Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Invisalign Emergency Dentist PRF / CGF Crowns & Bridges About Dr. Kim New Patients Anaheim Office Los Angeles Office Financing FAQ 한국어
Anaheim: (714) 635-1021 Los Angeles: (213) 500-9968
Restorative Dentistry

Dental Crowns & Bridges in Los Angeles & Anaheim

Restore damaged or missing teeth with natural-looking crowns and bridges. Durable, comfortable, and designed to match your smile.

Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns — When You Need One

A dental crown is a cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It is cemented in place and functions like a natural tooth.

Severe Decay

When decay is too extensive for a filling to support the remaining tooth structure.

Cracked Tooth

A crown holds a cracked tooth together and prevents the fracture from worsening.

After Root Canal

A tooth becomes brittle after root canal therapy and needs a crown for protection.

Broken Cusp

When a large portion of the tooth has broken off and cannot be restored with bonding alone.

Failing Old Filling

A large, aging amalgam or composite filling that is failing and leaving too little healthy tooth around it.

Cosmetic Reasons

To improve the appearance of a badly discolored or misshapen tooth when other options are not suitable.

Materials We Use

  • Porcelain: Most natural-looking, ideal for front teeth, excellent color matching
  • Zirconia: Extremely strong, metal-free, excellent for back teeth
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Strong with a natural look; metal margin may show over time

The Two-Visit Process

  • Visit 1: Exam, X-rays, tooth prep under local anesthesia, impressions or digital scan, temporary crown placed
  • Lab fabrication: Your custom crown is made over 2–3 weeks
  • Visit 2: Temporary removed, final crown fitted and permanently cemented

With good oral hygiene, crowns typically last 10–15 years or longer. Avoid chewing ice or very hard foods to maximize longevity.

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges — Replacing Missing Teeth

A dental bridge literally bridges the gap left by one or more missing teeth. An artificial tooth — called a pontic — is held in place by crowns cemented onto the healthy teeth on either side.

When a Bridge Is the Right Choice

Bridges work well when one to three consecutive teeth are missing and the neighboring teeth are healthy enough to support crowns. They are faster to place than implants and require no surgery.

What to Know Going In

The adjacent healthy teeth must be prepared (reduced in size) to accept the supporting crowns. This is permanent. Dr. Kim will explain the tradeoffs and help you choose the option that fits your bone health, timeline, and budget.

Bridge vs. Implant — At a Glance

Factor Bridge Implant
Timeline 2–3 weeks 3–6 months
Surgery Required No Yes
Adjacent Teeth Prepared (reduced) Untouched
Upfront Cost Lower Higher
Longevity 10–15 years 20+ years
Bone Preservation No Yes
Crown Materials

Porcelain vs. Zirconia — Which Is Right for You?

The best material depends on which tooth is being restored, how much chewing force it takes, and what appearance result matters most to you. Dr. Kim will make a recommendation at your exam.

All-Porcelain

Front Teeth

The most lifelike option. Porcelain transmits light the way natural enamel does, allowing precise shade matching. The material of choice for visible front teeth where aesthetics are the priority.

Zirconia

Back Teeth & Front

Extremely strong and metal-free. Modern high-translucency zirconia looks excellent in any position in the mouth while withstanding the heavy forces of back-tooth chewing. Increasingly our most-used material.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

Less Common Now

A porcelain layer bonded to a metal substructure. Strong, but the metal margin can become visible at the gumline as gums naturally recede over time. Less commonly placed today given the strength of modern zirconia.

What to Expect

Your Crown or Bridge — Step by Step

The process is straightforward and comfortable. Most patients are surprised by how manageable it is.

Exam & Planning

Clinical exam and X-rays to evaluate the tooth and surrounding bone. We discuss material options and confirm the treatment plan.

Tooth Preparation

Under local anesthesia, the tooth is shaped to accept the crown. Impressions or a digital scan are taken. A temporary crown protects the tooth while your permanent restoration is made.

