Crowns
Main Family Dental CareGeneral dentistry located in Davenport, Iowa and serving the Quad Cities area
When a tooth is damaged, repairs to the biting surface and surrounding dentin require us to duplicate your original tooth with an artificial “cap” or crown. We can create a new crown that looks very nearly as good as your original tooth…and wears even better! The staff at Main Family Dental Care is highly trained and ready to answer your dental crown questions. Call or schedule an appointment if you think you might need a crown. Main Family Dental Care is conveniently located in Davenport, Iowa, and serves the entire Quad Cities area.
Crowns Q&A
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a natural looking cover for a damaged tooth. It’s designed in the shape of the original tooth and can improve its appearance and strength. The crown acts as a protective covering, as it’s fitted over the original tooth so that the visible portion of the tooth is encased. It’s sealed in place with dental cement.
Are dental crowns a good fit for me?
There are a number of reasons the experienced team at Main Family Dental Care might recommend a crown. A crown can cover a dental implant or a discolored or oddly-shaped tooth.
In addition to making a natural tooth look better, a crown can provide support to a tooth. Teeth that are weakened by decay or extremely large fillings are at risk of breaking unless they’re strengthened with a crown.
Many patients are great candidates for dental crowns, for both cosmetic and restorative reasons. Whether you need a crown to fix the appearance of a tooth or strengthen a weak tooth, a dental crown can protect teeth for years to come.
Which kind of crown is right for my teeth?
Dental crowns can be constructed from many materials, including:
- Stainless steel
- Gold or another alloy
- Porcelain fused to metal
- Resin
- Ceramic
The choice of material depends on multiple factors. For example, stainless steel is typically the go-to material for temporary crowns. It’s common for dentists to use prefabricated stainless steel crowns to cap children’s baby teeth.
Metal crowns are sturdy and able to tolerate the force of chewing and eating, but due to their color, they’re usually reserved for use in the back of the mouth.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns looks more like natural teeth than metal crowns but have some drawbacks. For instance, the opposing teeth may suffer more wear and tear than they would with other types of crowns. The metal portion of the crown might also be visible as a dark line near the gums.
All-resin crowns are generally a less expensive option, but are also more prone to cracking, whereas all-ceramic crowns are the best option for people who have metal allergies.
What should I expect when I get a crown?
A majority of the time, a minimum of two appointments are required to complete a dental crown procedure. During the first visit, your Main Family Dental Care professional takes some X-rays to assess the health of the tooth that requires the crown.
Next, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and its surrounding tissue. The tooth will be filed down or built up so that the crown will fit properly and securely. After, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth, which will be sent to the dental lab and used to construct a custom crown. Your dentist will place a temporary crown over your tooth until the permanent crown is completed.
Getting a dental crown can be a simple, easy process. To discuss your crown options, contact the experienced team at Main Family Dental Care or request an appointment online today.
