Losing a tooth is natural and expected in children who have yet to develop permanent teeth. But when you’re an adult, a missing tooth, or one that is chipped or discolored, is a more significant concern. 

When you have missing or weak teeth, you may experience difficulty eating and speaking clearly. Meanwhile, stains and damage can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. 

Restorative dentistry offers a long-lasting solution to missing or damaged teeth: dental crowns. 

This guide answers commonly asked questions about the dental crown procedure, from how they’re placed to how long they last, so you can decide whether they’re right for you. 

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that fits over a damaged or stained tooth to restore its appearance and strength. Dentists often recommend crowns when a tooth is too weak for a filling or when it needs protection after a root canal. Crowns are also used to hold a dental bridge in place or to top off a dental implant.

Dental crowns are cemented into place. They are designed to look and function like your natural teeth, allowing you to bite, chew, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. 

When Is a Crown Needed?

Crowns are used for both restorative and cosmetic reasons. Your dentist might suggest one if you have:

• A large cavity that can’t be repaired with a filling
• A cracked or severely worn-down tooth
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A missing tooth to be replaced by a bridge or an implant
• A tooth that is discolored or misshapen

Types of Dental Crowns

Crowns come in several materials. Your dentist will help you choose based on the location of the tooth, your budget, and your preferences.

Zirconia

This material is incredibly popular for dental crowns because of its strength and durability. Even though they can be made as thin as natural teeth, they’re strong enough to replace molars. At the same time, they can be shaded to match the color of your existing teeth for a natural-looking, attractive smile. 

Other advantages of zirconia include: 

• Biocompatibility: Studies show that zirconia is highly biocompatible, which means it’s unlikely to cause irritation or inflammation. 
• Same-Day Installation: Zirconia crowns can be made in your dentist’s office and placed in just one visit, unlike other materials that require a dental lab and multiple appointments. 
• Longevity: Studies show that zirconia crowns can last as long as metal-based crowns. 

Porcelain-Based Ceramic 

This material is among the most commonly used because it can be easily color-matched for a natural look. However, it is more prone to chipping and breaking than zirconia and metal crowns. It is therefore used to replace front teeth and is not typically recommended for back teeth. 

Metal

Gold and other metal alloys are very strong and long-lasting. They’re usually used for molars that aren’t visible when you smile.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) 

These combine the strength of metal with the natural look of porcelain. However, the metal may show as a dark line near the gum.

Resin

Made from a fine glass and plastic mixture, resin crowns typically cost less than other crown materials. The downside is they’re quite fragile. They wear down faster and are more prone to fractures.

The Dental Crown Procedure: What To Expect

Getting a dental crown usually involves at least two appointments. That is, unless your dentist offers same-day placement, which is more common with zirconia crowns.

Traditional Timeline

For most crown materials, the dental crown procedure starts with an initial visit. Your dentist will examine the tooth, take X-rays if necessary, and shape the tooth to make room for the crown. 

They’ll then take an impression or digital scan and place a temporary crown to protect the area. 

Your permanent crown is made at a dental lab and typically ready within two weeks. During the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent one is checked for fit and cemented in place.

Faster Option With Zirconia

Offices equipped with Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) or similar CAD/CAM systems can complete the entire process in one day. After preparing the tooth and scanning it digitally, the crown is designed on a computer and made right in the office. The final crown is then adjusted and cemented — no temporary crown needed, and no second visit required.

This option isn’t available everywhere, but when it is, it’s a quick and convenient way to restore a damaged tooth.

Restore Your Smile With the Help of Only Crowns

At Only Crowns in Sandy, Utah, dental crowns are our sole focus. Our doctors have completed hundreds of hours in specialized training and served thousands of patients. 

Here are just a few of the many reasons patients throughout the Wasatch Front region choose us: 

• Unmatched Lifetime Warranty: We stand behind the quality of our work. In the unlikely event your crown comes off or becomes chipped, we will replace or rebond it at no cost. 
• All-Inclusive Pricing: One flat rate includes the crown, tooth build-up (if needed), limited exam, X-ray, and nitrous oxide. There are no surprises, just quality crowns at half the price of our competitors. 
• Same-Day Crowns: Using CEREC technology and zirconia materials, we design, mill, and place your crown in a single visit.

Bring back the beauty of your smile. Schedule an appointment with Only Crowns today!