Perfectly Seamless Tooth Restoration
A dental crown is a custom-made “cap” that fits over a tooth that has been broken, treated with a root canal, stained, damaged by decay, or is misshapen. Crafted to match the tone and shape of your natural teeth, crowns provide a seamless restoration that can last for over 15 years with proper care. In addition to restoring damaged teeth, crowns are also used to secure dental bridges, complete dental implants, or address cosmetic concerns for aesthetic improvements.
What’s the Process of Getting a Crown?
The dental crown procedure typically requires two visits to the dentist. Here’s how the process works:
Examining and Preparing the Tooth
Everything begins with a thorough dental exam. During this appointment, the dentist will check and clean your teeth to ensure a proper fit. If the tooth is broken or severely damaged by decay, we’ll remove the damaged areas to prepare the tooth for the crown, ensuring it’s well-protected from further issues.
Shaping the Crown
Next, we’ll take an impression of your teeth using dental putty, which will be sent to our lab to create your custom crown. If you’re getting a full porcelain crown, the impression will help shape the crown to match your natural teeth. You will also receive a temporary crown to wear until your next visit. If you’re replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, we’ll take an impression of the implant and surrounding teeth to ensure a perfect fit for your crown.
Placing the Crown
At your second appointment, we’ll remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one. The crown will be secured using durable dental cement or a hidden screw, depending on the situation. Finally, we’ll polish the crown and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits comfortably and securely in your mouth.
Cost of Dental Crowns in Tacoma
The cost of a dental crown can vary significantly depending on your individual needs. With typical insurance coverage, a single dental crown usually costs between $200 and $600 or more. Without insurance, the cost tends to range from $800 to $1,200 and up. While a dental crown can restore both the function and appearance of your tooth, the cost might still be a consideration for many patients.
- The type of crown and the material used (e.g., porcelain, gold, or resin)
- The location and complexity of the procedure
- The number of crowns needed
- Whether the crown is combined with other dental treatments like bridges or implants
- The supplies and equipment necessary for your specific treatment
Several factors affect the final price of your dental crown:
Remember, no dental office can give an accurate quote over the phone. Since your needs are unique, it’s essential to schedule a consultation and exam to explore your treatment options and get a precise quote. If you have dental insurance, we can provide a detailed estimate for you to submit to your insurance company, helping you understand your out-of-pocket costs before making a final decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether a root canal requires a crown depends on the tooth’s location in your mouth. Back teeth, like molars and premolars, are essential for chewing and typically require crowns after a root canal for added strength and protection. Front teeth, such as incisors and canines, are less crucial for chewing and may not always need a crown after a root canal, depending on the situation.
One key difference between crowns and fillings is their durability. Crowns are stronger and more suitable for teeth with large biting surfaces, such as molars. Fillings can sometimes crack or become loose under the pressure of chewing or habitual clenching. A crown, being a single, unbroken surface that extends from gumline to gumline, can withstand much more force over time.
Dental crowns are designed to both restore the function of a damaged tooth and blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth. They’re colored and contoured to match the appearance of your surrounding teeth, making it hard to distinguish which tooth has the crown. Most people forget which tooth has the crown because it looks so natural.
A dental post is a small, medical-grade post that may be cemented into a prepared root canal. It serves to reinforce the core of the tooth and help support a dental crown, especially when there’s not enough healthy tooth structure left to hold the crown securely. While similar to a dental implant, a post is not surgically implanted into the jawbone.
Getting a dental crown typically feels similar to getting a filling. The dentist will carefully numb the area, ensuring you are comfortable during the procedure. While the preparation of the tooth is usually painless, you may experience some mild sensitivity or soreness in the gums around the tooth afterward. If you’re feeling anxious, let us know—we’re here to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
With proper care, dental crowns can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits will help prolong the lifespan of your crown.
Caring for a dental crown is simple. Just like natural teeth, you should brush and floss regularly to keep your crown and the surrounding gums healthy. It’s also important to attend routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist to ensure the crown and your overall oral health stay in good shape.
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