A cracked, root-canal-treated, or badly worn tooth often needs more than a filling — that's where a crown comes in. Smile Center Dentistry matches shade and shape to your surrounding teeth before anything is fabricated.
Material choice affects durability and cost differently depending on which tooth is involved, and we explain that honestly. A restoration is only as good as its fit, which is why we don't rush that step.
Digital impressions reduce fitting errors compared to traditional putty molds. The scan also lets you see a preview of your bite before fabrication begins.
We recommend material based on which tooth is involved and how much chewing force it takes, not just price. 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.
If a crown or bridge doesn't fit or feel right, we adjust or remake it at no extra charge within the guarantee period. 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.
Highly durable and metal-free, zirconia is a strong choice for back teeth that handle heavy chewing force. Ideal when strength is the top priority.
A glass-ceramic material known for a more translucent, natural appearance, often preferred for front teeth. 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.
We evaluate whether repair or full replacement makes more sense for your specific restoration. We'll tell you honestly which option actually solves the problem.
We ask about the tooth's history — root canal, crack, missing — so we're prepared for your consult.
A temporary crown protects the tooth while your permanent restoration is made.
We discuss zirconia, e.max, or PFM based on which tooth and how much force it needs to handle.
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."
"They walked through all three material options with actual pros and cons instead of just picking one for me."
"Crown milling was done same-visit for my case, saved me a whole second appointment."
Same-day crown milling may be available for some cases, which we discuss at your consult. We'll give you a specific timeline once we know your exact case.
It depends on which tooth and how much chewing force it handles — we recommend based on your specific case, not a default choice. We're glad to walk through samples so you can see the differences yourself.
A bridge avoids surgery but involves the neighboring teeth; an implant doesn't touch them but requires a longer process. We'll tell you if your adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway, which can tip the decision toward a bridge.
Yes — we shade-match to your surrounding teeth and choose material based on where visibility matters most. Back teeth prioritize strength since they're less visible when you smile.
Come back and we'll adjust the fit or bite at no extra charge within the guarantee period. Most bite adjustments take just a few minutes chairside.
Cost depends on material choice and whether it's a single crown or a multi-tooth bridge — we quote this after your exam. Financing options are available for larger restoration cases.
Our team serves Ames and the surrounding zip codes with the same material-matched approach at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Ames are welcome to book a restoration consult.
We'll match material and shade to your specific tooth, not a generic default.
Call +1-866-227-2801