What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is cemented over the natural tooth or dental implant to restore the tooth to its shape, size, strength, and appearance. A crown may be needed in the following situations:

  • To protect a weak tooth (one with decay, for example) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth

  • To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down

  • To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of the natural tooth left

  • To restore a missing tooth by covering a dental implant or holding a dental bridge in place

  • To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth

A detailed digital illustration of a dental crown placed on a molar tooth, showing surrounding teeth and gums.

What will happen if I don't get treatment?

Pain & Sensitivity – The longer your tooth is left untreated, the greater the chance of pain and sensitivity, and the more severe the discomfort.

Cracked Tooth – A weak tooth is at risk of cracking, which causes more pain and more extensive and costly treatment.

Tooth Loss – If decay is left untreated or your tooth is cracked, you are at risk of losing your tooth. Once your tooth is gone, you will then need to decide whether to proceed with a more costly treatment to replace your tooth (such as a dental implant or bridge), or choose to leave a gap in your teeth, which often results in further issues such as teeth shifting, difficulty chewing, changes in appearance, further tooth loss, and bite issues that cause jaw pain, headaches, and wear on other teeth.

Infection - Tooth decay or a broken tooth can cause the pulp of your tooth to become infected. The pulp is the part of your tooth that contains blood vessels, connective tissue, and large nerves. When an infection occurs, bacteria can move out of the tooth to the bone or tissue below, forming a dental abscess.

Serious Health Issues – Should an infection occur, it can cause life threatening conditions such as sepsis, cellulitis, bacterial endocarditis, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and in extreme situations, even death. Active infections also worsen existing health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and respiratory diseases, and can cause low birth rates among pregnant women.

More Time & Expense – Any resulting consequences from not proceeding with your tooth restoration (further decay, cracks, tooth loss, etc.) will cost more time and expense to treat than the investment in your crown.

What are the benefits of treatment?

  • Your tooth will be restored to its ideal strength, allowing you to bite and chew properly.

  • Your crown will be colored and shaped to look like your natural tooth.

  • It is a long-term solution with a warranty to back it up.

Dental Anxiety?

We offer oral and IV sedation!