A dental crown is a custom-made, tooth-shaped cap that fits over your existing tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. This versatile dental restoration completely encases the visible portion of your tooth above the gumline, providing protection while maintaining functionality. Dental crowns provide an effective solution for teeth damaged by decay, injury, or wear, enabling you to maintain your natural smile and proper bite alignment.
At JAX Dental Studio, our dental crown service provides solutions for damaged or weakened teeth. We provide high-quality dental crowns crafted from premium materials to ensure both aesthetic appeal and long-term durability. Our dental team takes precise measurements and impressions to create crowns that fit comfortably and blend naturally with your existing teeth. We understand each patient’s needs are unique, which is why we offer personalized treatment plans designed to address your specific dental concerns.
Dental crowns serve multiple purposes in restorative dentistry, addressing both functional and cosmetic concerns. Understanding when a crown may be necessary can help you make informed decisions about your oral health care.
Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth needs significant reinforcement or protection that a smaller restoration, like a filling, cannot provide. These situations often arise from severe decay, fractures, or previous dental work that has weakened the tooth structure. A dental crown may be recommended in the following situations:
Protecting a weak tooth from breaking or holding together parts of a cracked tooth
Restoring a tooth that is already broken or severely worn down
Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling when not enough natural tooth remains
Holding a dental bridge in place
Covering misshapen or severely discolored teeth
Covering a dental implant
Protecting a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment
Each of these scenarios requires the comprehensive protection that only a full-coverage restoration like a crown can provide. During your consultation, we’ll thoroughly examine your teeth and discuss whether a crown is the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
Modern dentistry offers several types of crown materials, each with distinct advantages. The material choice for your crown will depend on factors such as the tooth’s location, your personal preferences, functional requirements, and aesthetic considerations.
Typically made from gold alloy or base metal alloys, these types of dental crowns offer exceptional durability and minimal wear on opposing teeth. Their strength makes them ideal for molars that endure significant chewing forces. However, their metallic color means they’re usually reserved for back teeth, where appearance is less of a concern.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns deliver the most natural-looking results, making them popular choices for front teeth. Modern ceramic materials have improved significantly in strength, though they may not be as durable as metal options for back teeth under heavy chewing pressure.
Zirconia crowns represent one of the latest advancements in dental materials. This crystal-clear ceramic offers exceptional strength comparable to metal while providing excellent aesthetics. Zirconia resists chipping and cracking, makes minimal contact with opposing teeth, and can be precisely matched to your natural tooth color.
Our team of dental professionals can help you learn more about the crown options available to you and will help you make a guided decision on the best option for your unique smile!
Getting a dental crown typically requires two appointments, though same-day options may be available with new advanced technology. Understanding the process can help ease any anxiety about the procedure and ensure you feel comfortable moving forward! The steps involved with the dental crown procedure include the following:
During your first appointment, we’ll evaluate your tooth and surrounding structures using visual examination and X-rays. This helps us determine whether a crown is necessary and what type would best suit your needs. We’ll discuss material options, associated costs, and your treatment timeline.
To prepare your tooth for a crown, we need to reshape it to create space for the restoration. Using local anesthesia to ensure your comfort, we carefully remove a small amount of tooth structure from the top and sides. If your tooth has significant damage or decay, we may need to build up the core with filling material to create a solid foundation for your crown.
After reshaping, we take precise impressions of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These impressions serve as the blueprint for your custom crown, ensuring proper fit and bite alignment. We also record your tooth color to match the crown to your natural teeth, especially important for front tooth restorations. Before you leave, we place a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth while your permanent crown is being fabricated. This temporary restoration maintains spacing and provides functionality, though it’s designed to be replaced within a few weeks.
When your permanent crown is ready, you’ll return for a second appointment. We begin by removing the temporary crown and cleaning the prepared tooth. Then we place the permanent crown to check its fit, margin adaptation, color match, and bite relationship.
Minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure proper fit and comfort. Once both you and your dentist are satisfied with the crown’s appearance and function, we permanently cement it in place. A special bonding agent creates a strong seal that helps prevent bacteria from entering beneath the crown. After placement, we provide detailed care instructions to help maintain your new restoration. With proper care, your dental crown can provide many years of functional and aesthetic benefits.
Though crowns are resistant to decay, the tooth underneath remains susceptible to gum disease and cavities, particularly around the crown margins. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for prolonging the life of your restoration. Some tips to maintain the overall health and appearance of your dental crown include the following:
Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to the area where the crown meets your gumline.
Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth and around crown margins.
Use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria that could lead to gum disease.
Avoid biting hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails that could damage your crown.
If you grind or clench your teeth, ask about a nightguard to protect both your natural teeth and restorations from excessive force.
Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor the condition of your crown and address any issues before they become serious problems. It is also important that you receive professional cleanings to help maintain gum health around crowned teeth, further extending the life of your restoration. To learn more about dental crowns and whether they may be the best option for your smile, contact us today!
At JAX Dental Studio, we take pride in providing exceptional crown restorations that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while delivering reliable functionality. Our dental team stays current with the latest advances in dental materials and techniques through continuing education beyond state requirements, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care.
We understand dental procedures can cause anxiety for many patients, which is why we prioritize your comfort throughout the process. From thorough explanations of each step to gentle techniques and amenities that help you relax, we’re committed to making your crown procedure a positive experience. For more information about dental crowns or to schedule a consultation, call us at (904) 396-4091 or use our contact form.
