When a tooth is badly damaged, decayed, or has been weakened by a large filling or root canal, it needs more than a patch; it needs full protection. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, dental crowns and dental bridges are two of the most effective ways we restore strength, function, and beauty to a compromised or missing tooth. These restorations are designed to look completely natural, so you can regain a healthy, confident smile without any obvious sign of dental work. Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan craft each restoration with care and comfort in mind. To learn more, call (818) 541-1110.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that completely surrounds a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. We most often use a crown to restore a tooth that has been damaged or significantly decayed, but crowns can also improve the look of a misshapen or discolored tooth. Crowns are made from several materials, including all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic. The best material depends on the location of the tooth and your priorities. Front teeth are usually best served by an all-ceramic crown, since it offers the most natural appearance, while ceramic-on-metal crowns combine a natural look with the added durability that metal provides, making them a popular choice for teeth that handle heavy chewing.
Signs You May Need a Crown
A crown may be the right solution in a number of situations. We may recommend one if you have any of the following:
- A tooth that is cracked, chipped, or broken
- A large cavity that is too big for a simple filling to repair
- A tooth that has had a root canal and needs protection
- A tooth that has become severely worn down or weakened over time
- A tooth that is misshapen or badly discolored
- A tooth that needs to serve as an anchor for a dental bridge
The Benefits of a Dental Crown
A crown does more than cover a tooth; it gives a compromised tooth a new lease on life. Among the advantages our patients value most are the following:
- Full protection that holds a cracked or weakened tooth together
- Restored strength so you can chew comfortably again
- A natural appearance, especially with all-ceramic crowns
- Sealing and protecting a tooth after a root canal
- Relief for a tooth that has become severely sensitive
- A long-lasting restoration with proper care
- Improved confidence in the look of a misshapen or discolored tooth
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth without wearing a removable denture. The replacement tooth is held firmly in place by two crowns that sit on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge is made from ceramic or porcelain that is matched to your surrounding teeth, so it looks natural and blends in. Because the supporting crowns act as sturdy anchors, a bridge restores your ability to eat and speak normally and gives you a complete, confident smile. As skilled cosmetic dentists, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan make sure your new tooth looks and feels just right.
Choosing the Right Crown Material
Part of getting a great result is selecting the material best suited to the tooth in question. All-ceramic crowns offer the most lifelike appearance and are usually the top choice for front teeth and other highly visible areas, where blending in matters most. Ceramic-on-metal crowns combine a natural-looking exterior with a strong metal core, making them a dependable option for teeth that endure heavy chewing forces. All-metal crowns are the most durable of all and are sometimes chosen for back teeth where strength is the priority and appearance is less of a concern. During your visit we will explain the trade-offs and help you choose the material that fits the location of the tooth, your bite, and your preferences.
Before the Procedure
If you are getting a crown or bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend whitening your teeth first. We offer professional whitening that can brighten your smile quickly and easily, and it is important to do this beforehand because the materials used for crowns and bridges are both stain and bleach resistant. If your restoration is matched to yellowed teeth, it will stay that shade even if you whiten later. By whitening first, we can match your new crown or bridge to your brighter, more uniform smile.
When preparing for the procedure, we suggest planning to take a day off work, and possibly a couple of days if your schedule allows. It is normal for teeth to feel somewhat sensitive afterward, and it is easier to rest and recover when you are not juggling meetings and a busy day.
What to Expect During the Procedure
To place a crown, we first prepare the tooth by removing a portion of the enamel, creating room for the crown to fit around the tooth without crowding its neighbors. We then clean the tooth and attach a temporary crown using removable cement. You typically wear this temporary for about two weeks while your permanent crown is made. During that time, it is important to be gentle with what you eat and how you brush near that tooth, since the temporary is designed to come off easily.
Once your permanent restoration is ready, you return to our Glendale office so we can remove the temporary and bond the permanent one securely in place. For a crown, we seat the cap over the tooth and bond it firmly. For a bridge, crowns are placed on the two teeth surrounding the gap, and the replacement tooth is held between them by a section designed to look like natural gums. These two anchoring crowns make the new tooth as stable and durable as possible. We check your bite and make any fine adjustments so the result is comfortable, natural-looking, and built to last.
