Dental Crown Procedures

Dental Crown Procedures at Alpine Dental Health

We make it easy for you to smile again!

At Alpine Dental Health, we understand the importance of a healthy smile. If you’ve recently started feeling pain in a tooth, noticed significant tooth decay, or broken your tooth, a dental crown procedure may be the best option for you. 

We are here to create a customized treatment plan to fulfill your oral health needs- bright smile included! Rest assured that your confidence and peace of mind are our top priority every visit. 

Here’s a little information about the procedure, including what to expect during your visits. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or request an appointment with our compassionate team today.  

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a thin cap made from porcelain, resin, ceramic, metal, or a metal-alloy combination. It works by entirely covering your tooth to restore it to its original shape and function. Once bonded to your tooth, crowns are durable and strong, mimicking the strength of your natural teeth. 

A dental crown procedure allows you to keep teeth that you would have otherwise lost due to decay, fracture, or extreme weakness. Dental crowns last an average of 15 to 20 years with proper care.

Types of Dental Crown

A dental crown can be made from a range of materials including:

  • Zirconia
  • Composite resin
  • Porcelain and all-porcelain
  • Ceramic and Emax Ceramic
  • E-MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns
  • Metals such as gold, palladium, chromium, and nickel
  • A combination of the above, such as Porcelain Fused-to-Meal Crowns (PFM)

Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Metal crowns, for instance, are strong, but they are much harder to match to the natural look of your smile.

Dental crown cost varies by procedure.  In most cases, dental insurances cover a portion of the price; if you don’t have dental insurance, we offer our Smile Plan, an affordable option that includes free preventative care plus savings on restorative treatments like crowns. 

Don’t let the worry of cost stop you from restoring your smile; we can assure you that we have options that fit just for you. 

5 Steps of a Dental Crown Procedure

Dental crown procedures begin with an overall oral health review by our experienced and caring dentists. At Alpine Dental Health, we believe transparency builds solid relationships. Along with providing a thorough treatment plan, we discuss the dental crown cost to ensure it fits within your budget. 

We recognize that knowing what to expect from your procedure helps alleviate any worry or stress you may have leading up to the appointments. We are here to care for you and want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your time with us.

Although every experience is unique, there are typically five steps that make up the dental crown procedure. The entire process will require 2 appointments, or a 3rd to ensure the crown fits properly.

Your dentist will first need to examine your teeth to determine if a crown is necessary–in some cases, a tooth may be too damaged from decay or trauma to hold a crown.

1.     Alginate Impressions are taken to serve as a baseline model of your teeth.

2.     Tooth shaping is performed to allow for the ideal placement of the final crown. In most cases, the affected tooth must be sized down slightly to accommodate the crown and any decay will be capped away. In some cases, a root canal procedure is performed on patients who have an infected root from extensive decay or oral trauma. 

3.     Final impressions are taken and sent to a laboratory to ensure the permanent crown will fit the newly sized tooth properly.

4.     A temporary crown is made and adhered to the affected tooth to protect it from damage, decay, or shifting while the permanent crown is being created.

5.     A permanent crown is applied to the tooth after a thorough cleaning and examination of the area. The temporary crown will be removed and the custom-fitted crown put in its place. Slight adjustments will be made to ensure the new crown fits appropriately and aligns with the patient’s bite. You may be given a local anesthetic as the dentist corrects your new permanent crown to perfectly fit your bite.

Dental Crown Recovery

Many people worry about the pain they will experience during the dental crown procedure, however an anesthetic will be used so you shouldn’t experience much discomfort during your visit.

It may take a few days to fully recover from your dental crown procedure, and you may experience some inflammation, sensitivity, or irritation during this time. These symptoms should dissipate in a few days.

A dental crown, when properly cared for, can last you more than ten years. Here’s a few ways to care for your crown to get the most out of it:

  • Floss your teeth every day
  • Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth
  • Stay away from eating hard foods
  • Brush your teeth carefully
  • Prevent damage to your teeth related to grinding or clenching at night by using a night-guard

Learn More about Dental Crowns from the Experts

Are you hoping to restore your tooth? We are here to help.

Request an appointment with our attentive Alpine Dental Health team today or call one of our Colorado dental offices to learn more about how a dental crown procedure can help brighten your smile and boost your confidence.