Ceramic crowns are popular for their natural appearance and are often used for front teeth since they can be color-matched to your smile. Metal crowns, including stainless steel crowns, offer excellent durability and are typically placed on back teeth that endure more chewing pressure. While ceramic options are more aesthetic, metal crowns may last longer and are less likely to chip. Both options are crafted in a dental lab and have their place depending on your needs and priorities.
A temporary crown is used to protect your prepared tooth between visits while your final restoration is being made in a dental lab. This temporary crown maintains the spacing of your other teeth, protects a decayed tooth from further damage, and helps ensure your bite stays aligned. Though not as strong as the final version, it offers enough durability to function for a few weeks. Once your permanent crown is ready, the temporary one is removed and replaced.
Yes, dental crowns are often used to restore a broken tooth by covering and protecting the remaining structure. If you have a missing tooth, a crown may be used in combination with a dental implant or as part of a dental bridge to fill the gap. This protects your other teeth from shifting and helps maintain proper bite function. The American Dental Association recommends addressing missing teeth promptly to preserve oral health and prevent jawbone deterioration.
Stainless steel crowns are often used as a temporary or pediatric solution, particularly for children with a decayed tooth. While not typically chosen for adult permanent use due to their metallic appearance, they are highly durable and resistant to corrosion. They’re made in advance and fitted to the tooth quickly, making them convenient. According to the American Dental Association, stainless steel crowns are safe and widely used in both temporary and specific long-term cases.
After receiving a crown, especially near the gum line, it’s essential to monitor for signs of irritation, inflammation, or decay around the margin. Brush carefully at the gum line to prevent buildup that can lead to cavities or gum disease. If a temporary crown was recently placed, be extra cautious until your permanent one is bonded. The American Dental Association advises keeping up with regular dental cleanings to prevent issues around crowned teeth and support long-term health.
Dental crowns are also referred to as “caps” because they cap the existing tooth structure in order to restore it.
To begin, your mouth must be cleaned and numbed to prepare for the removal of decayed and damaged enamel. If available and appropriate for your procedure, your dentist may also provide you with sedation.
After your mouth is completely numb and has been thoroughly cleaned, your dentist will use a dental drill to remove decayed enamel and reshape your tooth in preparation for your crown placement.
Once your tooth has been trimmed and prepared for a crown, your dentist will use dental putty and trays or a 3D scanner to take impressions or scans of your teeth, which will be used to build your permanent crown.
In addition to impressions or scans, your dentist will take pictures of your teeth to ensure that your crown matches your existing teeth perfectly. Thanks to color matching, your porcelain crown will look just like a natural tooth.
After the impressions, scans, and images of your teeth are taken, your dentist will send this information to a dental lab where your crown will be built from durable porcelain ceramic. This process takes a few weeks, but lab-made crowns typically are the most long-lasting and comfortable type of dental crown.
Because your crown won’t be ready for a few weeks, your dentist will attach a temporary resin crown to protect your newly-trimmed tooth until your permanent crown can be placed.
After your crown arrives at your dentist’s office, you’ll come back for your fitting and placement appointment. Your dentist will examine the crown to make sure it fits comfortably. Minor adjustments can be made at this time.
After final adjustments, your dentist will use a powerful dental cement to bond your crown into place permanently, restoring your smile and your bite.
Lab-made crowns are manufactured by experienced technicians at dental labs that specialize in building dental prostheses. Your dentist will take impressions, scans, and photos of your teeth, which will be sent directly to the lab.
Using an advanced manufacturing process, your crowns will be built out of durable ceramic and metal materials, and sent back to your dentist for the final fitting and placement. Lab-made crowns look and feel very natural, and are usually the most long-lasting and durable type of crown.
Stainless steel crowns are typically used to restore baby or primary teeth in children
Most commonly, dental crowns are used to protect and restore teeth that have been damaged by a serious cavity, or that have been cracked or broken by dental trauma, like an accident or injury. Because crowns cover up and protect your entire tooth structure, they are ideal for preventing further complications and restoring the shape, appearance, and function of damaged teeth.
Dental crowns are also used to cover up and protect teeth after root canal treatment. In more rare cases, they may also be used for cosmetic dentistry if other treatments like veneers and dental bonding are not appropriate.
If you have a damaged or severely decayed tooth, you may need a dental crown. You should see your dentist if you are experiencing tooth pain and discomfort, or if your teeth are visibly damaged or discolored. Depending on the cause of your dental issues, they may recommend a dental crown or another restorative treatment.
A well-made and properly placed dental crown will typically last up to 15 years. It’s critical to maintain good oral health habits to enhance your crown’s longevity. These practices include brushing twice per day, flossing once per day, and seeing your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and exam. Same-day crowns can be a little less durable, but they can still last several years with proper care.
You can treat your dental crown just like a natural tooth. Make sure you brush twice a day for at least two minutes, ensuring you scrub the full surface of every tooth. You should floss at least once per day, preferably at night. This should only take a few minutes, but be sure to floss against the tooth and below the gum line. You should also see your dentist every six months for a check-up to make sure that your dental work and teeth are healthy.
Dental crowns that are required for restorative purposes, such as severe cavities or a broken tooth, are typically covered by insurance. The exact amount of coverage you receive will depend on the deductible and yearly limits of your policy.
If you require a crown for cosmetic purposes, such as covering up a discolored tooth, the procedure may not be covered by insurance. To make sure your procedure is covered, we recommend consulting with your insurer.
When properly placed and with good oral hygiene habits, dental crowns can last up to 15 years.
