If you have a toothache or a broken tooth, our team is here to help. Our dentists are experts in restorative dentistry and can help you restore your smile and your bite with a custom-built, comfortable dental crown. Call our office to schedule an appointment, and see if dental crowns are right for you.
What Is A Dental Crown?
Essentially, dental crowns are false teeth. They are hollow shells of porcelain that are designed to look and feel just like a natural tooth, and they will blend in with your existing teeth perfectly.
Crowns are attached permanently to your natural tooth and they cover the remaining tooth structure, all the way down to the gumline. Because they cover the remaining tooth structure, crowns are ideal for repairing severely-damaged teeth. If you have a decayed, infected, or broken tooth, a dental crown may be used in combination with other treatments like root canal therapy to restore your smile.
Crowns are also sometimes used for purely cosmetic purposes, but this is rare since other treatments like veneers and dental bonding are usually more suitable for cosmetic dental treatment.
The Dental Crown Placement Process
Getting a dental crown takes two appointments over a period of about 2-3 weeks. During your first appointment, your dentist will clean and numb the area around the tooth, then carefully remove decayed and damaged tooth material.
After your first visit, your dentist will take impressions of the tooth and send this information to our partner dental lab, where a custom-built dental crown will be made. This crown will look and feel just like a natural tooth. In the meantime, you’ll be sent home with a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
In a few weeks, your permanent crown will arrive, and you’ll come in for your second and last appointment. Your dentist will remove your temporary crown, check the fit of your permanent crown, then bond it into place, completing the procedure.
How Long Does A Crown Last?
Dental crowns usually last between 10-20 years, but it’s not uncommon for crowns to last 20+ years. To keep your crown healthy, you must maintain good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and see your dentist for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months.
Does It Hurt To Get A Crown?
Placing a dental crown is not painful. Your mouth will be completely numb during the process, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the crown preparation process. It will be totally pain-free.
We even offer sedation dentistry to our patients. If you’re nervous about your upcoming crown appointment at our office, sedation can help you feel more relaxed and ensure you feel absolutely no discomfort during your treatment.
What’s the Difference Between Veneers & Crowns?
Veneers: They are primarily used for cosmetic purposes—fixing discoloration, tooth shape, minor misalignment, and chips. They are ultra-thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. Veneers require minimal tooth preparation, meaning we remove only a tiny layer of enamel before bonding them in place. This makes them a great option for patients with healthy teeth who want to enhance their smile.
Crowns: They are restorative. A crown, sometimes called a ‘cap,’ completely covers the entire tooth, not just the front. It’s typically used when a tooth is weak, damaged, or has undergone significant decay or a root canal. Unlike veneers, crowns require more preparation since the tooth must be reshaped to fit the crown securely. But in return, they provide strength, protection, and durability.
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Crown & Bridge Post-Op Instructions
Click to Download Post-Op Instructions Document
While you are numb be careful not to bite your cheek, tongue, or your lip. You may want to avoid chewing on this area especially hot foods and liquids until the numbing completely wears off. Some irritation of the gum tissue along with the anesthetic injection site may result in some soreness for a few days.
Temporary Crown Or Bridge
- You have just received a temporary that will serve you for a short period of time while your custom permanent crown or bridge is being made. This will protect the tooth and hold the tooth in position so the permanent crown or bridge will fit properly.
- The size, shape, and color of the temporary may differ from the permanent crown or bridge.
- Your temporary is not strong. It may break or come off occasionally. Avoid chewing hard or sticky food on your temporary.
- Temporary cement is used so that the temporary can be easily removed at your next appointment. If your temporary comes off between appointments, call us to have it re-cemented.
- Brush softly and floss carefully around your temporary. When flossing around your temporary, slide the floss out between your teeth rather than snapping it up between the teeth. It is important that the gum tissue remains healthy, or we may not be able to seat your new crown or bridge.
Permanent Crown Or Bridge
- Sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few weeks after cementing your crown or bridge. If sensitivity does occur, we recommend avoiding extreme temperature changes on your new crown or bridge.
- Your crown or bridge may have a different texture than your original tooth and may be contoured slightly differently. After a few days, your mouth will become completely accustomed to it.
- As with the temporary, if the bite does not feel comfortable, please contact us for a simple adjustment.
- Proper brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleaning & exams are necessary to maintain your final crown or bridge.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you believe you are in need of a dental crown, a consultation will allow our team to examine your teeth and provide you with the best recommendations for your smile. A dental crown can protect a natural tooth and save it from an extraction or further damage. To book your consultation, call our team today!