Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental Crowns and Bridges in Cambridge, ON
A tooth that has lost too much structure to hold a filling needs a crown. A gap left by a missing tooth needs a bridge or an implant. These are two of the most common restorative situations our patients come in with, and both are handled at Cambridge Centre Dental Care without a referral elsewhere.
Dr. Mazin Hamdi DDS MSc has over 25 years of experience in restorative and prosthetic dentistry. He, along with other experienced members of our dental team, place crowns and build bridges at our clinic on 355 Hespeler Road inside Cambridge Centre Mall. We offer three crown materials: gold, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), and pure porcelain. The right material depends on which tooth needs the crown, how much biting force it takes, and what appearance matters to you.
We use digital intraoral scanners (the Trios 6, Trios 3, and iTero Lumina) for impressions. No putty molds. We also have an in-clinic SprintRay 3D printer for fabricating temporary crowns while your permanent restoration is made at the lab.
Ready to restore a damaged or missing tooth? Call 519-624-4640 or book online. Open 7 days a week.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a cap that fits over the full visible surface of a tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, and function. The tooth is prepared by reducing it slightly on all surfaces to make room for the crown. A digital scan is taken, and the permanent crown is fabricated at a dental lab. A temporary crown protects the tooth in the meantime. At your second appointment, the permanent crown is cemented in place.
Crowns are not purely cosmetic. In most cases they are placed because a tooth cannot function without one. A heavily decayed tooth where most of the natural structure is gone, a tooth that has cracked under biting pressure, or a tooth that has just had root canal treatment and is now brittle. All of these situations call for a crown.
Crown material options at our Cambridge clinic
Each of the three materials Dr. Hamdi and our team offer have specific advantages depending on the tooth’s location and the demands placed on it.
Gold crowns
Gold alloy crowns are among the most durable options available. They withstand heavy biting forces without fracturing and rarely require replacement when the gum tissue and tooth underneath remain healthy. Gold crowns can last 20 to 30 years. They are almost exclusively placed on back molars where they are not visible. Patients who grind their teeth often do well with gold because it resists wear better than porcelain under continuous pressure.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
A PFM crown has a metal substructure for strength, with a porcelain exterior that is shaded to match adjacent teeth. It is a middle ground: more natural-looking than gold, more durable than pure porcelain. PFM crowns have been used reliably for decades. The main limitation is that the metal margin at the gum line may become visible over time if the gum recedes. For that reason, they are used more often on premolars than on front teeth.
Pure porcelain crowns
Pure porcelain crowns have no metal underneath. Light passes through them the same way it passes through natural tooth enamel, which gives them the most natural appearance of the three options. They are the standard choice for front teeth and for any tooth where appearance matters most. Modern porcelain materials are significantly stronger than older versions. They are, however, more vulnerable to fracture under heavy grinding than PFM or gold.
| Crown type | Best for | Durability | Appearance | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown typeGold | Best forSecond molars, grinding patients | DurabilityVery high (20-30 years) | AppearanceVisible gold colour | AppearanceYes |
| Crown typePorcelain fused to metal | Best forPremolars, back teeth | DurabilityHigh (10-15 years) | AppearanceNatural, may show metal line at gum | AppearanceYes |
| Crown typePure porcelain | Best forFront teeth, visible teeth | DurabilityGood (10-20 years) | AppearanceMost natural, no metal | AppearanceYes |
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by using the two teeth on either side as supports. Those anchor teeth (called abutments) are prepared like they would be for crowns. A false tooth (pontic) suspended between them fills the gap. The whole structure is cemented in place and looks and functions like natural teeth.
A bridge is a fixed restoration. Unlike dentures, it does not come out. You brush and floss around it daily, with a floss threader or interdental brush to clean beneath the pontic.
Bridge versus implant: which is better for a missing tooth?
Both options replace a missing tooth. They approach the problem differently. An implant replaces the tooth root with a titanium post and does not affect the adjacent teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors, which requires preparing those teeth even if they are healthy. Implants also preserve the jaw bone at the gap site, which bridges do not.
On the other hand, bridges are placed faster (no healing time) and typically cost less upfront than implants. For some patients, the adjacent teeth already have large fillings or crowns, in which case preparing them as bridge anchors makes practical sense. Our dentists review both options at your consultation and give you an honest assessment of which suits your specific tooth and jaw situation.
Missing a tooth or need a crown assessment? Call 519-624-4640. We are open 7 days at 355 Hespeler Road.
Why choose Cambridge Centre Dental Care for crowns and bridges
Digital scanning, no putty impressions
We have three intraoral scanners on-site: the Trios 6, Trios 3, and iTero Lumina. A digital scan takes minutes and produces a precise 3D model of your teeth. The accuracy of the scan directly affects how well your crown fits. Poor impressions lead to crowns that need adjustment or that fail early.
In-clinic 3D printing for temporaries
Our SprintRay 3D printer fabricates temporary crowns in-clinic. You leave with a well-fitting, same-day temporary while your permanent crown is made at the lab. This matters because a poorly made temporary can shift the underlying tooth or irritate the gum.
3D imaging for complex crown planning
For crown placements involving root canal-treated teeth, teeth with complex root anatomy, or cases where implant placement is also being considered, we use the Dexis OP3D CBCT machine. This produces a 3D scan of the tooth and surrounding bone before treatment begins.
