Dental Crowns & Bridges Adelaide
Dental Crowns and Bridges at East Adelaide Dental Studio
What Are Dental Crowns and When Are They Recommended?
A dental crown is a protective covering placed over a damaged or weakened tooth. It covers the visible portion of the tooth from the chewing surface to the gumline and may help restore its strength, function, shape, and appearance. Crowns are generally considered when a filling, inlay, or onlay may not provide enough support.
A dentist may recommend a crown in the following situations:
Large fractures — when a substantial portion of the tooth has broken and cannot be supported adequately with a filling.
Cracked teeth — when a fracture line affects the tooth’s strength or causes discomfort while biting.
Extensive cavities — when decay has removed too much natural tooth structure for a filling to remain stable.
Following root canal treatment — a crown may be recommended to protect a root-treated tooth from further damage.
Dental implant restoration — a crown can be attached to an implant fixture to replace a single missing tooth.
The suitability of a dental crown depends on the condition of the remaining tooth, the patient’s bite, gum health, and other clinical factors. Your dentist will examine the tooth and discuss whether a crown or another restorative option may be appropriate.
How Does CEREC Same-Day Crown Technology Work?
CEREC technology allows a ceramic crown to be digitally designed, milled, and fitted during a single dental appointment when clinically suitable. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. At East Adelaide Dental Studio, Dr Serena Vi uses this technology to scan the prepared tooth, design the crown digitally, and mill the restoration from a ceramic block within the practice.
Potential benefits of CEREC same-day crowns include:
A single appointment — design, milling, and fitting may be completed during the same visit.
Reduced treatment time — the process may take approximately 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
Digital design — software is used to design the crown according to the prepared tooth, the patient’s bite, and the surrounding tooth anatomy.
Tooth-coloured ceramic — the crown is milled from a ceramic block selected to complement the surrounding teeth.
Digital scanning — a digital scan can replace conventional impression material in suitable cases.
On-site milling — the restoration is manufactured within the practice rather than being sent to an external dental laboratory.
CEREC crowns are not suitable for every patient or every clinical situation. Dr Serena Vi will assess the tooth, bite, and aesthetic requirements before recommending a same-day CEREC crown or a conventional laboratory-made restoration.
What Happens If You Need a Conventional Crown?
A conventional crown is a custom-designed restoration fabricated by a dental laboratory over approximately two weeks. Some clinical situations require a lab-made crown rather than a CEREC crown, including cases with complex bite relationships, specific aesthetic demands, or bridgework that exceeds the CEREC milling envelope.
The conventional crown process involves two visits:
- First visit (60–90 minutes): Dr Serena Vi prepares the tooth by removing damaged structure and reshaping it to accept the crown. A physical impression is recorded and sent to the dental laboratory. A temporary acrylic crown is placed over the prepared tooth.
- Second visit (30–45 minutes, two weeks later): The temporary crown is removed. The permanent lab-made crown is tried in, assessed for fit and colour, adjusted if required, and cemented to the tooth.
The temporary crown protects the prepared tooth and minimises sensitivity between visits. Patients avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the temporary side during this two-week period to prevent dislodgement.
What Is a Dental Bridge and How Does It Replace Missing Teeth?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by spanning the space between the remaining teeth. A conventional bridge generally includes crowns at each end, known as abutment crowns, which are attached to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. One or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, sit between the crowns to fill the missing space.
A dental bridge may be considered for patients who:
Are missing one or more consecutive teeth
Have suitable teeth on both sides of the gap to support the bridge
Are not suitable candidates for dental implant surgery
Prefer a fixed restoration instead of a removable partial denture
The supporting teeth usually need to be reshaped before the bridge can be fitted. As this process permanently changes the supporting teeth, your dentist will assess their condition and discuss the benefits, limitations, and alternative treatment options with you.
Patients considering fixed or implant-supported tooth replacement can discuss the differences between dental bridges and dental implants with their dentist. Both options are available as part of the restorative dentistry services at East Adelaide Dental Studio.
How Do You Clean and Care for Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges require regular cleaning, with particular attention to the area where the restoration meets the gumline. Plaque can collect around crown margins and beneath bridges, potentially contributing to tooth decay or gum inflammation if it is not removed.
Daily care may include:
Brush twice daily — use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean the restoration and surrounding teeth.
Floss around crowns — gently clean along each side of the crown and around the gumline to remove plaque from areas a toothbrush may not reach.
Clean beneath bridges — use a floss threader, interdental brush, or another product recommended by your dentist to clean beneath the replacement tooth.
Attend regular dental examinations — your dentist can check the crown or bridge, the supporting teeth, and the surrounding gums for signs of wear or other concerns.
Professional scale and clean appointments can remove hardened calculus that daily brushing and flossing cannot remove. Your dentist will recommend an examination and cleaning schedule based on your individual oral health needs.
What Payment Options Are Available for Crowns and Bridges?
East Adelaide Dental Studio offers several payment options for crowns, bridges, and other restorative dental treatments. Before treatment begins, the clinic can provide a written treatment plan to help you understand the expected costs.
Available payment options may include:
Private health insurance — most major health funds are accepted, with on-the-spot claiming available through HICAPS. Rebates and out-of-pocket costs depend on your policy, annual limits, and level of cover.
Denticare payment plans — eligible patients may be able to spread treatment costs over a series of instalments. Approval, repayment periods, fees, and other conditions are determined by the payment provider.
Afterpay — may be available for eligible treatment costs, subject to Afterpay’s approval, limits, and terms.
Please speak with the practice before treatment to confirm which payment options are available for your treatment plan. You can also contact your health fund directly to confirm your expected rebate and remaining annual benefits.
Review our payment options page for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental crowns commonly last between 10 and 15 years, but their lifespan varies between patients. Factors such as oral hygiene, bite forces, teeth grinding, diet, crown material, and the condition of the supporting tooth can affect longevity. Regular dental examinations and appropriate home care can help maintain the crown and surrounding tooth.
A CEREC crown is digitally designed, milled, and fitted within the practice, and may be completed during a single appointment when suitable. A conventional crown is manufactured by a dental laboratory and generally requires two appointments separated by approximately two weeks. Your dentist will recommend an option based on the condition of the tooth, your bite, aesthetic requirements, and other clinical factors. Learn more about both approaches on our restorative dentistry page.
Yes, a dental bridge may be supported by dental implants instead of natural teeth. Implant-supported bridges generally use two or more implants to support replacement teeth across a gap. Suitability depends on factors including bone condition, gum health, the number and location of missing teeth, and the patient’s general health. Your dentist will assess these factors and discuss the available options. Learn more on our dental implants page.
The cost of a dental crown varies depending on the material, the condition of the tooth, the complexity of preparation, and whether CEREC or laboratory fabrication is required. Following an examination, East Adelaide Dental Studio can provide a personalised written treatment plan outlining the expected costs. Private health insurance rebates depend on your policy and level of cover. Review our payment options for further information.
Local anaesthetic is generally used during crown and bridge preparation to numb the treatment area. Patients may feel pressure or vibration during the procedure. Temporary sensitivity or discomfort may occur after the anaesthetic wears off, and the experience varies between individuals. Contact the clinic if discomfort is severe, persists, or causes concern. Patients who feel anxious about treatment can discuss available comfort options with the dental team.