Restorative Dentistry/Dental Crowns & Bridges

Dental Crowns & Bridges in Southwest Austin

You came in for a routine cleaning and left with news: that big filling you have had for years is cracking the tooth, and another filling will not hold it anymore. It needs a crown. Honestly, this is one of the most common reasons folks land in our chair. A filling gets big enough, the tooth around it thins out and starts to flex, and a cap is the thing that saves it. We handle these at Lantana Place, right across from the AMD and SolarWinds campuses, so it is an easy stop near work. Planning to whiten too? Do it first so we can match your crown to the brighter shade.

Fixed, natural-looking restorations · Crowns & bridges built to last

Digital

Scans, no messy putty

Crown material options

100+

Insurance plans accepted

Convenient locations

The basics

A crown caps a tooth a big filling can no longer hold, while a bridge fills the gap of one already gone. Both are crown and bridge work we do every week.

A filling plugs a small hole. A crown caps a tooth too far gone for one. Cap it before it cracks.

Crowns

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits completely over a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth's strength, shape, and appearance. It also protects against further damage.

Crowns are made from several materials

Porcelain or ceramic: Natural-looking and ideal for front teeth
Metal or metal alloys: Maximum strength, best for back molars
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Balances durability with a natural appearance
Zirconia: Strong, tooth-colored, and biocompatible

Our team uses precise digital scans to make every step of your crown treatment smooth and efficient.

Bridges

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge replaces one to three consecutive missing teeth. It anchors onto surrounding teeth or implants (called abutments) and uses artificial teeth called pontics to fill the gap.

This restores chewing and speaking function. It also prevents remaining teeth from drifting out of alignment.

Bridges come in four main types

Traditional bridges: Crowns on adjacent teeth support the pontic
Maryland bridges: A pontic held by thin wings bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth, with little to no reshaping
Implant-supported bridges: Anchored to dental implants for added stability
Cantilever bridges: Attached on one side only, used in specific cases

Why a crown

Why a big filling becomes a crown.

Past a certain size, a filling has nothing solid to hold. A crown caps the whole tooth and carries the bite so it does not crack.

Saves a tooth a filling can no longer hold

This is exactly why your dentist flagged it. A filling that big leaves the rest of the tooth flexing on every bite, and one day it just splits. The crown wraps around it and soaks up that pressure, so the tooth stays whole instead of cracking to the root.

Caught early, before it cracks for real

Replacing an oversized filling with a crown while the tooth is still whole keeps you in crown territory. Wait until it splits and you can be looking at a root canal or losing the tooth.

A clean digital fit

We scan the tooth in 3D, no putty, so the crown seats accurately and your bite feels right the first time.

Built to outlast the old filling

A crown on a back molar can run well over a decade, far longer than a stretched filling that was already living on borrowed time.

We will not over-treat

If the tooth can still take one more filling, we will tell you. We crown the ones that need it, not the ones that do not.

What to expect

The crown & bridge procedure.

Treatment is straightforward and broken into clear, predictable steps. Here is what happens at each stage.

Tooth preparation

Your dentist reshapes the damaged tooth to make room for the crown.

Digital scan

Accurate 3D scans create your custom crown, with no messy putty impressions.

Temporary crown

Protects your tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated.

Permanent placement

The crown is fitted, checked for bite and alignment, and bonded in place.

Before your visit

How to prepare for your crown appointment.

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth visit. Here’s what to keep in mind before you come in.

Feeling prepared makes a real difference. Our team is happy to walk you through what to expect before anything begins.

Eat beforehand

Local anesthesia can make eating uncomfortable for a few hours afterward. Have a meal before your appointment.

Share your medical history

Let your dentist know about any medications, allergies, or recent health changes. This helps us plan your care safely.

Ask about sedation

If dental anxiety is a concern, ask our team about dental sedation options when you book.

Plan your day

Most crown appointments take one to two hours. Your dentist will let you know what to expect at each visit.

Arrange a ride if needed

Sedation patients should arrange transportation home in advance.

Know your options

Crowns vs. other restoration options.

Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. Here’s how crowns compare to other common options.

CrownvsFilling

A filling works well for minor decay or small damage. When more than half of a tooth's structure is compromised, a crown provides full coverage and stronger protection.

CrownvsImplant

A crown restores a natural tooth that still has its root. A dental implant replaces a tooth that has already been removed. Sometimes both are needed to complete a restoration.

CrownvsVeneer

Veneers cover only the front surface of a tooth for cosmetic improvement. If a tooth is cracked, weakened, or has had a root canal, a crown is the right choice, not a veneer.

