A crown acts as a cap for your tooth to protect it from breaking. It aids in distributing biting forces evenly across the entire tooth providing strength and support to areas of the tooth that are more fragile.
We offer same day crowns for patient convenience. If you elect an in-office crown, you can expect to skip the traditional impression and temporary crown, and leave with your final crown in a single appointment. Traditionally, crowns are done in two appointments (or more if your temporary crown breaks or comes off). If you are getting a crown on a molar, you can expect about a 2-hour appointment. All other crowns will usually take 1.5-2 hours.
Similarly to dental fillings, there is no waiting period before you can go about your normal routine. You can eat and chew on your crown as before. Without strict home care, it is possible to get a cavity around your new crown. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to the dentist, can help to prevent new cavities from forming. Treating these cavities will require a new crown. Crowns can last years and maybe even a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. For more cosmetic and restorative services, click here!
The crown treatment should not be painful since your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area before shaping the tooth and taking an impression or a scan. It is quite normal to experience a little soreness or sensitivity to hot and cold as well as to pressure for a few days afterwards while the tooth and gum tissue adjust. If you do feel pain during the appointment, you should immediately let your dentist know so that they can give you more anesthetic. Pain relief available without a prescription is generally sufficient for any remaining tenderness and the discomfort should get better rather than worse.
Zirconia crowns are made entirely from a strong ceramic substance and therefore are very resistant to chipping and cause less wear on the teeth that they oppose, meaning they wear more slowly over time. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns have a metal base to provide strength with porcelain applied on top to give a natural tooth color, but the porcelain layer may chip or wear down after a number of years, and in some cases, a grey line may appear at the gum level. Zirconia is generally the more durable and longer-lasting of the two options, whereas PFM has a long history of use and can be an appropriate choice in certain bite conditions. Your dentist will be able to advise you on which material is suitable for your particular tooth position and bite pattern.
A same-day crown lasts just as well as a traditional one. The difference lies in how each is made, not in how long it lasts. A same-day crown is designed and milled in the office from a digital scan, so you leave with it in one visit. A traditional crown is custom-made at a dental lab over one to two weeks, so you wear a temporary crown in the meantime. If your bite is complex or your crown needs extra shading to match your smile, your dentist may recommend the lab-made option. At Magnolia Dental in Parker, CO, we offer same-day crowns as well as traditional crowns. Ask our dentist which approach suits your tooth best.
Most dental insurance plans classify crowns as major restorative work and cover part of the cost, usually less than for fillings or cleanings, after you meet your deductible and yearly limit. Coverage often depends on whether the crown is medically needed, such as after a root canal or for a broken tooth, or mainly for cosmetic reasons. Since plans vary, ask your dental office to check your benefits before treatment so you know your costs. Most offices provide pre-treatment estimates with no obligation.
Magnolia Dental in Parker, CO, can make and place a same-day crown in one visit, usually about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the tooth. This means you don’t have to wait with a temporary crown like at most offices. They are located at 9328 S Jordan Rd and welcome patients from Parker and nearby areas. If you consider other offices, ask if they make crowns in-house or send them to a lab, as this affects how many visits you need. To schedule a same-day crown, call (720) 647-9880.