Fillings & Crowns
Restorations that look like teeth — because they essentially are.
Tooth-colored composite resin fillings and custom esthetic zirconia crowns, designed with digital impressions and made from materials that closely match the appearance and function of natural enamel.
Tooth-colored fillings
When you need a filling
A filling restores a tooth that has been damaged by decay or minor fracture. Done well, a modern filling is essentially invisible — the tooth looks and functions like it did before.
We use tooth-colored composite resin for all our fillings. The material bonds directly to the tooth structure, supports the remaining tooth, and color-matches to your natural enamel. Old-style metal amalgam fillings — the silver-gray ones common decades ago — are not part of how modern dentistry is practiced here.
When to consider replacing old fillings:
- A filling is cracked, leaking, or breaking down
- Decay has formed around an old filling
- You want to update visible silver fillings to tooth-colored material
- A filling has become very large, and the tooth might be better served by a crown
We will evaluate existing restorations at every comprehensive exam and let you know if anything needs attention.
Custom crowns
When a filling is not enough
A crown covers and protects a tooth that has been significantly damaged — by extensive decay, a large fracture, a root canal, or wear. The crown restores the tooth's strength, function, and appearance.
When you need a crown:
- A tooth is too damaged for a filling but still has a healthy root
- A tooth has had a root canal (the remaining structure is brittle and needs protection)
- A large filling is failing and the tooth needs a more substantial restoration
- A tooth is significantly worn from grinding or other causes
- You want to improve the appearance of a damaged or discolored tooth
Our crown workflow
How we make a crown
Our crown workflow is fully digital — comfortable, accurate, and efficient.
- 1
Step 1
Tooth preparation.
We carefully shape the tooth to receive the crown. Local anesthesia keeps the appointment comfortable.
- 2
Step 2
Digital impression with our iTero scanner.
A small wand captures the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth in three dimensions. The scan takes a few minutes and produces a high-resolution digital model.
- 3
Step 3
Lab order placed within minutes.
The digital scan transmits to our trusted lab partner immediately. They begin designing and producing your crown the same day we send it.
- 4
Step 4
Custom temporary.
While your final crown is being made, we place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. Modern temporaries are comfortable and look good — most patients find them indistinguishable from a final crown for short-term use.
- 5
Step 5
Final crown delivery.
Most crowns return from the lab within approximately a week. We try the crown in, confirm the fit and bite, make any adjustments, and bond it permanently in place.
Materials
What your crown is made of
We do not use metal in our crowns. The materials we use produce restorations that look, function, and feel like natural teeth — without the dark gum-line shadows or visible metal margins that older crown styles often developed over time.
Esthetic zirconia.
The vast majority of our crowns are made from modern esthetic zirconia — a ceramic material that combines exceptional strength with the lifelike translucency of natural enamel. Esthetic zirconia is available in a wide range of shades and opacity levels, which lets us closely match the appearance of your neighboring teeth. The result is a crown that is nearly impossible to distinguish from a natural tooth, even up close and in good light.
This is a meaningful step forward from earlier zirconia formulations, which were strong but visually flat and overly opaque. The current generation we use combines the durability that made zirconia popular with the optical properties of the most esthetic ceramic materials.
Lithium disilicate (eMax).
For select cases — particularly highly esthetic single front-tooth restorations — we sometimes use lithium disilicate, a ceramic with exceptional optical properties. We choose between materials based on the specific tooth, your bite, and esthetic priorities. We will discuss which material is right for you at your appointment.
Frequently asked
Common questions
How long does a crown last?
Modern crowns, properly placed and well-maintained, often last 10–15 years or longer. Some last much longer than that. Good home care and regular dental visits significantly extend their lifespan.
How long does the crown process take?
Two appointments, typically about a week apart. The first appointment is the preparation and digital impression. The second is the final crown placement.
Will my crown look natural?
Yes. Modern crown materials and skilled lab work produce restorations that are essentially indistinguishable from natural teeth — even up close, even in good light.
Will my insurance cover crowns and fillings?
Most dental insurance plans cover both, though specifics vary. We will review your benefits and explain what to expect before any treatment begins.
Do you ever need to replace fillings?
Yes. Fillings do not last forever — eventually they wear, leak, or develop new decay around them. We monitor existing fillings at every exam and recommend replacement when appropriate.
Need a filling, a crown, or just a check on existing dental restorations?
Schedule a visit and we will take a careful look. If something needs attention, we will explain why and walk through your options.