A cracked tooth, a large cavity, or a tooth weakened after a root canal can all threaten the strength and appearance of your smile, and a dental crown is often the most reliable way to protect it. This tooth-shaped cap fits over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, and function while blending naturally with the teeth around it, giving you back a bite you can rely on without drawing attention to the repair.
At Mesa Dental, Dr. Emily Browner and our team take a whole-health approach to restorative care, which means we look at how a crown affects your bite, your jaw, and your long-term oral health, not just the tooth in front of us. We proudly serve patients throughout Summerlin and the greater Las Vegas Valley from our restorative dentistry practice, and we take the time to walk you through your options so you feel confident before any treatment begins.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a tooth from the gum line up, replacing the outer structure that has been lost to decay, fracture, or wear. Crowns are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, or a combination of materials chosen to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth.
Crowns are one of the most common ways we restore teeth after extractions are avoided, since they preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. They may also be used to cap a tooth after a large filling can no longer support the remaining structure, or to anchor a bridge that replaces a nearby missing tooth.
When properly placed and with good oral hygiene habits including regular preventive care, dental crowns can last up to 15 years.
Your comfort is our priority. Before beginning the crown procedure, your dentist administers local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable throughout treatment. If available and appropriate for your procedure, your dentist may also provide you with sedation. For urgent cases, we also offer emergency dentistry services.
After your mouth is completely numb and has been thoroughly cleaned, your dentist uses a dental drill to remove decayed enamel and reshape your tooth in preparation for your crown placement.
Once your tooth has been trimmed and prepared for a crown, your dentist will use dental putty and trays or a 3D scanner to take impressions or scans of your teeth, which will be used to build your permanent crown.
In addition to impressions or scans, your dentist will take pictures of your teeth to ensure that your crown matches your existing teeth perfectly. Thanks to color matching, your porcelain crown will look just like a natural tooth.
After the impressions, scans, and images of your teeth are taken, your dentist will send this information to a dental lab where your crown will be built from durable porcelain ceramic. This process takes a few weeks, but lab-made crowns typically are the most long-lasting and comfortable type of dental crown.
Because your crown won’t be ready for a few weeks, your dentist will attach a temporary resin crown to protect your newly-trimmed tooth until your permanent crown can be placed.
After your crown arrives at your dentist’s office, you’ll come back for your fitting and placement appointment. Your dentist will examine the crown to make sure it fits comfortably. Minor adjustments can be made at this time.
After final adjustments, your dentist will use a powerful dental cement to bond your crown into place permanently, restoring your smile and your bite.
Not every damaged tooth needs a crown, but several situations call for one. A tooth with a large cavity that leaves too little healthy structure for a standard filling often needs the full coverage a crown provides. Cracked or fractured teeth, worn-down teeth from years of grinding, and teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are also common candidates.
Timing matters more than many patients realize. Research published by the National Library of Medicine found that teeth restored with a full-coverage crown after root canal treatment were more likely to need extraction the longer the final restoration was delayed, which is why we recommend addressing a weakened tooth as soon as it is diagnosed rather than waiting. If you are dealing with sudden tooth pain or a broken tooth, our emergency dentistry team can see you quickly to prevent further damage.
Your first visit starts with a thorough exam and, if needed, digital scans to help Dr. Browner plan your treatment. Once your tooth is prepared and any decay is removed, we take precise impressions or digital scans that are sent to a dental lab, where your custom crown is crafted to match the shape and shade of your surrounding teeth.
Because a lab-made crown typically takes a few weeks to complete, we place a temporary crown to protect your tooth in the meantime. When your permanent crown arrives, you will return for a fitting appointment where we check the color, shape, and bite before permanently cementing it into place. If you feel anxious about dental visits, our sedation dentistry options can help you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout the process.
Some patients ask whether same-day crowns are an option. While many offices use in-office milling technology for this, we prioritize lab-made crowns at Mesa Dental because they tend to offer superior fit, durability, and a more natural appearance over time.
Stainless steel crowns are typically used to restore baby orprimary teeth in children.
With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, a well-placed crown can last many years. Crown longevity depends on several factors, including the material used, the location of the tooth, and how well you care for it at home.
The following habits go a long way toward protecting your investment:
If your crown has been in place for many years and a tooth beneath it becomes compromised, you may eventually need more involved restorative treatment, such as full-mouth reconstruction or, in cases where the tooth cannot be saved, dental implants as a long-term replacement option.
Mesa Dental operates on a fee-for-service basis, which means we do not bill insurance directly, though many patients still use out-of-network benefits to offset part of the cost. We also offer flexible financing options so you can move forward with treatment without unnecessary delay.
We believe cost should never stand between you and a healthy, functional smile, and our team is happy to walk you through what your specific treatment plan may involve before you commit to anything.
Dr. Browner brings a whole-health perspective to every restorative treatment, considering how a crown fits into your overall bite and long-term oral health rather than treating it as an isolated repair.
If you think you may need a dental crown, or if you have a damaged tooth you have been putting off addressing, we encourage you to reach out soon rather than waiting for the problem to worsen. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward protecting your smile.
Care for your dental crown just like your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss once per day, and visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and exams. Avoid chewing ice or hard candies, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
When properly placed and with good oral hygiene habits, dental crowns can last up to15 years.
We make quality dental care accessible with flexible payment options.
We work with most PPO insurance plans. Our office files claims on your behalf and provides benefit estimates before treatment begins.
We offer financing through CareCredit to help break down treatment costs into manageable monthly payments. Apply and get instant credit decision.
For patients without insurance, our in-house membership program starts at just $33/month and includes cleanings, exams, and 20% off all treatments.
Questions? Call us at (702) 640-0004 to discuss your coverage, financing, or membership options.
Mesa Dental offers comprehensive dentistry for patients throughout Las Vegas and Summerlin. From preventive care to advanced cosmetic procedures, our conservative and whole-health approach delivers exceptional results. Below are just some of the services we provide.
Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your goals and discover how Mesa Dental can help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
