Dental Crowns and Bridges in Hillsboro — Restore Damaged or Missing Teeth

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Dental Crowns and Bridges in Hillsboro — Restore Damaged or Missing Teeth

After about 4,000 same-day crowns at this office, the most common question is still: “Can I really walk out with a permanent crown today?” For most cases the answer is yes — about 70-80% of single-crown work at our office gets done CEREC same-day in a single 2-hour visit. The exceptions are honest: highly aesthetic top-front central incisors where layered porcelain is needed for a perfect color match, those still go to the lab for layered e.max. For posterior molars and most premolars, BruxZir zirconia or in-office CEREC ceramic gives the right combination of strength and natural appearance. Dr. Ostovar has been restoring teeth at this Shaleen Street office since 2011 — call (503) 614-0198 to schedule.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fully covers a damaged tooth and restores its strength, shape, and function. According to American Dental Association guidelines on dental crowns and the American College of Prosthodontists, there is a small, well-defined set of clinical situations where a crown is the right answer — and these are the same ones we see most often:

• A tooth with a large filling that has cracked, leaked, or fractured — once a filling covers more than about half the tooth, the remaining tooth structure is too weak to hold another filling reliably
• After root canal therapy — endodontically treated teeth become more brittle because the nerve and blood supply have been removed; a crown protects the tooth from fracturing
• A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth — a crown holds the tooth together and prevents the crack from propagating into the root, which would mean extraction
• Severely worn teeth from grinding (bruxism) — crowns rebuild lost height and protect against further wear
• Cosmetic correction of a misshapen or badly discolored tooth — when bonding or veneers are not enough
• The visible top of a dental implant — every implant restoration ends in a crown

What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Material choice depends on where the tooth sits in your mouth, how hard you grind, and how much aesthetics matter. Dr. Ostovar discusses the trade-offs with you before any preparation begins.

| Material | Strength | Aesthetics | Best For |
|—|—|—|—|
| Lithium disilicate (e.max) | High | Excellent — natural translucency | Front teeth, premolars |
| Zirconia (full-contour) | Very high | Good — slightly more opaque | Molars, grinders, bridges |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | High | Good — small metal margin can show at gumline over time | Back teeth, longer-span bridges |
| Full gold | Very high | Not tooth-colored | Back molars where durability outranks looks |
| CEREC ceramic (lithium disilicate / leucite blocks) | High | Excellent | Same-day single crowns, front and back |

For most patients we recommend e.max or CEREC ceramic — both look natural and last well. Zirconia is the workhorse for back molars and for patients who clench or grind. Gold is rare these days but still the most durable option ever made.

Same-Day CEREC Crown vs. Traditional Lab Crown

We offer both. Roughly 70-80% of single-crown cases at our office are done same-day with CEREC.

Same-Day CEREC Crown — About 2 Hours, One Visit

1. Tooth preparation (15-20 minutes) — the damaged tooth is reshaped to receive the crown
2. Digital scan (2-3 minutes) — Sirona Primescan captures the tooth in 3D color, no goopy impression trays
3. Crown design (10-15 minutes) — Dr. Ostovar designs the crown on-screen using CEREC CAD software
4. In-office milling (10-15 minutes) — the crown is milled from a solid ceramic block
5. Try-in, glaze, and bond (15-20 minutes) — the crown is fitted, polished, and bonded permanently

You leave with the permanent crown that day. No temporary. No second visit. No second numbing.

Traditional Lab Crown — Two Visits, About 2 Weeks Apart

For specialty cases — layered porcelain for a front-tooth color match, full zirconia, or gold — we use an outside lab.

• Visit 1 (45-60 minutes): Tooth preparation, digital impression, temporary crown placed
• Lab fabrication: 1-2 weeks
• Visit 2 (30-45 minutes): Temporary removed, permanent crown adjusted and cemented

“The honest answer to ‘CEREC or lab?’ is that for a back molar that needs to be strong and look reasonable, CEREC wins almost every time — one visit, no temporary, great fit. For a front central incisor where I want layered porcelain to match the neighboring tooth perfectly, I will send to the lab. The patient gets the right tool for the job, not a one-size approach.” — Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD, FAGD

When Do You Need a Dental Bridge?

A bridge replaces one to three missing teeth in a row by anchoring artificial teeth (called pontics) to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. Dr. Ostovar may recommend a bridge when:

• You are missing one to three adjacent teeth
• The teeth on either side of the gap already need crowns — those teeth become the bridge anchors
• You want a fixed (non-removable) replacement faster than implants would take
• You are not a candidate for implants due to bone, medical, or cost considerations

What Types of Dental Bridges Are There?

