Dental Crowns

Serving Patients in Vancouver WA

A dental crown is a cap that completely covers a damaged tooth or dental implant. Made of artificial materials, crowns can be made to match the surrounding teeth, providing a natural appearance. Crowns can also add strength and improve proper alignment. A crown is cemented permanently into place, covering the exposed tooth above the gums.

Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry has in-house technology to create same-day dental crowns using Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns. Ask us if this technology is right for your specific case.

What Are Dental Crowns and How Do They Work?

A crown is a custom-fitted covering for your tooth that shields vulnerable areas while allowing you to bite, chew, and smile with confidence. Dental crowns work by encasing your visible tooth structure, creating a protective shell that restores both function and appearance.

The crown bonds securely to your prepared tooth using dental adhesive, becoming a permanent part of your smile. Once in place, your crown functions just like a natural tooth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods and maintain your normal oral hygiene routine.

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we take precise measurements and impressions to make sure your crown fits seamlessly with your existing tooth.

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

Dental Crowns may be utilized in a variety of situations. They can be used to:

• Cover and hold together a tooth weakened by decay or fracture.
• Restore a broken or extremely worn tooth.
• Support and cover a tooth that requires a significant filling.
• Hold a dental bridge securely in place.
• Cover misshapen or discolored teeth.
• Cover a dental implant with a permanent, natural-looking, artificial tooth replacement.

Types of Crowns

Cosmetic crowns are designed primarily to enhance the appearance of your smile. These crowns are ideal for:

• Covering severely discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening.
• Reshaping misaligned or irregularly shaped teeth.
• Creating a uniform, balanced smile.

Functional crowns focus on restoring strength and proper bite alignment. These are recommended when you need to:

• Protect a weakened or cracked tooth from further damage.
• Restore a tooth after root canal treatment.
• Replace large, failing fillings.
• Support dental bridges.

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, many patients benefit from crowns that serve both purposes: restoring dental health while creating a more confident smile.

Dental Crown Materials

Dental crowns can be made out of a variety of different materials, including porcelain and ceramic. Cosmetic crowns, or crowns used to improve the appearance of a misshapen tooth, are typically made of porcelain or ceramic because of those materials’ ability to match surrounding teeth. 

A crown can protect the ongoing health of the tooth while providing a natural-looking, fully functioning, and properly aligned structure. At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we will work with you to determine the best crown material for the dental crown procedure.

The lab will make a dental crown that perfectly fits your tooth. During your second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary cap and the new crown is permanently placed on the tooth with an adhesive. If cared for properly, your crown can last a lifetime.

Our Dental Crown Process

If cared for properly, your crown can last a lifetime. Here’s how our dental crown procedure is done in-house: 

1. Your tooth is examined to determine if it can support a crown. 
2. The tooth is then prepared for a crown. 
3. If the tooth is largely decayed or broken, we’ll also clean and fill the tooth to properly prepare it for a crown. 
4. A digital impression of the tooth and those surrounding is made with our Primescan scanner. No messy goop in a tray!
5. The permanent crown is designed with the help of our AI software and Cerec Primill, which perfectly fits your tooth. This avoids the hassle of having a temporary crown that can be uncomfortable.
6. There are some circumstances for esthetic cases where temporary crowns are used for high-level shade matching.

As a part of our process, we’re proud to use CEREC technology. This system allows us to design, create, and place your custom crown in one or two appointments. Read about this newest dental crown technology here.

Tooth Crown Pain and Sensitivity

It may take some time to adjust to your dental crown, with tooth sensitivity and even pain being reported. 

If you’re experiencing pain, it may be because you need a root canal, and the crown is placing pressure on a tooth nerve. Pain from a tooth crown may also be caused by tooth grinding or improper crown height. 

If your crown is bothering you for more than a week, it’s important to schedule an appointment for us to examine the crown. It’s important to identify and address the pain immediately to prevent complications and to provide immediate relief.

Choose Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry for Your Dental Crown

Brushing and flossing twice a day, seeing the dentist for regular examinations, and regularly scheduled dental cleanings are all important parts of making sure your crown can last as long as possible. 

When you’re in our office for an appointment, we make your comfort our priority. Led by Dr. Lewis, our staff of dental experts will assess your oral health and put together a tailored plan for a healthier, more beautiful smile.

Contact Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry today to schedule your dental crown consultation!