Dental Crowns in Scottsdale, AZ

Providing affordable dental crowns and bridges for patients in Scottsdale and throughout Greater Arizona. Call today for a free consultation.

There are a number of ways that your cosmetic dentist can restore a damaged or decayed tooth so that it looks and feels like it once did. 

Fillings can stop cavities from growing, inlays can replace lost bite surfaces, and onlays can replace your tooth’s outer cusps, but when the damage or decay is too significant for any of these methods, a crown may be necessary.

Dr. Seerat Mann and Dr. Todd Shatkin along with their team at the Mini Dental Implant Centers of America in Scottsdale offer all of our patient’s dental crowns to help restore the form and function of their damaged or decayed teeth.

If you’d like to know more about this easy and effective procedure, read on for all you need to know or give us a call today to arrange a free consultation, and we’ll be glad to answer all of your questions.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a prosthetic cap that can be fitted over a tooth that has been damaged or is suffering from significant decay. Crowns are designed to look just like natural teeth, and they offer a similar amount of strength and durability. 

While they do require a bit of preparation, receiving a dental crown is a fairly simple and easy procedure. Dental crowns can also be used in a dental bridge, which is a prosthetic dental device used to replace missing teeth.

What Are Dental Crowns Made of?

Dental crowns can be made of a variety of different materials, including porcelain, resin, stainless steel, gold, or a combination of porcelain and metal. 

Each material offers different advantages and disadvantages, typically involving its strength, durability, and affordability. Just about all dental crowns are made to look just like a natural tooth regardless of the material they are made of.

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, there are a few different ways to restore both its form and function. Whether a crown is the best method for you will depend mostly on the extent of the damage, but there are a few other factors to consider.

You may need a dental crown if:

• Both the bite surface and outer cusps are damaged
• You have a fractured tooth
• You have a weak tooth that’s liable to fracture
• You’re in need of a dental bridge
• You’ve received a large filling which weakened the tooth
• You have an unattractive tooth you want to cover 

Nobody knows whether a dental crown is a good option for you better than your dentist. If you think that this dental restoration is a solution you’re interested in pursuing, consult with them, and they’ll help guide you through the process.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Receiving a dental crown is not an overly complicated procedure, but it does take some time and a little bit of preparation. When you go in for your dental crown, you can expect the following:

Consultation

Before you’re able to receive your crown, you’ll first need to see your dentist in order to determine whether it’s a good solution for you. During your appointment, your dentist will give you an oral exam to determine whether there is any tooth decay, the potential for infection and if there’s any injury to the dental pulp. 

Once it’s been confirmed that you’re a good candidate, you can schedule an appointment to have the crown made.

Preparation

In order for the crown to fit comfortably over your tooth, the tooth will need to be filed down, and all decay must be removed. Different kinds of crowns can require a different amount of filing to be done.

To create your custom crown, you may need to have X-rays taken of your mouth, and you’ll also need to have a mold taken of both the prepared tooth and your mouth. These will be sent to a dental lab that specializes in creating dental restorations. Dental crowns usually take somewhere around two weeks to be created.

While you await the creation of your permanent dental crown, you’ll be given a temporary crown to protect your natural tooth. It’s suggested that you avoid hard or sticky foods during this time to avoid damage to the temporary crown. You also may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold on the tooth during this time.

Placement

Once the permanent crown has been created, you’ll return to your dentist’s office to have it placed. Your dentist will first ensure that the crown fits properly and that the color matches your natural teeth. If there are no issues, then they will fix the crown to your tooth using dental cement. Sometimes a local anesthetic is used during this process.

How Long Will My Dental Crown Last?

If you practice good oral hygiene and avoid any habits that may damage your crown, a crown can last for around 15 years without being replaced. 

There are other issues that may arise with your crown beyond any damage it may sustain, such as the crown coming loose or even falling off. These issues are unlikely, but in the event that they do occur, consult your dentist as soon as possible. 

Your new dental crown will have a similar amount of strength to your natural teeth, and it will not require any special care. 

However, because a large enough chip in the crown may mean it needs to be replaced, you’re going to want to do your best to avoid certain behaviors that may damage your restoration, such as chewing on anything hard or clenching your teeth. Your dentist will give you a list of these behaviors, so you can make sure to avoid them.

Advantages of Dental Crowns

If you’re still on the fence about whether a dental crown is the solution for you, take a look at the following advantages that this simple restoration procedure has to offer:

They Can Save Your Natural Tooth

Ask any dentist what their main goal is, and they’re likely to tell you that they aim to protect your natural teeth above all else. 

Tooth replacement options such as bridges, dentures, and mini dental implants can work wonders after a tooth is lost or damaged beyond repair, but dental crowns offer the chance to keep much of your natural tooth intact.

They Can Protect Teeth that Suffer from Decay

If you have a tooth that continuously develops cavities and nothing you and your dentist try seems to be helping, then a dental crown may be your best bet to avoid the eventual loss of that tooth. Dental crowns create a protective casing over the vulnerable tooth and will work to keep all of the different decay-causing acids and sugars out.

They’re Durable

Fillings, inlays, and onlays offer a lot of protection for your natural teeth, but they’re not as strong or as durable as dental crowns. If you’re looking to avoid another dental procedure for the foreseeable future, then going with a dental crown may be the best option for you.

They Can Restore Your Smile

A discolored, misshapen, damaged, or decayed tooth can be unsightly, and that can have a significant effect on your self-confidence. 

Dental crowns can not only restore the function of that tooth, but they can also give it a far more attractive appearance. Crowns are designed to be indistinguishable from your natural teeth, meaning the only one who has to know it’s a prosthesis is you.

If you or someone you love is considering dental crowns, contact us for a free consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale and let us put a smile on your face. We serve patients in Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and throughout the State of Arizona.