Dental Crowns 101: Everything You Need to Know

Dental crowns are one of the most common restorative dental procedures, with millions of people getting this treatment recommendation every year. The reason they are so commonly recommended is because of how well they work to restore the form and function of a tooth that has been damaged by injury, tooth decay, or a dental infection. In fact, most dental crowns last 10 to 15 years without any need for restoration or replacement. 

If you’re wondering if a dental crown is right for you, understanding the different types of dental crowns and how they are placed can help you make your decision. Read on to get answers to these and other top questions, including where to find the best dentist for dental crowns in Mountain View and how to take care of your dental restoration to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a restorative dental treatment that uses a custom-made cap, shaped like your natural tooth, to cover a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth's original shape, size, and function, so you can chew, speak, and smile without any dental pain or embarrassment. 

Dental crowns protect and strengthen the original tooth structure when regular dental fillings are no longer a good option. While not every dental problem needs a dental crown, there are several specific situations that do:

• A tooth is too decayed to treat with a standard dental filling
• After a root canal
• When a tooth has been broken or cracked due to a dental injury
• To cover a dental implant or anchor a dental bridge in place

Some dental crowns are made in a dental laboratory, which takes a few days or weeks. However, dentists who offer the best restorative dentistry in Mountain View offer same-day dental crowns that are custom-made right in the office.

Types of Dental Crowns and Choosing Which One is Right for You

Choosing the right type of dental crown depends on where the tooth sits in your mouth, how visible it is when you smile, and what your budget looks like: 

• Porcelain crowns are the most popular choice because they match the color of your natural teeth and blend in with your smile
• Crowns for front teeth focus heavily on aesthetics, making ceramic or metal-free options the most natural-looking choice
• Crowns for back teeth are built more for strength and the ability to handle the daily pressure of chewing, like porcelain fused to metal crowns
• Other common materials include stainless steel, which is used more often for temporary crowns or in certain back-to-tooth situations

What to Expect When You Get a Dental Crown

Getting a crown is one of the most common procedures in dentistry, and for most people, it is far less stressful than they expected. The best dentist for dental crowns in Mountain View offers same-day dental crowns, which is faster than other dentists, where the process typically takes two appointments. 

After making room for your dental crown, the best dentist in Mountain View takes a digital scan of the tooth and adjacent teeth using advanced dental imaging, which is used to create a custom-made crown right in the office. This means you’ll not need a temporary crown or another appointment. 

After the crown is made, it is secured to your damaged tooth using dental bonding. A local anesthetic is used to keep you numb during the whole procedure so you won’t feel a thing.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

The answer to the question, “How long will my dental crown last?” largely depends on how well it's taken care of. Porcelain crowns typically last at least 15 years with proper care, and lasting 20 or more years is not unusual, given the durability of today's materials. That said, crowns are not indestructible. The most common reasons a crown eventually needs to be replaced are: 

• Gum recession that exposes the margin
• Tooth decay develops on the tooth underneath
• An aesthetic mismatch as your natural teeth change color over the years

The good news is that most of these issues are preventable with good oral health habits like brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending your regular dental checkups every six months. You should also avoid things that could break your dental crown, like: 

• Chewing ice or fingernails
• Forgetting to wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night or a mouthguard if you participate in sports
• Opening packages with your mouth 

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

Most dental insurance plans do provide some coverage for dental crowns. However, coverage is generally limited to crowns that are medically necessary, so a crown placed purely for cosmetic reasons is likely to come out of pocket. Getting the dental crown done is almost always cheaper in the long run than waiting until the tooth is so damaged that you need a tooth extraction and tooth replacement with a dental implant.

Finding the Best Dentist for Dental Crowns in Mountain View

Fixing a damaged tooth no longer means undergoing a stressful, drawn-out process with multiple dental appointments. Dr. Silvers offers same-day dental crowns, so you can have a cracked or damaged tooth fixed with a permanent dental restoration right away. 

We offer a patient-centered approach to care and advanced dental technology that ensures you get a dental restoration that looks natural, feels natural, and lasts a decade or longer. 

Ready to restore the look and function of your smile with the best dentist for dental crowns in Mountain View?