Traditional 3-unit bridge — the most common. Two crowns on the teeth flanking the gap, with one pontic suspended between them. Requires preparing the anchor teeth.

Cantilever bridge — the pontic is supported by a crown on only one side. Used when there is a tooth on only one side of the gap. Less common.

Maryland (resin-bonded) bridge — the pontic is bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth with a thin metal or ceramic wing. No full crown preparation needed. Best for front teeth with light bite forces.

Implant-supported bridge — two dental implants anchor the bridge instead of natural teeth. The biggest advantage: no healthy adjacent teeth get ground down. Best for spans of three or more missing teeth, and almost always the better long-term choice when the anchor teeth would otherwise be healthy.

Bridge or Implant — Which Is Better?

| Factor | Dental Bridge | Single Implant |
|—|—|—|
| Adjacent teeth | Anchor teeth must be ground down | Implant stands alone |
| Treatment time | 2-3 weeks | 4-8 months (allows for osseointegration) |
| Lifespan | 7-15 years | 20+ years, often lifetime |
| Bone preservation | Bone shrinks under the pontic | Implant stimulates bone, prevents shrinkage |
| Cost | $2,500-$5,000 (3-unit bridge) | $3,500-$5,500 (implant + crown) |
| Cleaning | Floss threader or water flosser under pontic | Brush and floss like a natural tooth |
| Best when | Anchor teeth already need crowns | Anchor teeth are healthy |

There is no universally “better” answer — it depends on the condition of your neighboring teeth, your bone, your budget, and how soon you want to be done. Dr. Ostovar will lay out both options honestly during your consultation.

What Happens at Your Crown Appointment?

For a same-day CEREC crown, here is the step-by-step:

Numbing (5-10 minutes). Topical gel first, then local anesthetic. Most patients feel only mild pressure during the injection. Full numbness in about 5 minutes.

Tooth preparation (15-20 minutes). Dr. Ostovar reshapes the tooth, removing decay and creating clean margins for the crown to seat against. You feel vibration and pressure but no pain.

Digital scan (2-3 minutes). A small wand captures the prepared tooth, the opposing teeth, and your bite in full 3D color. No impression trays.

Design and milling (25-30 minutes). Dr. Ostovar designs the crown on-screen — shape, contacts with neighboring teeth, bite. The design is sent to the in-office mill, which carves the crown from a ceramic block. You can read or watch a show while it mills.

Try-in and bond (15-20 minutes). The crown is tried in, the bite is adjusted, the color is checked, and then it is bonded permanently with a strong dental adhesive cured by a blue light.

Aftercare. Numbness wears off in 2-4 hours — avoid chewing until then. Mild cold sensitivity for a few days is normal and usually resolves within a week.

In my experience treating patients across Hillsboro and Beaverton over 15+ years, the most common regret I hear is “I wish I’d done the crown when you first told me.” Waiting until a filling cracks or a tooth fractures mid-chew usually means we need root canal therapy first — adding time, cost, and an extra appointment. When a tooth has a large filling covering more than half the chewing surface, the crown conversation is honest preventive care, not upselling. As a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), I emphasize case-by-case evaluation — some borderline teeth can wait another year with monitoring, others cannot. The CEREC system gives us same-day options for most cases, which removes the “I don’t have time for two visits” barrier that used to delay treatment. — Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD, FAGD

What Happens at a Bridge Appointment?

A traditional bridge takes two visits about two weeks apart.

Visit 1 (60-90 minutes). The anchor teeth on either side of the gap are prepared, a digital scan is taken, and a temporary bridge is placed. You wear the temporary while the lab fabricates the permanent bridge.

Visit 2 (30-45 minutes). The temporary is removed, the permanent bridge is tried in and adjusted for fit and bite, then cemented permanently.

If the anchor teeth are healthy and you want to avoid grinding them down, an implant-supported bridge is the alternative — it takes longer (4-8 months) but preserves your existing teeth and lasts much longer.

How Much Do Dental Crowns and Bridges Cost in Hillsboro?

| Treatment | Typical Cost at East Wind |
|—|—|
| Same-day CEREC crown | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Lab-fabricated porcelain crown (e.max) | $1,200-$1,600 |
| Full zirconia crown | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown | $1,000-$1,400 |
| Full gold crown | $1,400-$2,000 |
| 3-unit porcelain bridge | $2,500-$4,500 |
| 3-unit zirconia bridge | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Implant-supported bridge (2 implants + 3-unit bridge) | $7,000-$12,000 |

Insurance: Most dental plans cover crowns and bridges under the major restorative benefit, typically at 50% after the deductible, with annual maximums around $1,500-$2,000. We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before any work begins.

