How Do Dental Crowns Work?

Serving Patients in Vancouver WA

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we understand that dealing with a damaged, decayed, or worn-down tooth can feel overwhelming. You might be worried about how your tooth looks, whether it will get worse, or how long treatment will take. Dental crowns offer a reliable solution that can restore both the function and appearance of your tooth, and often in just one visit. 

The crown is designed to match the exact dimensions of your original tooth. When bonded into place, the crown becomes the new outer surface of your tooth. They also seal out bacteria that could cause additional decay. And it holds your tooth together if cracks or fractures have compromised its structural integrity.

Crowns absorb the pressure of biting and chewing, protecting the vulnerable inner layers of your tooth from further damage. Many patients tell us at Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry they can eat foods they had been avoiding because their damaged tooth couldn’t handle the pressure.

So for patients who have felt embarrassed about a discolored, chipped, or misshapen tooth, this transformation can be truly life-changing. We carefully match the shade to your surrounding teeth so your crown blends in seamlessly.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom-fitted cap that completely covers your damaged tooth above the gum line. Once cemented permanently into place, your crown shields vulnerable areas while allowing you to bite, chew, and smile with complete confidence.

Crowns are made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, which can be matched to your surrounding teeth. This means your restored tooth will blend in naturally with the rest of your smile.

A crown also adds strength to a weakened tooth and helps maintain proper alignment with your other teeth. When your crown is bonded securely to your prepared tooth using dental adhesive, it becomes a permanent part of your smile. You’ll be able to eat your favorite foods and maintain your normal brushing and flossing routine without any special adjustments.

Why Your Dentist Might Recommend a Crown

• Protection for a Decayed or Damaged Tooth: When decay has weakened a tooth or a fracture has compromised its structure, a crown holds everything together and prevents further damage.
• Support for a Tooth With a Large Filling: Sometimes a tooth needs such a significant filling that there isn’t much natural tooth structure left to support it.
• To Secure a Dental Bridge: If you’re replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap need crowns to anchor the bridge securely in place.
• Improvement in Appearance (for Discolored or Misshapen Teeth): If you have a tooth that’s severely discolored and doesn’t respond to whitening (or if a tooth is misshapen and affects your smile), a crown can create a more uniform, balanced appearance.
• To Complete a Dental Implant: When you receive a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, a crown is placed on top of the implant abutment.
• Restoration of a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment: A tooth that has undergone a root canal often becomes more brittle over time.

The Traditional Dental Crown Process vs. Same-Day Dental Crowns

The usual process of getting a dental crown involves scheduling at least two separate appointments.

During the first visit, your dentist prepares your tooth and takes impressions using a tray filled with putty-like material. After your impressions are taken, they are sent to an outside laboratory where technicians create your custom crown. And in the meantime, you wear a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth.

Same-day crowns are created using high-quality, biocompatible ceramic materials that look and function just like natural teeth. And at Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we’re proud to offer same-day dental crowns using Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC). This system allows us to design and fabricate your custom crown.

What to Expect After Getting Your Dental Crown

Getting a new dental crown does require a brief adjustment period. Your tooth may feel slightly different at first, and some patients experience temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. This sensitivity fades within a few days to a week as you get used to your new crown.

In some cases, patients report some discomfort or pain after their crown is placed. This can happen for a few reasons. If the crown sits slightly too high, it may cause pressure when you bite down. Sometimes a tooth that seemed fine before crown placement actually needs root canal treatment, and the crown reveals an underlying nerve issue. Teeth grinding at night can also cause crown-related discomfort.

If your crown bothers you for more than 2 weeks, please schedule an appointment so we can examine it. Identifying and addressing any issues early helps prevent complications and provides you with relief. In most cases, minor adjustments to the crown’s height or surface can resolve the problem quickly.

What You Can Do for Aftercare

One of the best things about dental crowns is that they don’t require much special maintenance beyond normal oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for regular exams and cleanings will help your crown last as long as possible.

However, it’s worth noting that while your crown itself can’t develop cavities, the natural tooth underneath still can. This is why maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping up with your regular dental visits remains important even after your crown is placed.

Read more about dental crown preparation and aftercare here.

Your Family Dentist Since 2005

With over 21 years of experience serving , Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry has helped countless patients restore their smiles with high-quality dental crowns. Led by Dr. Lewis, our team of dental experts will thoroughly assess your oral health and develop a tailored treatment plan designed to give you a healthier, more confident smile. We take precise measurements using our advanced digital scanning technology to make sure your crown fits seamlessly with your existing teeth.

We want every patient to feel comfortable during their dental procedures. So if you feel anxious about getting a dental crown, please let us know. We offer anesthesia options to help you relax and make sure your experience is as stress-free as possible. Our team is happy to discuss these options with you before your appointment.

Ready to learn more about how a dental crown can restore your smile? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.