After the Procedure
The real benefit of a crown is the lasting protection it provides. By surrounding and reinforcing the tooth, a crown lets you eat your favorite foods again without fear of discomfort, no matter how damaged the tooth was before. It restores normal function so you can eat, drink, and speak with ease, which makes it ideal for teeth that are severely sensitive, cracked, chipped, or have undergone a root canal. A bridge offers the same kind of confidence for missing teeth, letting you eat and speak normally without worrying about a tooth loosening or shifting. Both restorations are well suited to people with active lifestyles who do not want to be held back by their teeth.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, a well-made crown or bridge can last many years, and often well over a decade. The exact lifespan depends on the material, the location and forces on the tooth, and how well you care for it at home. Because a bridge relies on the health of its anchoring teeth, keeping those teeth and your gums healthy is essential to its longevity. At your routine visits we inspect your restorations to confirm they are holding up, the margins are sealed, and the supporting teeth remain strong, so we can catch and address any concern early. Avoiding habits like chewing ice and grinding your teeth, and wearing a nightguard if needed, also goes a long way toward protecting your investment.
Caring for Your Crowns and Bridges
With good care, crowns and bridges can last for many years. To protect your restoration and the teeth that support it, keep these habits in mind:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily, cleaning carefully around and under the restoration
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or other hard objects
- Wear a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth
- Keep up with regular checkups so we can inspect your restorations
- Use a floss threader or interdental brush to clean beneath a bridge
- Call us promptly if a crown or bridge ever feels loose or uncomfortable
Comfort and Mercury-Free Technology
We know that even a routine restoration can feel daunting, so comfort guides every step of crown and bridge treatment at Infinite Dental Wellness. We take time to numb the area thoroughly and gently before we begin, and we check in with you throughout so the experience stays calm and unhurried. Our team explains what is happening at each stage and welcomes your questions, because feeling informed is one of the best ways to feel at ease in the dental chair.
Our practice is proudly mercury-free, and we use tooth-colored, biocompatible materials along with modern digital X-rays that produce detailed images while reducing radiation exposure compared with older film. This blend of gentle, communicative care and up-to-date technology helps us deliver precise, comfortable, natural-looking results for patients of every age, from children to seniors.
What to Expect While You Adjust to a New Crown or Bridge
It is normal for a tooth to feel a little sensitive for a short time after a crown is placed, especially to temperature, and this usually settles within a few days as the tooth adjusts. Your bite may feel slightly different at first while your mouth becomes accustomed to the new restoration. If a crown or bridge feels too high, uneven, or uncomfortable when you bite down, let us know, because a quick adjustment can make all the difference and is a normal part of getting the fit just right.
- Mild temperature sensitivity for a few days is common and typically fades on its own
- Chew on the opposite side for the first day if the area feels tender
- Keep the restoration and surrounding gums clean with gentle brushing and flossing
- Contact us if sensitivity lingers, the bite feels off, or anything feels loose
Once your mouth has adjusted, a well-made crown or bridge should feel comfortable and natural, blending in with your other teeth so you can eat, speak, and smile without giving it a second thought. With good home care and regular checkups, your restoration can serve you well for many years.
Cost and Insurance
We want quality dental care to be within reach, so we work hard to keep treatment affordable and transparent. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO dental insurance plans, and our team is happy to review your benefits with you, estimate your out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins, and answer any questions about coverage. Please note that we do not participate in Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. If you do not have insurance, ask us about your options when you call. We will always discuss the cost of recommended treatment up front so there are no surprises.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness
Patients across Glendale and the surrounding San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles communities choose Infinite Dental Wellness for a reason. We have earned a 4.9-star rating from more than 300 reviews, and our husband-and-wife team, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan, are both USC-trained dentists who bring a shared commitment to gentle, thorough, and honest care. Our practice is mercury-free, we welcome patients of every age from young children to seniors, and we reserve time for same-day emergencies so you are never left waiting in pain. From the moment you walk in, our goal is to make you feel informed, respected, and at ease.
Our office is conveniently located in Glendale, making it easy for families throughout the area, including Burbank, La Crescenta, Montrose, Eagle Rock, and the greater Los Angeles region, to reach us. We offer appointment times designed to fit busy schedules, and our warm, welcoming environment is built around your comfort.
Whether you need to restore a damaged tooth or replace a missing one, crowns and bridges offer a natural-looking, durable solution that can give you back your smile and your confidence. To learn more or to schedule a visit, call Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale at (818) 541-1110. We are accepting new patients of all ages and would be glad to help you and your family enjoy healthier, more confident smiles.
Why Glendale Patients Choose Us for Dental Crowns
Families throughout Glendale and the surrounding communities trust Infinite Dental Wellness because we combine genuine, unhurried care with modern, mercury-free dentistry. With a 4.9-star Google rating and more than 300 reviews, our husband-and-wife team has built a reputation for listening first and recommending only the treatment that truly benefits your health.
- A clean, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly office designed for your comfort.
- Gentle care for the whole family, from children to seniors.
- All PPO insurance accepted (we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal).
- Same-day emergency appointments when you need them most.
If you have questions about dental crowns or would like to schedule a visit, we would love to hear from you. Call Infinite Dental Wellness at (818) 541-1110 and take the first step toward a healthier smile.