Lab Fabrication

Your prescription is sent to a dental laboratory. A skilled ceramist handcrafts the crown or bridge to match the shade and contours of your surrounding teeth. This takes 2–3 weeks.

Final Placement

The temporary is removed, fit is verified, bite is adjusted as needed, and the permanent crown or bridge is cemented into place. You leave with the final restoration.

Aftercare Tips

  • Mild sensitivity for a few days after each appointment is normal — it resolves on its own
  • Avoid very hard or sticky foods for the first couple of weeks
  • Continue normal oral hygiene: brush twice daily, floss carefully around the margins
  • For bridges, use a floss threader or water flosser to clean beneath the pontic
  • Keep your regular hygiene visits — we will monitor the margins at each one
Cost & Financing

Investment & Payment Options

Costs vary by material, location, and complexity. We provide itemized estimates before any treatment begins.

Dental Crown

$1,200 – $2,000

Per tooth. Zirconia and all-porcelain crowns are at the higher end of the range. Cost includes prep, temporary, and final placement.

3-Unit Dental Bridge

$3,000 – $6,000

For a standard three-unit bridge (two anchor crowns plus one pontic). Larger bridges are priced accordingly.

Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown and bridge costs — typically 50% after your deductible, up to your annual maximum. Our team will verify your benefits before your appointment and provide a clear breakdown.

Cherry Financing — Apply in Minutes

Low monthly payments with no hard credit pull to apply. Available at both locations.

Anaheim Office

1150 N Harbor Blvd Suite 154, Anaheim CA 92801

Apply — Anaheim

LA / Koreatown Office

3600 Wilshire Blvd Suite 220, Los Angeles CA 90010

Apply — Los Angeles
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The tooth and surrounding tissue are fully numbed with local anesthesia before any preparation begins. The procedure itself should be comfortable. It is normal to experience mild sensitivity or soreness around the prepared tooth for a few days after each appointment — this resolves on its own and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
The average lifespan of a well-made crown is 10–15 years, though many last 20 years or longer with proper care. Longevity depends on your oral hygiene, whether you grind your teeth, and which tooth is crowned. Dr. Kim will monitor your crown at each recall visit.
The crown itself cannot decay — it is a ceramic or metal material. However, the natural tooth structure at the margin (where the crown meets the gumline) can still develop decay if plaque accumulates there. Flossing daily around the crown margin is the most important thing you can do to prevent this.
It depends on your bone health, the condition of the adjacent teeth, your timeline, and your budget. Implants preserve the jawbone and leave neighboring teeth untouched, but they require surgery and a longer timeline. A bridge is faster, non-surgical, and less expensive upfront. Dr. Kim will evaluate your specific situation and give you a clear recommendation at your consultation.
We use high-quality lab-fabricated crowns rather than in-office milled restorations. This means two appointments rather than one, but the quality of fit, contour, and aesthetics from a skilled dental ceramist is meaningfully better than what a milling machine produces chairside. For a restoration you will have for the next 15 years, the extra two weeks is worth it.
Patient Reviews

What Our Patients Say

★★★★★

"I needed a crown after cracking a molar and was dreading the whole process. Dr. Kim made it completely stress-free. The prep appointment was painless, and the final crown fits perfectly — I forget it's even there."

James T. Anaheim Location
★★★★★

"Got a three-unit bridge to replace a missing tooth. Dr. Kim explained every option clearly and was upfront about costs. The bridge looks completely natural — my friends can't tell. Very happy with the result."

Sarah K. LA / Koreatown Location
★★★★★

"I had an old PFM crown that showed the dark line at the gumline. Dr. Kim replaced it with a zirconia crown and the difference is night and day. Professional, honest, and the office runs on time. Highly recommend."

Michelle P. Anaheim Location

Ready to Restore Your Smile?

Call either location to schedule your crown or bridge consultation. Same-week appointments are often available.

Anaheim — Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat (714) 635-1021
LA / Koreatown — Tue, Thu & Sat (213) 500-9968