No insurance? Use our VIP Membership Plan: $299/year for adults, 15% off all treatment, no annual maximum, no waiting periods. Every dollar of office fees you pay accumulates as 100% credit toward future treatment if you do not use it that year — so the membership pays for itself if you need a single crown.

Financing: CareCredit (0% interest for up to 24 months), Sunbit, and Cherry Health all available. Most patients with a $1,200 crown end up paying $50-$100 per month on a financing plan.

How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?

With routine cleanings and good home care:

• Porcelain / e.max / CEREC crowns: 10-15+ years
• Zirconia crowns: 15-20+ years
• Gold crowns: 20-30+ years
• Traditional bridges: 7-15 years (the limit is usually the health of the anchor teeth, not the bridge itself)
• Implant-supported bridges: 20+ years for the implants; the bridge superstructure may need refurbishing at 10-15 years

The biggest threats to crown and bridge lifespan are grinding (a custom night guard is the fix), gum disease causing decay at the crown margin, and chewing ice or hard candies.

Serving Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, and Beyond

We restore teeth for patients from across Washington County:

• Hillsboro and the NE Cornell Road corridor
• Orenco Station and the MAX Blue Line area
• Tanasbourne and the Streets of Tanasbourne
• Aloha and the TV Highway corridor
• Beaverton and Cedar Hills
• South Hillsboro and Reed’s Crossing
• Rock Creek and AmberGlen
• Cornelius and Forest Grove
• Intel employees at the Ronler Acres and Jones Farm campuses

Same-Day Crown or Lab Crown?

Most cases can be done in one visit. Call (503) 614-0198 to discuss your options.

Call (503) 614-0198

What Patients Say

★★★★★

Rated 4.9 / 5 across 300+ Google reviews — read what Hillsboro patients say about dental crowns and bridges.

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Related Services at East Wind Dental Care

• Same-Day CEREC Crowns — Same-day CEREC crowns in one appointment
• Same-Day Crowns — Single-visit crown options
• Dental Implants — Implants vs. bridges — which is right for you
• Root Canal Therapy — When a crown follows root canal therapy
• Inlays & Onlays — Conservative alternatives to a full crown
• Cosmetic Dentistry — Cosmetic crown options

Areas We Serve

East Wind Dental Care welcomes patients from across Washington County and the west Portland metro area: Hillsboro, Orenco Station, Tanasbourne, Aloha, Beaverton, South Hillsboro, Rock Creek, AmberGlen, Cornelius, Forest Grove, North Plains, and Banks.

Frequently Asked Questions — Dental Crowns and Bridges Hillsboro

How long do dental crowns last in Hillsboro?

Lithium-disilicate (e.max) and CEREC ceramic crowns typically last 10-15 years. BruxZir and full zirconia run 15-20 years. Gold crowns: 20-30 years or longer. After about 4,000 same-day crowns at this office, the limiting factor is rarely the crown material itself — it’s grinding (bruxism) wearing down the opposing tooth or the cement margin, and decay forming where the crown meets the natural tooth. A custom night guard and 6-month cleanings extend lifespan significantly.

How much does a dental crown cost without insurance in Oregon?

At East Wind in 2026: same-day CEREC ceramic $1,000-$1,500, lab-fabricated lithium-disilicate (e.max) $1,200-$1,600, full zirconia $1,200-$1,800, PFM $1,000-$1,400, full gold $1,400-$2,000. Most dental insurance plans cover crowns at 50% under the major restorative benefit after the deductible. VIP Membership Plan members get 15% off all fees. CareCredit 0% interest for up to 24 months brings most crowns to $50-$100/month.

What is the difference between a crown and a bridge?

A crown caps a single damaged tooth — covering all visible surfaces above the gum to restore strength and shape. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (pontics) to crowns on the neighboring natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. A 3-unit bridge = two anchor crowns + one pontic in the middle. Functionally, a crown restores; a bridge replaces.

Are porcelain crowns better than metal?

Honest tradeoff. Porcelain (lithium-disilicate, zirconia, CEREC ceramic) wins on aesthetics and is what most patients choose now — looks like a natural tooth, no metal margin showing at the gumline. Metal (PFM has a metal substructure under porcelain; full gold is solid metal) wins on durability — gold is still the longest-lasting crown material ever made, often 30+ years. For a back molar where nobody sees it and you grind hard, gold is genuinely the better engineering choice. For everything visible, porcelain.

