Esthetic Crowns

A dental crown can restore the functionality and appearance of a damaged or injured tooth. Our dentist can fit you for a crown and place it on the tooth to make the tooth strong for the coming years.

What are Esthetic Crowns?

Cosmetic crowns, also known as dental crowns, are tooth-shaped caps placed over teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are often used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored, misshapen, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

Why Get Crowns?

Getting dental crowns is a common procedure for various reasons. Your dentist will take an x-ray and examine your tooth to determine if a crown is the right solution to your dental problem. Here are some common reasons why people opt for dental crowns:

The tooth is too damaged to save with a filling.
The tooth is extremely weak.
You have a large filling, but the tooth still needs support.
As a part of a dental bridge procedure.
As a cosmetic procedure to cover poorly shaped teeth or discolorations.
As a part of the dental implant procedure.

Types of Crowns

Stainless steel crown – typically used for back teeth and can be fitted in one visit.
Metal crown – made of metal alloys or base metals like nickel or chromium and used for back teeth.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal – a strong, durable, and attractive tooth-colored crown that can be used on front teeth.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain – attractive, tooth-colored crown. It is not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal. Can be used for front teeth.
Zirconium or milled crown – an attractive tooth-colored crown that can be made in our office by your CEREC dentist and fitted in one visit.

The Procedure

The first step to getting a crown is always an examination of the tooth and surrounding tissues. Our dentist carefully prepares the tooth for the crown, filling it if necessary and then shaping it. If the crown is going to be made in the lab, your dentist takes impressions of the affected tooth and the teeth around it. The lab makes the crown, and then the dentist fits it and cements it in place on the next visit. For CEREC crowns, the dentist takes digital impressions instead and can fabricate your crown and insert it in one visit. For more information on this technology, see our CEREC page.

Cost of Dental Crowns

The cost of your dental crown depends largely on the type of crown you choose. After the examination, your dentist will discuss all the options with you and recommend the type of crown that would work best in your situation. Your insurance may cover the crown; it’s always best to check with your insurance company to be sure.

Caring for Your New Crown

You don’t have to treat crowned teeth any differently from the rest of your teeth. However, the teeth can become infected or decay just like any other tooth. So, it is crucial to follow good dental hygiene habits, brushing twice a day and flossing once before going to bed. Protect your crowned tooth along with the rest of your teeth by wearing a mouth guard when playing sports. If you care for your crowned tooth, the crown can last up to 15 years without further treatments.