Toothaches range from nagging to intolerable, and they usually happen when you least expect them. If you’ve cracked a tooth, a tooth crown can alleviate your pain and reinforce the tooth’s structure. However, crowns have many applications. We’ll review them in today’s blog.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency–an acute, nagging toothache that won’t allow you to work or sleep–call Metro Dental Care of Denver today at 303.534.2626. Our dentists will help you get out of pain ASAP.

Now, let’s talk about tooth crowns, also called dental crowns or caps.

Your Goals Achieved

At your initial consultation, your Metro Dental Care dentist will discuss your concerns and priorities. What’s your main goal with a dental crown?

  • To get out of pain
  • To replace metal crowns with white crowns
  • To restore a failing, leaking filling
  • To get a new restoration

After a thorough oral exam and x-rays, the dentist can present his or her findings and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Indications for a Crown

Teeth have two primary parts: the crown and the root. Dental crowns cover the part of a tooth you can see above the gumline, which is also called the tooth crown. Because they cover the entire natural tooth crown, a restorative dental crown provides significant reinforcement of tooth structure.

If you’re experiencing a toothache and/or bad breath, you may need a crown.

A dental crown can::

  • Restore a cracked or chipped tooth
  • Cover permanently stained front teeth
  • Reshape a small or malformed tooth
  • Restore a tooth with a large cavity
  • Build up worn molars to restore good occlusion
  • Restore a tooth with a large, failed filling
  • Anchor a bridge
  • Top a dental implant
  • To complete root canal therapy

Tooth Crown Procedure

Expect two clinical appointments to complete your crown procedure. At the first visit, the dentist will remove any existing dental work in the affected tooth. Your dentist will then prepare the damaged tooth and remove any decay. We will take impressions and a shade-matching measurement for the dental lab. You’ll wear a temporary crown while a ceramist fabricates your permanent restoration.

In a week or two, you’ll return to our office. The dentist will remove your temporary and permanently cement the final tooth crown in place. After checking your occlusion and making adjustments if necessary, the dentist will give you a mirror so that you can inspect your new restoration.

Types of Crowns

Dental crowns can be all white or metal. The material your dentist recommends will be based on your preference, the location of the crown in your mouth, and your budget or insurance. We place crowns made of:

  • Ceramic (porcelain)
  • Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
  • Precious metal
  • Stainless steel
  • Zirconia

Note that dental insurance won’t always pay for white fillings and crowns. If you prefer white crowns and your insurance only pays a portion of metal restorations, our financial coordinator will adjust your bill so that you pay the difference in cost. Ask us about low and no interest financing options if you’d like to make monthly payments on your treatment plan.

Restore Your Smile with a Ceramic Dental, or Tooth, Crown

Call 303.534.2626 today to schedule an exam and consultation with one of our talented, experienced Denver dentists. If you’ve been advised of a treatment plan at another dental office and you’d like a second opinion, we’re happy to help.