Dental Crowns

smiling senior couple

Though enamel is the toughest tissue in our bodies and our teeth are even stronger than our bones, they’re not indestructible. They can take a lot of wear and tear, but eventually, your teeth may chip, crack, or sustain other damage that weakens them. In cases where a tooth is weakened but is healthy enough to avoid extraction, a dental crown may be just what you need to keep your smile strong and healthy. 

Dental Crown Procedure


Dental crowns are like a suit of armor for your teeth. It may sound silly, but that’s exactly what dental crowns do: they serve as a protective shell for a weakened tooth that needs a little extra support to prevent more damage. They can also help to repair and protect teeth that have already broken or worn down by creating a “new tooth” to cover it. 

Crowns are also a great option for those who want to improve the visual aspects of their smile as well as the health and strength of their teeth. When cemented to an existing tooth that may be misshapen, worn down, or otherwise flawed, a dental crown can give the appearance of a healthy, white, bright tooth to complete your smile.

Crowns vs. Fillings

A common question we receive at Circle Drive Dental is when a patient would need a crown instead of a filling. In most cases of mild or even moderate damage to your tooth, a filling should probably be enough to repair it. 

However, if a large part of your tooth needs repairing, it may be too big of a job for a filling. A filling that’s too large can cause its own issues, so the safer route would be to install a crown over the top of the tooth to protect it.

Temporary Crowns

While you’re waiting for your custom crown to be fitted, there’s a good chance you’ll receive a temporary crown in the meantime. A temporary crown serves the same purpose as a permanent crown but is less durable and is only meant to last until the permanent one arrives. It’s important to be careful with temporary crowns and take care of them as you would your natural teeth.  

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns are extremely durable and usually last between five and 15 years. If they’re well taken care of, they can even last up to 25 or 30 years, but by then, it’s usually time to repair or replace it. 

Types of Dental Crowns


Ceramic Crowns

The most widely used and recommended, the standard ceramic crown is a porcelain-based material that easily mimics the color of your natural teeth. The ceramic material resists wear and staining, making it a great option to repair your front teeth. 

Porcelain Fused to Metal

Even stronger than ceramic, porcelain fused to metal helps to seal the tooth to protect it from bacteria, fluids, and other decay-causing materials. This type of crown still looks very similar to your natural tooth, though the metal lining may be slightly visible around the gumline. For a natural-looking smile with added durability, this is the perfect option.

Gold and Base Metal Alloy

Made of gold, copper, and other metals, these types of crowns are better suited to back teeth like molars that need some extra power behind their bite. Because they’re entirely metal, gold alloy and base metal alloy crowns are extremely wear-resistant, don’t harm the teeth and gum around them, and provide a lot of added strength and reinforcement. 
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