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.
Why Get Crowns?
We take x-rays and examine your tooth to determine if a crown is the right solution to your dental problem. We will discuss this option with you, detailing the pros and cons of each type of crown before you make the decision to get a crown. Some of the reasons we might recommend a crown include:
- 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
Several types of crowns are available to you from your West Metro dentist. They include:
- 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 – 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 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 decayed 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.