Whether it's one tooth or several, Dental Crowns And Bridges in Traverse City starts with a digital impression, not a messy putty tray. 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.
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.
A crown that's slightly high can cause pain within days — we catch that before you leave the chair. Bite paper checks happen before you're released, not left for you to notice at home.
We don't consider the case done until you're chewing comfortably on it. 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.
E.max balances strength and aesthetics well for visible teeth where appearance matters most. 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.
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.
"They explained why zirconia made more sense for my molar than e.max. Appreciated the honest reasoning."
"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."
"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. We'll give you a specific timeline once we know your exact case.
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.
It depends on the health of your adjacent teeth and your long-term goals — we walk through both options honestly. 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. Back teeth prioritize strength since they're less visible when you smile.
We'd rather you return for a quick adjustment than live with something that doesn't feel right. Don't wait weeks hoping it'll settle on its own — call us and we'll check it.
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 Traverse City and the surrounding zip codes with the same material-matched approach at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Traverse City are welcome to book a restoration consult.
Licensed, precise, and local to Traverse City — call and ask about your options.
Call +1-866-227-2801