Can I eat normally with a temporary crown?

With a same-day CEREC crown there is no temporary — you leave with the permanent. For lab crowns with a 1-2 week temporary phase: avoid sticky foods (gum, caramels, taffy — they can pull the temporary off), hard chewing on the temporary side (popcorn kernels, ice, nuts), and very cold drinks if the underlying tooth is sensitive. Soft to medium-firm foods on the other side of your mouth, brush gently around the temporary, and floss by sliding the floss out sideways instead of pulling up.

How many appointments are needed for a traditional crown?

Traditional lab crown: 2 appointments about 1-2 weeks apart. Visit 1 (45-60 minutes): tooth preparation, digital scan or impression, temporary crown placed. Lab fabrication takes 1-2 weeks. Visit 2 (30-45 minutes): temporary removed, permanent crown adjusted and cemented. Same-day CEREC ceramic crown: 1 appointment, about 2 hours, no temporary, no second visit.

Can a dental bridge be replaced with an implant later?

Yes, and it’s a common upgrade once a bridge ages out (typical bridge lifespan 7-15 years). The bridge gets removed, the anchor teeth that were ground down for the bridge often need restoration with single crowns, and a dental implant is placed in the missing tooth’s site. Some bone may need to be rebuilt with a graft if the ridge has shrunk under the pontic — that’s the tradeoff bridges make over time. Implant + 2 crowns on the former anchor teeth is the typical conversion.

Do crowns get cavities underneath?

Yes — recurrent decay at the crown margin (where the crown meets the natural tooth at the gumline) is the most common reason crowns fail long-term. The crown itself can’t decay (it’s ceramic or metal), but the underlying tooth can. Risk factors: skipped cleanings, gum recession exposing the root surface below the crown margin, dry mouth (medications, age, Sjögren’s), and high-sugar diet. 6-month cleanings catch margin decay early when it can still be treated without redoing the crown.

How do I care for a dental bridge long-term?

The pontic (artificial tooth in the middle) traps food underneath because it sits on the gum without an actual tooth. Use a floss threader or Super Floss to slide regular floss under the pontic daily — this is the single most important habit for bridge longevity. A water flosser (Waterpik on medium pressure) speeds it up. Proxy brushes for larger spaces. The hygienist demonstrates the right technique at your bridge follow-up. Without underneath-the-pontic cleaning, gum disease and decay at the anchor crowns is almost inevitable.

Are dental crowns covered by Oregon dental insurance?

Most Oregon PPO plans (Delta Dental, Moda, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian) cover crowns at 50% under the major restorative benefit after deductible, with annual maximums typically $1,500-$2,000. So a $1,200 crown might run you $400-$600 out of pocket after insurance. Crowns following root canal therapy are usually covered. Cosmetic-only crowns (e.g., for color) are not. Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers crowns for medically necessary cases. We verify benefits and provide a written estimate before any work begins.

East Wind Dental Care — Your Hillsboro Crown and Bridge Office

Office Location: 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: (503) 614-0198

Restore Your Smile — Often in One Visit

Same-day CEREC crowns, traditional lab crowns, bridges, implant-supported bridges. Call (503) 614-0198.

Call (503) 614-0198

From Our Dental Library

• Dental Crown Cost in Hillsboro: Complete Pricing Guide — CEREC, lab, zirconia, and gold crown costs compared with insurance and financing options
• Crown vs. Bridge: Which Tooth Replacement Is Right for You? — When to restore a damaged tooth with a crown vs. bridge a gap
• CEREC vs. Traditional Crowns: What's the Difference?
• Inlays vs. Onlays vs. Fillings: Which Is Right for You?
• How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
• How Long Does a Dental Crown Take?
• Dental Bridges vs. Implants: A Side-by-Side Comparison
• How to Care for Your Dental Crown: A Complete Maintenance Guide — Cleaning techniques, foods to avoid, and how to make your crown last 15+ years

Reviewed by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD, FAGD | East Wind Dental Care, Hillsboro, OR | Last medically reviewed: 2026-05-05 | Book a consultation

> Dr. Ostovar leads East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro, which has served the community since 2006. He holds Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), a credential held by fewer than 7% of general dentists in the U.S.

Written by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD

Doctor of Dental Medicine | 15+ Years Experience

Last updated: May 14, 2026