Dental Crowns

A damaged, cracked, weakened, or badly decayed tooth does not always need to be removed. In many cases, a dental crown can protect the remaining tooth structure while restoring its shape, strength, and appearance.

At Heidi Sprowls, DDS, we provide customized dental crowns for patients in Centerville, Dayton, and surrounding communities. Dr. Sprowls will examine your tooth, explain your treatment options, and help you determine whether a crown is the right restoration for your needs.

Our goal is to create a crown that is comfortable, functional, and natural-looking while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown, sometimes called a “cap,” is a custom-made restoration that covers the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth.

A crown can restore the tooth's shape and function while providing protection against additional damage. Depending on the location of the tooth, your bite, your dental needs, and your aesthetic goals, different crown materials may be appropriate.

Modern dental crowns can be designed to closely resemble natural teeth, making them an option for both functional and cosmetic tooth restoration.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown?

A crown may be recommended when a tooth needs more protection than a filling can provide.

Some common reasons for a dental crown include:

• A tooth that is cracked or fractured

• A tooth with significant decay

• A tooth weakened by a large filling

• A tooth that has lost substantial structure

• A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment

• A severely worn or misshapen tooth

• Replacing a damaged or failing crown

• Restoring an implant-supported tooth

Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. In some cases, a filling, bonding, inlay, onlay, or another treatment may be more conservative.

Dr. Sprowls will evaluate the condition of your tooth and discuss the options that make sense for you.

Tooth-Colored and Porcelain Dental Crowns

For many patients, appearance is an important part of choosing a dental crown.

Tooth-colored crowns can be designed to blend with the surrounding teeth. Porcelain and ceramic materials can provide a natural appearance, while other materials may be selected when strength and other functional considerations are more important.

The best material depends on factors such as:

• Which tooth needs the crown

• How much tooth structure remains

• Your bite and chewing forces

• The appearance you want to achieve

• Whether the tooth is in the front or back of your mouth

• Your overall dental health

Rather than choosing a crown material based on appearance alone, we consider how the restoration needs to function in your individual mouth.

Dental Crown Procedure

Getting a dental crown generally involves several steps.

1. Examination and Treatment Planning

Your appointment begins with an evaluation of the tooth and surrounding structures. Dr. Sprowls will determine whether a crown is appropriate and discuss the available options with you.

If there are other dental concerns affecting the tooth, those may need to be addressed before the crown is placed.

2. Preparing the Tooth

If a crown is recommended, the tooth is carefully prepared so the restoration can fit properly.

The amount of tooth structure that needs to be removed depends on the condition of the tooth and the type of restoration being used. We focus on preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible.

3. Digital Impression

Instead of using traditional putty impressions, our office can use an intraoral scanner to create a digital 3D impression of your teeth.

The scanner allows us to capture detailed information about your teeth and send the digital information to the dental laboratory where your crown is fabricated.

4. Your Temporary Crown

Depending on your treatment, a temporary restoration may be placed while your permanent crown is being made.

Your temporary crown helps protect the prepared tooth and allows you to continue using your smile while your permanent restoration is being completed.

5. Placement of Your Permanent Crown

When your permanent crown is ready, you will return to our office so we can check its fit, appearance, and bite.

Once everything is satisfactory, the crown is securely bonded or cemented into place.

How Long Does a Dental Crown Take?

The timeline depends on the tooth, the type of crown, and whether additional treatment is necessary.

Many traditional crown treatments require more than one appointment because the permanent crown is custom-made by a dental laboratory.

During your consultation, we can explain how many appointments your particular treatment is likely to require.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

A dental crown can provide many years of service, but no restoration lasts forever.

How long a crown lasts depends on factors such as the material, location of the tooth, your bite, oral hygiene, gum health, and habits such as teeth grinding or clenching.

Taking care of your crown just as you care for your natural teeth and maintaining regular dental examinations can help extend its useful life.

If you notice a crown becoming loose, cracked, uncomfortable, or sensitive, contact our office so we can evaluate it.

Are Dental Crowns Painful?

The tooth is typically numbed with local anesthetic during crown preparation, so you should not feel pain during the procedure.

It is normal for a newly prepared or restored tooth to have some sensitivity or tenderness afterward. This generally improves as the tooth and surrounding tissues adjust.

If you experience significant, persistent, or worsening pain after a crown procedure, contact our office so we can determine what is causing it.

If you feel nervous about dental treatment, please tell us. We can discuss ways to make your appointment more comfortable.

Dental Crowns After a Root Canal

A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment may need additional protection because a significant amount of tooth structure may have been lost.

In appropriate cases, a crown can cover and protect the remaining tooth structure after root canal treatment.

Whether a crown is needed depends on the individual tooth, how much structure remains, and other factors. We will evaluate your tooth and explain the recommended treatment.

Dental Crown vs. Filling

A filling and a crown serve different purposes.

A filling is generally used to repair a smaller area of tooth damage or decay. A crown covers a larger portion of the tooth and may be recommended when the remaining tooth structure needs additional protection.

If you have a large filling that is failing or a tooth that has become cracked or weakened, a crown may be a better option than simply replacing the filling.

The most conservative treatment is not always the same for every tooth. Our goal is to recommend the treatment that provides appropriate protection while preserving healthy tooth structure.

Dental Crowns vs. Veneers

Crowns and veneers are both used to improve the appearance of teeth, but they are designed for different purposes.

A veneer covers the front surface of a tooth and is primarily used for certain cosmetic concerns. A crown covers the visible portion of a tooth and is generally used when a tooth needs greater structural protection.

If your primary concern is cosmetic, you may have several options, including bonding, veneers, or a crown depending on the condition of the tooth.

Dr. Sprowls can explain which treatment is appropriate for your particular situation.

How Do You Care for a Dental Crown?

Your crown should be cared for much like your natural teeth.

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

• Clean between your teeth every day.

• Continue regular dental examinations and cleanings.

• Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard objects.

• Tell us if you grind or clench your teeth.

• Contact us if your crown becomes loose, damaged, or uncomfortable.

A crown protects the tooth, but the tooth and the surrounding gums still need regular care.

What If My Dental Crown Falls Out?

If your crown becomes loose or falls out, contact our office.

Keep the crown if you still have it and bring it with you to your appointment. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth until it has been evaluated.

A loose crown does not necessarily mean the tooth needs to be removed. We will examine the crown and the underlying tooth to determine what treatment is appropriate.

Dental Crowns in Centerville, OH

Looking for a dentist for dental crowns near Centerville or Dayton?

Heidi Sprowls, DDS provides restorative and cosmetic dental care for patients in Centerville and surrounding communities. Our office is located at 7083 Corporate Way in Centerville, Ohio.

Dr. Sprowls has been serving patients in the Centerville and Dayton area for more than 20 years. Our practice takes a personalized approach to restorative treatment, with an emphasis on helping patients understand their options and feel comfortable throughout the process.

Whether you have a cracked tooth, a large filling that needs to be replaced, a tooth that has been weakened by decay, or a crown that needs to be evaluated, we can help you understand your options.

Schedule a Dental Crown Consultation in Centerville

If you have a damaged, weakened, cracked, or heavily restored tooth, don't wait until it becomes an emergency.

Contact Heidi Sprowls, DDS to schedule an evaluation and learn whether a dental crown or another restoration is right for you.

Heidi Sprowls, DDS
7083 Corporate Way
Centerville, OH 45459
937-434-1151