Sedation available for anxious patients
Crown preparation is a longer appointment than a filling. Patients who find dental procedures stressful can request oral sedation or IV sedation. See our sleep dentistry page for a full breakdown of options.
Open 7 days including evenings
Crown and bridge appointments are available Monday through Thursday until 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday until 5:00 PM, and Sunday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by appointment. Two-appointment crown procedures can be scheduled across two different days without requiring time off work.
CDCP enrolled and all major insurance accepted
The Canada Dental Care Plan covers dental crowns when the procedure is deemed clinically necessary. Preauthorization is required before the crown is placed. We submit the preauthorization request on your behalf and confirm what is covered before the preparation appointment. We accept all major private insurance, NIHB, IFHP, iFinancing, cash, credit, debit, and cheque.
Cost of dental crowns and bridges in Cambridge
Crown and bridge costs depend on the material chosen, the tooth location, and whether preparatory treatment (such as root canal) is needed first.
Your specific cost depends on the material, complexity, and your insurance coverage. We provide a written estimate before treatment begins. Cost ranges are presented as market context only, not as CCDC-specific advertised fees.
CDCP patients: preauthorization is mandatory before crown placement. We handle this on your behalf. The CDCP fee schedule may differ from our standard fees, which can result in a gap between what CDCP pays and what we charge. We will explain any gap before you commit.
The crown placement process at our Cambridge clinic
Step 1: Examination and diagnosis
Your dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays, and determines whether a crown is the appropriate treatment. If the tooth has decay or infection that needs to be treated first, that happens before crown preparation begins.
Step 2: Tooth preparation and digital scan
The tooth is reduced on all surfaces to create room for the crown. A local anesthetic keeps you comfortable throughout. We take a digital scan with one of our three intraoral scanners. A temporary crown is placed using our in-clinic 3D printer.
Step 3: Laboratory fabrication
The digital scan is sent to the dental laboratory. The permanent crown is fabricated in the material you and your dentist have selected. This typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 4: Permanent crown placement
At your second appointment, the temporary is removed, the fit of the permanent crown is checked, and it is cemented in place. Your dentist checks your bite and makes any necessary adjustments before you leave.
Caring for your crown
Crowns do not decay, but the tooth beneath them and the gum tissue around them can. Brush twice daily, floss around the crown the same way you floss your natural teeth, and attend regular hygiene appointments. Avoid biting hard objects like ice, hard candy, or pen caps. If you grind your teeth, a night guard protects both your crowns and your natural teeth.
Most crowns last 10 to 20 years. When they need replacement, it is usually because the tooth underneath has developed new decay, the gum tissue has receded, or the crown has worn through at the margins. Your dentist checks the condition of all crowns at each examination appointment.
Frequently asked questions about dental crowns and bridges in Cambridge
Your dentist will tell you at an examination appointment. Common reasons include a tooth with a crack, a tooth where a large filling has failed or where there is not enough natural tooth left to hold a filling, a tooth that has just had root canal treatment, or a tooth that has broken under biting pressure. You do not need to guess. If you have pain, sensitivity, or a visible crack, book an examination.
The preparation appointment uses local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Some patients experience sensitivity or soreness in the treated area for a few days afterward as the gum tissue heals. Over-the-counter pain relievers manage this effectively. If discomfort is significant or worsening after a week, call us.
Most crowns last 10 to 20 years. Gold and metal crowns often exceed that range. Pure porcelain crowns can last 10 to 20 years with proper care. Grinding shortens crown lifespan significantly. A night guard is recommended for patients who grind, whether or not they have crowns.
Yes, when the crown is deemed clinically necessary and preauthorization is approved. The CDCP covers crowns that are needed to restore a tooth’s function, not purely cosmetic crowns. Preauthorization is required before the crown is placed. Cambridge Centre Dental Care is enrolled in CDCP and handles the preauthorization process on your behalf.
A filling replaces the decayed or damaged portion inside a tooth. A crown caps the entire visible portion of the tooth. When a cavity is small, a filling is appropriate. When a cavity is large, when the tooth has cracked, or when a significant portion of the tooth structure is gone, a filling cannot adequately restore the tooth and a crown is needed. Your dentist will assess which treatment applies to your situation.
Two appointments in most cases. The first appointment involves tooth preparation and taking a digital scan. A temporary crown is placed that day. The second appointment, usually 2 to 3 weeks later, involves fitting and cementing the permanent crown. Some complex cases involving root canal treatment first will require additional appointments.
It depends on your specific situation. Implants preserve the jaw bone and do not affect adjacent teeth, but they take longer and cost more. Bridges are faster and less expensive, and they are a practical option when the adjacent teeth already have crowns or significant restorations. Our dentists review both options at your consultation and give a recommendation based on your bone level, adjacent tooth health, and budget.
Call 519-624-4640 or book online at cambridgedentalcenter.ca. Open 7 days a week, 355 Hespeler Road.
Book your crown or bridge consultation in Cambridge
Cambridge Centre Dental Care is at 355 Hespeler Road, Unit 218, inside Cambridge Centre Mall. We are accepting new patients. Free parking is available at the mall entrance.