Services
Crowns & Bridges
PFM, monolithic and layered zirconia, e.max, and gold crowns — single units and multi-unit bridges, hand-waxed and hand-finished by the same technician every time.
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## Crowns we make
Choose the right restoration for the case — every restoration is hand-crafted and finished by the owner of the lab:
- **Monolithic zirconia crowns** — high-strength, ideal for posterior crowns and bridges. KATANA, Argen, Zirkonzahn.
- **Layered zirconia crowns** — natural anterior esthetics with the strength of zirconia underneath.
- **Lithium disilicate (e.max) crowns** — pressed and hand-stained or layered for beautiful anteriors and bicuspids.
- **PFM crowns** — the classic, when an insurance code or long-span bridge calls for it. Noble and high-noble alloys.
- **Full-cast gold crowns** — yes, we still do them when you ask.
## Bridges we make
- Single posterior bridges (3–4 units) in zirconia, e.max, or PFM
- Anterior multi-unit zirconia bridges with layered esthetics
- **Maryland bridges** for conservative anterior replacement
- Long-span PFM bridges with proven alloy frameworks
- Implant-retained fixed bridges (see [Implant Restorations](/services/implant-restorations/))
## Why hand-crafted, owner-fabrication matters
Small misses on a crown or bridge compound at try-in — open contacts, occlusal interferences, marginal gaps, off-shade restorations. Because every case at Northwest Dental Studio is handled by the owner — hand-waxed, hand-finished, and hand-stained — those details get the attention they deserve:
- **Marginal fit.** Hand-trimmed dies, hand-verified margins, model-checked before it ships.
- **Contacts and occlusion.** Articulator-checked. Your assistant shouldn't need to spend ten minutes adjusting.
- **Shade.** Send VITA tabs, intraoral photos, or both. For tough anteriors, we're happy to do a shade visit.
## Turnaround
Standard in-lab time is **7–10 working days** for single-unit and short-span fixed cases. Multi-unit anterior cases with stick-bite or smile-design work may run 10–14 days. Rush turnaround is available — tell us the seat date.
## What we need from you
- PVS impression with full margin capture
- Opposing arch impression and centric bite registration
- Shade — VITA tab plus intraoral photos for anteriors
- Prep notes and any patient considerations
## Crown & bridge FAQs
What types of crowns do you make?
We make all-ceramic crowns (e.max / lithium disilicate), monolithic zirconia crowns, layered zirconia crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns with noble and high-noble alloys, and full-cast gold crowns. We also make zirconia and e.max bridges, Maryland bridges, and PFM bridges.
What zirconia brands do you use?
We default to KATANA STML and YML for esthetic anterior cases and Argen Z HT+ for posterior strength. Other brands available on request — just tell us what you'd like.
How long does a crown or bridge take?
Standard in-lab time is 7 to 10 working days for single-unit and short-span fixed bridge cases. Multi-unit anterior cases may run 10 to 14 days. Rush turnaround is available — tell us the seat date when you send the case.
What impression material do you prefer?
A clean, accurate PVS impression with full margin capture works best. Send the opposing arch and a centric bite registration with every case.
What about smile design for anterior cases?
For anterior cosmetic cases we can produce a diagnostic wax-up on a mounted study model so you and the patient can preview the design before final prep.