Is it right for you

When a big filling should become a crown

It really comes down to how much tooth is left. Once a cavity or an old filling has eaten more than about half of it, a new filling has nothing solid to grab, and a crown becomes the safer bet. The warning signs are not subtle. A tooth that aches when you chew. A filling that feels rough or shows a crack line. A piece that has already broken off. The American College of Prosthodontists notes a crown fully covers and protects a damaged tooth. You may be a good crown candidate if you have:

✓A cracked, fractured, or heavily decayed tooth
✓A tooth that has had a root canal
✓Missing teeth that need a stable, fixed replacement
✓Dental implants that need a crown to complete the restoration
✓Severe discoloration or a misshapen tooth affecting your smile

Area Served

Southwest Austin neighborhoods we serve

We are at Lantana Place across from the AMD and SolarWinds campuses, so a crown visit fits a lunch block or a stop after work. We see patients from across southwest Austin, including:

● Lantana and Travis Country, right around the studio
● Barton Creek and Western Oaks
● East Oak Hill and the edge of Circle C
● The 78735, 78749, and 78739 corridors

Not sure if we are the closest Enamel studio to you? Find your nearest location and book online in minutes.

Serving southwest Austin and surrounding communities

Dental crowns & bridges across southwest Austin

Lantana Studio

7415 Southwest Parkway Building 6 #200

Austin, TX 78735

Phone: (512) 648-6115

Getting here: At Lantana Place by the Moviehouse, right across from the AMD and SolarWinds campuses off Southwest Parkway.

Areas served: Lantana, Travis Country, Barton Creek, Western Oaks, East Oak Hill, and the edge of Circle C. Primary ZIPs 78735, 78749, and 78739.

Dental crowns & bridges at every Enamel studio

LantanaSW Austin · this studio The DomainNorth Austin Parmer ParkNorth Austin South Lamar78704 The GroveCentral Austin SaltilloEast Austin Easton ParkSE Austin Leander183A ManorManor McKinneyDallas

Make it last

Caring for your crowns and bridges.

Good daily habits extend the life of your restoration significantly. Follow these simple guidelines.

Brush and floss daily

Pay close attention to crown margins and beneath bridge pontics.

Avoid hard or sticky foods

These can damage or dislodge your restoration.

Keep regular checkups

Your dentist monitors surrounding teeth and gum health over time.

Wear a night guard

If you grind your teeth, a guard protects your restoration from excess wear.

With consistent care, your crown or bridge can last well over a decade.

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Insurance & Payment

Don't let cost wait until the tooth cracks.

Crowning an over-filled tooth now costs far less than the root canal or extraction a crack would bring, and the price should not make you wait. We go over it up front and give you a few ways to spread it out.

Financing

Financing Options

Spread your crown across low monthly payments through trusted lending partners. Quick application, a soft credit check, and clear terms before you decide.

Explore options →

Insurance

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Most PPO plans count crowns toward your yearly benefits. Send us your plan and we will tell you what it covers before your visit, so nothing surprises you at checkout.

Check coverage →

No insurance? No problem.

Enamel Dental Plan

One flat annual fee covers your cleanings and exams and takes a chunk off restorative work like crowns. Built for southwest Austin patients paying their own way.

See the plan →

Tooth troubles?

Filling to crown questions

Common questions we hear from southwest Austin patients about turning a big filling into a crown. Still wondering? Just ask us at your visit.

Call (512) 648-6115

Why can't I just get another filling?+

Past a certain size, a filling has nothing solid left to hold onto. The thin walls around it flex every time you bite, and flexing is what cracks teeth. A crown covers the whole tooth, so the flexing stops. If you want the deeper comparison, here is more on composite fillings and where they stop being enough.

The tooth does not hurt yet. Can the crown wait?+

A little, but not forever. The teeth that crack are usually the ones with a big old filling that did not hurt until the day it split. Crowning it before that happens is the easier, cheaper path.

How long does a crown last versus the filling it replaces?+

A crown on a back tooth often runs ten to fifteen years or more with care, where an oversized filling might be patching the same spot every couple of years. The crown is the long-term answer.

Is it a big appointment?+

Two short visits. The first preps and scans the tooth and sends you home with a temporary. The second seats the permanent crown and checks your bite. Easy to fit around a workday near the campus.

Are you close to the AMD and SolarWinds offices?+

Right across the street, at Lantana Place by the Moviehouse. A crown visit fits neatly into a lunch block or right after work.

Quick links

Explore related care.

More ways we help at our Lantana studio

Lantana

Schedule

Told a big filling finally needs a crown?

Book online or call and we will cap it with a clean digital fit before the tooth cracks. Here is what sets us apart:

✓ Digital scans instead of messy putty impressions for a more comfortable fit
✓ Transparent pricing and no surprise bills, ever
✓ Insurance verification completed before treatment begins
✓ At Lantana Place across from the AMD and SolarWinds campuses
✓ Friendly, experienced team in network with most major PPO plans

In-network with most major PPO insurance plans. Flexible financing available. No surprise bills, ever.

Schedule Your Visit→Call Us