Strong, natural-looking crowns, with same-day options for patients who qualify
A cracked, decayed or weakened tooth does not have to mean losing it. At Trinity Dental Care in North Scottsdale, Dr. Christine Fink restores damaged teeth with custom crowns that protect what is left of your natural tooth and give you back a strong, natural-looking bite. For patients who qualify, we can make and place your crown in a single visit.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a tooth to restore its strength, shape and appearance. We recommend one when a filling alone will not hold the tooth together.
When decay has taken too much of the tooth for a filling to last.
A crack that runs deep can split the tooth further. A crown holds it together.
When a filling has cracked, loosened or let decay creep back underneath.
A treated tooth can become brittle and usually needs full coverage to stay strong.
A broken cusp or heavy wear exposes the inside of the tooth and weakens your bite.
That is common, and a fair question to ask.
What that recommendation meansNot sure a crown is the right fix? You can read whether you really need one, how a crown differs from a filling, or ask for a second opinion. Wondering about a front tooth? See crown or veneer.
In many cases Dr. Fink can finish your crown in a single appointment, with no temporary crown and no waiting weeks for your smile to feel whole again. Whether that is the right plan is decided by your tooth, not by the equipment in the room.
| Compare | Same-day crown | Two-visit crown |
|---|---|---|
| Visits | One longer appointment | Two visits, usually two to three weeks apart |
| Temporary crown | None needed | Yes, until your permanent crown is ready |
| How it is made | Scanned digitally and made in our office while you wait | Scanned or measured, then made at a dental lab |
| Best suited to | Teeth with enough healthy structure, healthy gums and a material that can be made in the office | Teeth that need a build-up, have deep damage, or need a material the office cannot make |
Where we slow down on purpose: very deep decay, a fracture at the gumline, or a fresh root canal usually mean two visits. If one visit is not the right fit, we tell you before we start. Read how same-day candidacy works. Traveling soon? See how the timeline breaks down.
Not every tooth needs the same crown. During your exam, Dr. Fink recommends the material that best balances strength, appearance and the tooth’s place in your mouth.
A tooth-colored material that blends in well, often chosen where appearance matters most, such as visible teeth.
A very strong, tooth-colored material often chosen for back teeth that take heavy chewing, or for patients who grind.
A metal base for strength with a porcelain surface for a natural look.
Want the full breakdown? Read our guide to the types of dental crowns.
Here is the path most patients follow, whether your crown is made the same day or in two visits.
We look at the damaged tooth, take digital X-rays and confirm a crown is the right fit, including whether you are a candidate for a same-day crown.
Dr. Fink numbs the area with local anesthesia and gently reshapes the tooth to make room for your crown.
We scan the prepared tooth digitally and choose the color and shape that blend with your smile.
For same-day patients, your crown is made in our office while you wait. Otherwise a temporary crown protects the tooth while a lab makes your permanent one.
We check your bite and the fit, cement the crown, and walk you through simple care tips. Follow-ups make sure it is holding up well.
A crown is not one flat fee. It is a stack of steps, and any honest price depends on which of those steps your tooth actually needs:
We review your benefits and your estimate with you before treatment begins. Read how to read a crown estimate, line by line.
We verify your benefits before you commit. Many plans reset on January 1 and do not roll over, and some have a yearly maximum. How to use benefits before they expire.
Our in-house Dental Club is a membership for patients without insurance. Ask us how it can work with your treatment plan.
Did a crown just fall off? Keep it, avoid chewing on that side, and call us the same day at (480) 621-4040. We do our best to see urgent needs right away. What to do in the first 24 hours.
Dr. Christine Fink founded Trinity Dental Care and leads your care from your first exam through your final restoration. Our approach is simple: listen first, explain every option in plain English, and never rush you toward a decision. If a crown is the right answer, we will say so and show you why. If a different option fits better, we will say that too.
“Dr. Fink is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and she is an exceptional dentist!” — Annie M., Google review
Straight answers to what our patients ask most.
Trinity Dental Care is at Frank Lloyd Wright and Shea in North Scottsdale, an easy drive from McCormick Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, Paradise Heights, Taliesin West, the Shea Corridor, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale Ranch and McDowell Mountain Ranch.
Trinity Dental CareNeed to reach us outside office hours? Call (480) 621-4040 and leave a message.
We work with Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Healthspring and most PPO plans. Give us your plan details when you call and we verify your benefits before you commit, so you know what your plan may cover. Many plans reset on January 1 and do not roll over, so timing can matter. Here is how to use your benefits before they expire.
Pain is not the test. Cracks and decay under an old filling often do not hurt until they are advanced, and a crown is recommended when a filling alone will not hold the tooth together. You are entitled to understand why. Ask to see the X-ray, and ask what happens if you wait. Read what that recommendation actually means.
Yes, and it is a normal thing to ask for. Bring your written plan and, if you can, your X-rays. We do a fresh exam, check your bite, and explain what we see, whether that agrees with your first plan or not. See what a second-opinion visit involves.
For patients who qualify, yes. We scan the tooth digitally and make the crown in our office, so there is no temporary crown and no second visit. Whether you qualify is decided by your tooth, not the equipment: you need enough healthy tooth structure, healthy gums, and a material that can be made in the office. Deep decay, a fracture at the gumline or a fresh root canal usually mean two visits. If one visit is not the right fit, we tell you before we start. Read how same-day candidacy works.
A same-day crown takes one longer appointment. A traditional crown takes two visits, usually two to three weeks apart, with a temporary crown in between. Tell us your travel dates when you call, and we will plan around them and tell you what is realistic. See how the timeline breaks down.
A crown is not one flat fee. The cost depends on your exam and X-rays, whether the tooth needs a build-up or a root canal first, the material, and whether the crown is made in our office or at an outside lab. We review your benefits and your estimate with you before treatment begins. If you do not have insurance, ask us about our in-house Dental Club membership. Here is how to read a crown estimate.
We numb the tooth with local anesthesia so you are comfortable during the visit. Some sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal as your tooth adjusts. If you are nervous, tell us when you book and we will go at your pace.
A filling works for smaller areas of damage. A crown is the better choice when a tooth has a large cavity, a crack, a failed filling, or has had a root canal, because it covers and protects the whole tooth. Dr. Fink explains which one your tooth needs and why. Read the difference between a crown and a filling.
Most crowns last 10 to 15 years, and plenty last longer. That is a range, not a promise. A crown is replaced when the seal at its edge breaks down, the tooth underneath develops decay or a crack, or the fit loosens, not simply because of its age. Grinding and clenching shorten crown life, so tell us if you do either. Read what decides how long a crown lasts.
Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side, and call us the same day, even if it does not hurt. Do not use household glue. We do our best to see urgent needs right away, and a crown that has come off can often be cleaned and put back. See what to do in the first 24 hours or learn about emergency dentistry at Trinity.
Yes. Your crown is made from tooth-colored materials, and we match the shade and shape to the teeth around it. We review the color and fit with you before the crown is cemented.
Care for it like a natural tooth: brush and floss daily, and keep your regular cleanings so we can check the seal at its edge. The tooth underneath can still get decay, so the area around the crown needs attention. Whitening products do not change the color of a crown. Read about whitening when you have crowns.
Call Trinity Dental Care or request a consultation online. We will check your tooth, explain your options, and tell you whether a same-day crown is right for you.
