Restorative
Crowns & bridges
A crown caps and protects a tooth that’s broken down or root-treated; a bridge fills a gap by anchoring to the teeth on either side. Both rebuild teeth so they look natural and stand up to everyday chewing.
Families across Truganina, Mt Atkinson, Werribee, Laverton and the rest of Melbourne’s west choose us for their crowns and bridges.
Banksia pod — strong and protective, built to endure and shield what’s inside.
Two ways to rebuild a tooth
Crowns and bridges do related jobs — one protects a weakened tooth, the other replaces a missing one. Both are custom-made to match the shape and shade of your own teeth.
Crown
A tailored cap that covers a tooth which is cracked, heavily filled or root-treated — restoring its strength and shape so it works and looks like the original.
Bridge
Replaces a missing tooth by joining to the healthy teeth either side of the gap. A fixed option that doesn’t come out, where an implant isn’t chosen.
Honest first: a crown is a bigger step than a filling, so we only recommend one where the tooth genuinely needs that protection. Where a simpler repair will last, we’ll do that instead.
When a crown or bridge helps
These restorations come into their own when a tooth is too broken down for a filling, or a gap needs closing. It may be worth discussing if you recognise any of these:
A cracked or heavily filled tooth
A tooth held together by a large old filling is at risk of splitting — a crown wraps and protects it before that happens.
After a root canal
Root-treated back teeth become brittle and usually need a crown to keep them from fracturing under chewing.
A missing tooth between healthy teeth
A bridge can close the gap using the neighbours for support, restoring your bite and smile without surgery.
The tooth or teeth involved need to be healthy underneath. If there’s decay or gum disease we’ll sort that first, so the restoration is built on something solid.
What to expect
Most crowns and bridges take two visits, with a 3D scan meaning the fit is planned precisely rather than guessed.
- 1Step one
Assessment & 3D scan
We check the tooth is sound underneath, scan it in 3D, and plan the restoration — then give you the cost in writing before starting.
- 2Step two
Prepare & impression
The tooth is shaped to take the crown or bridge and a precise digital impression is taken, so the fit matches your bite.
- 3Step three
Temporary cover
You leave with a temporary crown protecting the tooth while your custom restoration is made to match your own teeth.
- 4Step four
Fit the final
We check the shade, shape and bite of the finished crown or bridge, bond it in place, and make sure it feels like your own tooth.
What it costs
A crown or bridge is priced by the tooth and the material chosen. As always you’ll have a written quote after we’ve assessed the tooth, before any work begins — and we’ll flag if a simpler repair would do.
Health fund rebates
All major Australian funds accepted and claimed on the spot through HICAPS — you settle only the gap.
Interest-free options
Larger treatment can be spread over time rather than paid upfront — just ask.
No surprise additions
Your quote covers the plan agreed. If something changes clinically, we discuss it before it affects the cost.
Benefits
Why consider it
- A crown can rebuild and protect a heavily damaged or root-treated tooth.
- A bridge can span a gap using the teeth on either side for support.
- Designed to restore the shape, function and appearance of teeth.
- Custom made to blend with your surrounding teeth.
Recovery
Aftercare & recovery
A temporary crown or bridge may be fitted first, so take extra care until the final one is cemented.
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold can occur for a short time.
- Avoid very hard or sticky foods, especially with a temporary in place.
- Brush gently and clean carefully around the crown or bridge margins.
- Use floss or interdental brushes under a bridge as your dentist shows you.
- Contact the clinic if your bite feels uneven or the restoration feels loose.
General guidance only — your dentist will give you instructions specific to your treatment and circumstances.
Meet your dentist
Dr Sumaiya Pathan
Dr Sumaiya Pathan brings more than 10 years of Australian clinical experience, having cared for patients across both metropolitan and regional communities — from Sydney to Broken Hill and across metropolitan Melbourne. That range matters: it teaches you to be thorough, and to treat the person rather than just the tooth.
She provides the full range of general and cosmetic dental treatments, and is known for a gentle, unhurried approach — taking the time to explain every option clearly, including the option to wait where that is clinically reasonable.
Cover & claiming
We accept all major health funds
We’re a HICAPS practice, so you claim on the spot and settle only the gap on the day. Allura Dental is also a participating nib No Gap dentist and First Choice provider, for eligible nib Extras members. That makes Allura Dental an nib preferred provider for dental, so an nib Extras policy goes further here. Eligible children can be bulk-billed under Medicare’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), and interest-free payment options are available.
… and every other Australian fund.
Reviews
See what our patients say
We let our patients speak for themselves — read their unedited reviews on Google.
In line with AHPRA advertising guidelines, we don’t publish ratings or reproduce reviews about clinical treatment on our own site.
Questions
Crowns & Bridges FAQs
What’s the difference between a crown and a filling?
A filling replaces a small part of a tooth; a crown caps the whole tooth. When a tooth is cracked, root-treated, or held together by a large old filling, a filling isn’t enough — a crown wraps and protects what’s left so it doesn’t split. We’ll only recommend a crown where the tooth genuinely needs that protection.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
Well looked after, many years — often well over a decade. They’re not indestructible, so daily cleaning (including under a bridge) and regular check-ups make the difference. We’ll show you exactly how to keep yours clean.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed, so the appointment itself is comfortable. There can be some sensitivity for a few days afterwards, which settles. If a tooth was already painful, a crown usually makes it feel better, not worse.
Are crowns tooth-coloured or metal?
We use tooth-coloured crowns matched to your own teeth for a natural look, especially on front teeth. There are different materials with different strengths — we’ll explain which suits the tooth and why.
Should I choose a bridge or an implant for a gap?
Both are good fixed options with different trade-offs. A bridge uses the neighbouring teeth for support and is usually quicker; an implant stands alone and leaves those teeth untouched. We’ll talk you through which fits your case, your bone and your budget.
Does my health fund cover crowns and bridges?
Most extras policies contribute, usually under a major-dental limit and sometimes a waiting period. We’ll give you a written plan with item numbers to check with your fund, and claim on the spot through HICAPS.
Related
You may also be considering
Dental Implants
The alternative to a bridge for replacing a missing tooth without touching its neighbours.
On-site 3D Imaging
The scanning that makes a precise fit possible in the same visit.
Teeth Whitening
Best done before a crown, so the new tooth is matched to your brighter shade.
Cost & Pricing
How our fees work, health-fund claiming and interest-free options.
This page is general information, not dental advice. Individual suitability — and the results achievable in your case — can only be assessed by a registered dentist in person. Outcomes vary between patients.
Find us
Visit us in Truganina
22 Bradshaw Street, Truganina VIC 3029 · on-site parking · Get directions →
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Ready when you are.
A consultation, an honest assessment, and a clear price before anything begins — book online, call, or send us a message.