After you damage a tooth, it can be hard to eat or talk without pain. A dental crown is a common way to fix and protect your tooth after your tooth wears down, you chip a tooth, or you receive root canal treatment. At Hope Dental Professionals, Dr. Yamileth Pate brings exceptional skill and artistry to dental crown treatment in Bentonville, AR. As an AACD-accredited dentist, she uses her eye for cosmetic care to create restorative treatments that look natural and function like your own teeth.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom “cap” that covers a tooth. It sits over the tooth and protects it on all sides. A crown helps a weak or broken tooth stay strong so it can handle biting and chewing again. Our office uses tooth-colored crowns made to match your mouth. Once placed, a crown should feel like a natural tooth and be easy to care for with brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.
Reasons for Needing a Dental Crown
Crowns are used when a tooth needs extra strength or protection. They can also be a good choice when you want a long-lasting solution that looks natural.
Common reasons a dentist may recommend a crown include:
- A cracked, broken, or badly worn tooth that needs support
- A tooth with a large dental filling that does not have enough natural tooth left
- Protection for a tooth after root canal treatment
- Severe decay that is too big for a filling
- Improving the look of a tooth that is discolored, misshapen, or uneven
- Holding a dental bridge in place or covering a dental implant
A key benefit of a crown is that it can help you avoid bigger problems later. A weak tooth can crack over time and become painful to chew with.
Tooth crowns shield the tooth and spread out chewing pressure in a safer way. For many patients, this means better comfort, better function, and more confidence when they smile.
Dental crowns can also be part of a larger treatment plan. For example, if you’re missing a tooth, an implant crown can replace it without affecting the teeth next to it. We can also support a traditional bridge with crowns that anchor it in place. Dr. Pate will explain all treatment options and help you choose what best fits your needs and budget.
What Are the Different Types of Crown Materials?
You can choose from several crown types. The best choice depends on where the tooth is in your mouth, how hard you bite, and what look you want. Common crown materials include:
- Porcelain or ceramic crowns are tooth-colored and are often chosen for front teeth because they can look very natural. They are also a popular choice for patients who want a metal-free option.
- Zirconia crowns are also tooth-colored and known for strength. They can be a great option for back teeth that do a lot of chewing. Zirconia can offer a strong fit and a natural look.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns have a metal base with a tooth-colored layer on top. They can be a strong option, and they blend in better than full metal crowns. In some cases, a thin dark line may show near the gum over time.
- Gold or metal alloy crowns are very durable and can handle strong biting forces. They are often used on back teeth where strength matters most. However, they tend to wear down opposing teeth less than some other materials.
If same-day crowns are available for your case, your crown may be made in the office using digital scans and special milling equipment. This can reduce waiting time and may allow you to finish treatment in one visit.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Dental Crown?
A crown works when a tooth needs more protection than a filling can provide. Dr. Pate evaluates three things before recommending treatment:
- Your tooth structure: If a filling takes up most of the tooth’s remaining structure, the walls can flex and fracture. A crown surrounds the tooth and holds it steady.
- Your gum health: Healthy gums frame the crown and keep it looking natural. Active gum disease needs treatment first, because it breaks down the tissue that supports the tooth.
- Your bite: If your bite is unstable, a crown can chip, loosen, or wear unevenly. Dr. Pate checks how your teeth meet before recommending treatment.
You’re likely not a candidate if the tooth can be saved with a filling, if the tooth is too damaged to restore, or if the root is cracked below the gum line. Dr. Pate will tell you honestly which treatment fits your situation.
What to Expect During the Dental Crown Process
Getting a crown is usually done in two visits, though some offices may offer same-day crowns in certain cases. Dr. Pate will explain which option is best for you based on your tooth, your bite, and the type of crown you need.
Exam and Consultation
During your first visit, Dr. Pate will examine your tooth and may take X-rays. This helps her check the root and the bone around the tooth. If you have decay or an old filling, she will remove any damaged areas.
You will be numbed so you stay comfortable. Dr. Pate’s gentle approach and commitment to patient comfort mean you will feel at ease throughout the process.
Tooth Preparation
Next, the tooth is shaped so the crown can fit over it. After shaping, Dr. Pate takes an impression (a mold or digital scan) of your tooth. This impression is used to create a crown that fits your bite and lines up well with the teeth around it. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the dental lab creates your final crown.
Final Crown
At the second visit, the temporary crown is removed. Dr. Pate checks the fit, the color, and the way your teeth come together when you bite. Small adjustments may be made so the crown feels smooth and natural. Then the crown is cemented into place.
After your crown is placed, you should be able to chew comfortably again. You may feel mild soreness for a short time, but most patients return to normal activities right away. With good home care and routine checkups, a crown can last for many years.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dental Crown FAQs
Read answers to common questions patients have about dental crowns in our Bentonville, AR office.
How long do dental crowns last?
It depends on the material. Here’s how long your dental crown will last based on the material:
- Porcelain and ceramic: 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer. They look the most natural because porcelain reflects light like enamel.
- Zirconia: 15 years or more. The strongest tooth-colored option, which makes it a good fit for back teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: 10 to 15 years. Strong and natural-looking, but a thin dark line can show at the gum over time.
- Gold and metal: 20 years or more. The most durable, but they don’t look natural, so they’re usually used on back teeth.
Dr. Pate recommends porcelain for most patients. It lasts as long as the other tooth-colored options, looks the most natural, and doesn’t develop the metal line that PFM crowns do.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the preparation and placement. Some patients may experience mild sensitivity after the anesthesia wears off, but this is temporary and usually resolves quickly.
How do I care for my crown?
You care for a crown just like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings. Dr. Pate will check that your crown fits properly at your routine dental visits.
What happens if my crown comes off?
Call our office right away. Don’t try to reattach it yourself, and don’t ignore it, because the exposed tooth can decay or break. In most cases, Dr. Pate can re-cement the crown or make a new one that matches your other teeth.
Can crowns get cavities?
The crown itself can’t get a cavity because it’s made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal. Those materials don’t decay.
But the tooth underneath the crown can still get a cavity. That’s why the edge where the crown meets your gum matters so much. If plaque builds up there, bacteria can get under the crown and start decaying the tooth.
This is why brushing, flossing, and regular checkups matter even more with a crown. Dr. Pate checks the edges of your crown at every visit to make sure nothing is getting underneath.
Do I really need a crown after a filling?
Not always. It depends on how much of your tooth is left after the decay is removed.
A filling works well when the cavity is small or medium and there’s still plenty of healthy tooth around it. But if the cavity is large, the remaining tooth walls get thin. They can flex and crack when you chew.
A crown covers the whole tooth and holds it together. That’s why Dr. Pate may recommend one after a large filling. If a filling is enough, she’ll tell you. She only recommends a crown when the tooth actually needs one.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation Today
If you think you may need a dental crown, the next step is a dental exam with Dr. Pate. She will check the tooth, talk about your symptoms, and explain your treatment options in simple terms. She will also review crown material choices and help you understand the benefits of each one.
To get started, call 479-309-9665
