and cosmetic goals.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration designed to replace one or more missing teeth.
A traditional bridge typically uses crowns placed on the teeth next to the gap to support an artificial replacement tooth. Implant-supported bridges use dental implants as the foundation instead.
Unlike removable dentures, a fixed bridge remains in place while you eat, speak, and smile.
When Are Dental Bridges Recommended?
A dental bridge may be considered when you have:
- One or more missing teeth
- A gap that affects your smile
- Difficulty chewing because of missing teeth
- Teeth that have shifted after tooth loss
- A need to restore your bite and normal dental function
Replacing a missing tooth can help restore the continuity of your smile and provide support for normal chewing.
Dental Bridges for Natural-Looking Tooth Replacement
If you are looking for dental bridges in Scottsdale, the right treatment depends on the number and location of missing teeth, the health of the surrounding teeth, your bite, and your overall oral health.
Our team will evaluate your individual situation and explain the available options before recommending treatment.
Types of Dental Bridges we Offer
- Traditional Dental Bridges
Traditional bridges use crowns placed on neighboring teeth to support the replacement tooth. They can be an effective option when the teeth surrounding the missing tooth are healthy enough to provide support.
- Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants instead of natural teeth as the foundation. This can be an option when several adjacent teeth are missing.
- Cantilever Bridges
A cantilever bridge is supported by a tooth on one side of the missing tooth rather than by teeth on both sides. This option is appropriate only in certain situations.
Your dentist can help determine which type of bridge may be suitable based on your individual needs.
Dental Crowns vs. Dental Bridges: What’s the Difference?
Although crowns and bridges are both fixed restorations, they serve different purposes.
| Dental Crowns | Dental Bridges |
| Restore an existing damaged or weakened tooth | Replace one or more missing teeth |
| Fit over an existing tooth | Span the space left by missing teeth |
| Protect and strengthen the tooth | Restore chewing function and tooth continuity |
| May be used after root canal treatment | May be supported by natural teeth or implants |
| Can improve the appearance of a damaged tooth | Can restore the appearance of a missing tooth |
If you are unsure whether you need a crown or bridge, a dental examination can help determine which treatment is appropriate.
Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges
Restorative treatment can provide both functional and aesthetic benefits.
1. Protect Damaged Teeth
A crown can cover and reinforce a weakened tooth, helping protect the remaining tooth structure.
2. Restore Chewing Function
Replacing or restoring teeth can make it easier to chew comfortably and use both sides of your mouth.
3. Improve Your Smile
Custom restorations can be designed to complement your surrounding teeth and improve the appearance of damaged or missing teeth.
4. Support Your Bite
Replacing missing teeth can help maintain the relationship between your upper and lower teeth and reduce unwanted shifting.
5. Restore Confidence
A damaged or missing tooth can affect how you feel about smiling. Restorative treatment can help you feel more comfortable showing your smile.
What to Expect During Dental Crown and Bridge Treatment
Your treatment will depend on your dental needs and the type of restoration being placed. In general, the process may include the following steps:
1. Dental Examination
We examine the tooth or missing-tooth area and evaluate your overall oral health. X-rays or digital imaging may be used when necessary.
2. Treatment Planning
We discuss your treatment options and explain why a crown, bridge, implant-supported restoration, or another solution may be appropriate.
3. Tooth Preparation
If you are receiving a crown, the affected tooth may need to be carefully prepared to accommodate the restoration. For a traditional bridge, the supporting teeth may also need to be prepared.
4. Digital Scanning or Impressions
Precise measurements are taken to help create a restoration that fits your tooth anatomy and bite.
5. Temporary Restoration
Depending on your treatment, a temporary crown or bridge may be placed while your final restoration is being prepared.
6. Final Placement
Once your permanent restoration is ready, we check its fit, appearance, and bite before securing it in place.
For suitable patients, same-day crown technology may reduce the number of appointments required.
How Much Do Dental Crowns and Bridges Cost in Scottsdale, Arizona?
One of the most common questions patients have is about dental crown cost in Scottsdale. There is no single price that applies to every patient because the total cost depends on the details of your treatment.
Factors that may influence the cost include:
- Type of crown material
- Number of teeth being treated
- Condition of the affected tooth
- Complexity of the restoration
- Whether additional dental treatment is needed
- Whether an implant-supported restoration is being considered
- Dental insurance benefits and coverage
The dental crowns cost in Scottsdale, AZ can therefore vary from patient to patient.
At Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we can evaluate your needs and explain your treatment options and expected costs before proceeding with treatment.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns and Bridges
Good oral hygiene is important for maintaining both your natural teeth and your restorations.
1. Brush Twice a Day
Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, paying close attention to the gumline around your crown or bridge.
2. Clean Between Your Teeth
Floss daily to remove plaque between your natural teeth and around your restoration. If you have a bridge, specialized flossing tools or interdental brushes may help clean beneath the replacement tooth.
3. Protect Your Restoration
Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard objects. If you grind or clench your teeth, ask your dentist whether a night guard may be appropriate.
4. Maintain Regular Dental Visits
Routine examinations allow your dentist to monitor your crowns, bridges, gums, and surrounding teeth so potential problems can be identified early.
With appropriate oral hygiene and professional care, crowns and bridges can provide long-term restorative benefits.
Why Choose Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics for Crowns and Bridges?
Choosing the right dentist in Scottsdale for restorative treatment is an important decision. You want a team that takes the time to understand your concerns and explains your options clearly.
At Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we provide comprehensive dental care for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Our practice offers restorative treatments alongside other dental services, allowing your care to be planned around your overall oral health.
1. Personalized Treatment Planning
Every smile is different. We evaluate your individual needs before recommending a restoration.
2. Modern Dental Technology
Our office uses modern dental technology and treatment approaches to support precise, comfortable dental care.
3. Comprehensive Dental Services
From crowns and bridges to dental implants, preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics, our team can help address a wide range of dental needs.
4. Patient-Focused Care
We believe patients should understand their treatment before moving forward. We explain your options, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision about your dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns and Bridges
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns can provide long-term service with proper oral hygiene and regular dental care. Their longevity can vary depending on the crown material, location of the tooth, bite forces, oral hygiene, and overall dental health.
How long do dental bridges last?
The lifespan of a dental bridge depends on factors such as the type of bridge, supporting teeth or implants, oral hygiene, bite forces, and regular dental maintenance. Proper care can help maximize the useful life of your restoration.
Are dental crowns painful?
The crown procedure is generally performed using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during treatment. Some temporary sensitivity or discomfort may occur afterward, but your dentist can provide guidance based on your individual situation.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
A crown may be recommended after root canal treatment, particularly when the treated tooth has lost significant structure and needs additional protection. The appropriate restoration depends on the tooth and how much healthy structure remains.
What is the difference between a crown and a bridge?
A crown covers and restores an existing tooth, while a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap between supporting teeth or implants.
How much do dental crowns cost in Scottsdale, AZ?
The cost varies based on the material, number of teeth, complexity of treatment, and whether additional procedures are needed. A personalized examination allows us to provide a more accurate estimate for your specific treatment.
Can a dental bridge replace a missing tooth?
Yes. A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth by placing an artificial tooth in the gap and supporting it with neighboring teeth or dental implants, depending on the bridge design.
Are dental bridges an alternative to dental implants?
Yes, dental bridges and dental implants are both options for replacing missing teeth, but they work differently. A traditional bridge relies on supporting teeth, while an implant is placed into the jawbone. Your dentist can help determine which option fits your needs.
Can crowns be used with dental implants?
Yes. A dental crown can be attached to a dental implant to replace a single missing tooth. Implants can also support bridges when multiple adjacent teeth are missing.
How do I care for a dental crown or bridge?
Brush twice daily, clean between your teeth every day, pay attention to the gumline, and follow your dentist’s recommendations for cleaning around the restoration. Regular dental visits are also important for monitoring your oral health.
Restore Your Smile With Dental Crowns and Bridges in Scottsdale
You don’t have to live with a damaged tooth or an unwanted gap in your smile. Whether you need to strengthen a weakened tooth with a crown or replace a missing tooth with a bridge, Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics can help you understand your restorative options.
Our team provides personalized dental crown and bridge treatment in Scottsdale, AZ, and surrounding communities including Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix. We focus on restoring comfortable function and a natural-looking smile.
Call Scottsdale Family Dentistry & Orthodontics at (480) 474-4990 to schedule your Dental Crowns and Bridges consultation today.
