A crown is like a cap that fits over your natural tooth, providing strength and improving appearance. Dental crowns are a common solution for restoring damaged teeth, enhancing both function and aesthetics. Whether you need a crown due to decay, a fracture, or simply to improve your smile, understanding the procedure, costs, and what to expect can help you make an informed decision. For more information on our comprehensive range of tooth replacement care, visit our dental services page.
Reasons Your Dentist Might Recommend Dental Crowns
There are a number of reasons why your dentist might recommend this option for you:
- Covering a damaged or chipped tooth: Crowns provide a durable solution to restore the appearance and function of your tooth.
- Supporting a tooth with extensive fillings or root canal treatment: They reinforce and protect teeth that have undergone significant dental work. Discover how our affordable dental crowns support teeth after root canal treatments.
- In combination with dental implants: The crown serves as the visible part of the implant above the gum line, seamlessly integrating with your natural teeth.
- As part of a dental bridge: Crowns on either side of a missing tooth act as anchors, with a false tooth in between to fill the gap and restore your smile.
- Cosmetic enhancements: Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of your teeth, such as reducing the visibility of gaps.
Getting Your Crown Fitted
On the day of your appointment, your dentist will assess the tooth’s condition and prepare it for the crown. A local anesthetic will be administered so the process is painless. If you experience dental anxiety, you might want to explore our sedation dentistry options to ensure a completely comfortable experience. The dentist will then reshape your tooth to accommodate the crown.
In the next few days, your tooth may feel sensitive or slightly painful, due to having been filed down. If this feeling lasts more than 2 weeks, or becomes very painful, contact your dentist and let them know.
As part of the procedure, you will sometimes be given a temporary crown to wear for 2-3 weeks while your permanent crown is being made. A temporary crown is not as durable so avoid chewy or hard foods, and floss carefully during this period.
When you return to the dentist for your permanent crown, it will be carefully fitted and permanently cemented in place.
In some cases, a same-day crown fitting is possible. Digital imaging allows the dentist to create a 3D model of the crown, which can be printed and fitted on-site during your initial appointment.
Types Of Permanent Crowns
PFM Crown
One of the most common types of crowns is the PFM (porcelain fused to metal) crown. It consists of two layers: a metal layer for strength and durability, with porcelain on top for a more natural, tooth-like appearance.
Metal Crown
These crowns are very strong and durable, making them ideal for use on molars at the back of the mouth. They are not often used at the front of the mouth because the color of this material does not lend as natural an appearance as others.
Porcelain Or Ceramic Crown
Fully porcelain and ceramic crowns look very natural - a range of different types of material are used to produce these. Explore our dental implants to see how they can be paired with porcelain crowns for a complete smile restoration. Ready to enhance your smile? Learn more about our affordable dental implants and schedule your consultation today.
Zirconia Crown
A fairly recent innovation in the world of dentistry, zirconia is one of the more expensive options for your crown. It has a natural appearance and is also very durable and strong. Like metal, it can also be layered with porcelain to further improve its appearance.
Taking Care Of Your New Crown
A well-maintained crown should last approximately 10-15 years. To ensure its longevity, brush twice a day, and use dental floss and mouthwash, just as you would with your natural teeth. For detailed instructions, see our guide on how to floss your teeth to keep your crown and natural teeth healthy.
While a permanent crown is much stronger than a temporary crown, some people prefer to avoid very chewy foods like taffy to protect their crown. However, your crown should be strong enough for you to enjoy crunchy foods like apples. For more guidance on diet, check out our recommendations on what to eat after a dental implant procedure.
Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, can damage your new crown, especially crowns made from less strong materials like ceramic or porcelain. Alternatively, if your new crown is made of very strong material like metal, grinding or clenching your teeth could actually cause your crown to wear down the natural teeth around it.
Several options are available to reduce bruxism. Wearing a mouthguard at night can be effective. Smoking and drinking coffee can increase the likelihood of teeth grinding, so if you are experiencing this symptom it may help to cut down on your use of tobacco or caffeine.
If you notice a gray line next to your crown along your gum line, this is not an indication of poor care. This can naturally happen with PFM crowns after a number of years, as the porcelain layer over the metal layer can become visible when gums recede with age. While there are no health risks associated with this, many people choose to get their crown replaced, especially if it is very visible and affects their confidence. If you're missing multiple teeth, we can help restore your smile and confidence with our multiple or single tooth implants for a complete and affordable solution.
If you experience pain when biting down with your new crown, it may not have been fitted properly. Let your dentist know and they will make the necessary adjustments to the placement. However, if an older crown starts causing pain, it could indicate decay or infection in the tooth. Make an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation, as you may need a filling and a new crown.
What To Do If A Crown Falls Out
If you experience any issues with your crown, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, so that it can be replaced to protect the tooth underneath.
If your crown breaks, it could create a jagged edge that could hurt the inside of your mouth. If your crown falls out, contact your dentist and keep the crown. If it is in good enough condition, it can be refitted.
While waiting to see your dentist, cover your exposed tooth or the rough edges of the broken crown with dental wax from the drugstore. Your natural tooth will be more vulnerable to decay and may feel sensitive, so avoid eating on that side of your mouth until your crown has been replaced.
For an affordable and effective solution, consider scheduling a free consult and X-rays to evaluate your tooth replacement needs and find the best course of action.
Typical Costs Of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns can also vary depending on what type of material was used to make your crown, with PFM crowns generally being less expensive than full porcelain or zirconia crowns. Other factors that could affect the price include the location or size of the tooth, or any additional treatments required before the crown is fitted, such as a root canal.
Costs can vary across the country. Call a local Affordable Dentures & Implants practice near you and check the costs of dental crowns specific to your area.