Dental Crown Services

A crown, also called a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. The cap fits over your existing tooth for a secure fit and natural look. Crowns are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged, weak or broken, replace missing teeth, and protect your teeth from wear and tear. A crown not only strengthens the tooth, but it can also dramatically improve the tooth's appearance, shape and alignment.

Smile Crafters offers dental crown services to improve your oral health and enhance your smile. We'll ensure you get the care you need — we have weekend and same-day appointments for your convenience.

Types of Crowns

We use many types of dental crowns based on your oral health needs, including:

• Metal: Metals like nickel, chromium, gold and palladium make durable crown materials. They can withstand chewing and biting and rarely break or chip. Metal crowns are often used for molars and can last for a long time.
• Porcelain fused to metal (PFM): PFM crowns have a metal base with porcelain fused over the top. This type offers the durability of metal, and the porcelain looks like a natural tooth. Dentists can use PFM crowns for front or back teeth.
• Pressed ceramic: Pressed ceramic crowns have a ceramic core with layers of porcelain on top. Like PFM crowns, this type is both long lasting and natural looking.
• All-ceramic: All-ceramic or porcelain crowns are made from materials like zirconium dioxide. These strong crowns look like real enamel teeth.
• All-resin: All-resin crowns are a cost-effective crown option made from resin.

Application Process for Dental Crowns

Smile Crafters offers same-day crowns in most cases for your convenience. Our office makes crowns for posterior teeth in the back of the mouth using our Cerec milling machine. Your dentist can make and place your crown in one appointment.

Our crowns for anterior teeth in the front are more likely to be made in a lab than in our office, so the crown process takes two appointments — the first to prepare your tooth and the second to apply the crown. During the first appointment, your dentist will:

• Prepare your tooth for the crown by removing some enamel.
• Take an impression of your tooth to create a custom crown.
• Place a temporary crown while the dental lab makes your permanent crown.

Making a crown takes about two to three weeks when sent out of office. When Smile Crafters has received your crown from the lab, we'll schedule your second appointment. During this visit, your dentist will:

• Check your permanent crown's fit, color and shape to ensure it's right for you.
• Remove the temporary crown.
• Bond the permanent crown to your tooth.

How Are Dental Crowns Used?

Crowns may be used to:

• Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining.
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
• Restore a fractured tooth.
• Attach a bridge to fill gaps.
• Cover a dental implant.
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth.
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment.
• Correct small misalignments.
• Provide additional support for your teeth.

How to Care for Your Crown

Your dental crown can last for several years with proper care. You can care for your crown just like your natural teeth, such as:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing your teeth daily.
• Preventing bacteria and dental plaque buildup by using an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Wearing a mouth guard when playing sports or sleeping.
• Scheduling regular checkups with Smile Crafters.

We recommend that patients with crowns do not chew on hard, crunchy, chewy or sticky foods because they could damage or dislodge the crown. These foods include:

• Seeds
• Taffy
• Hard nuts
• Pretzels
• Caramels
• Popcorn with kernels
• Ice cubes

Choose Smile Crafters for Dental Crown Services Today

Smile Crafters in Gilbert, Arizona, provides dental crowns to improve your smile. Schedule an appointment with us for your crown service, or contact us today!