13020 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Suite 102 Avondale, AZ 85392
Serving Avondale and the West Valley
Serving Avondale and the West Valley
A healthy, confident smile depends on both form and function. Crowns play a central role in preserving teeth that are weakened, misshapen, or cosmetically compromised—rebuilding strength while restoring a natural appearance. This page explains when crowns are recommended, what materials and techniques are available, and how our team approaches care to deliver durable, attractive results.
At Summit Family Dentistry, we combine clinical experience with modern materials and digital tools to plan restorations that meet each patient's goals. Below you’ll find clear, patient-friendly information to help you understand whether a crown might be the right choice for your situation and what to expect from treatment.
Not every damaged tooth can be repaired effectively with a filling. When decay is extensive, a tooth has a large existing restoration, or a fracture compromises structural integrity, a crown often becomes the best option. Crowns completely cover the visible portion of the tooth, redistributing biting forces and protecting remaining natural structure from further damage.
Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, or those subject to heavy wear from clenching and grinding, are also common candidates for crowns. In these cases, the inner tooth can be prone to breaking under normal chewing forces, and a full-coverage restoration helps restore predictable function and comfort.
Crowns also serve restorative roles beyond single-tooth repair: they anchor bridges, cap dental implants, and can cosmetically correct severely discolored or misshapen teeth. Your dentist will evaluate the tooth’s remaining structure, your bite, and aesthetic goals to determine whether a crown is the most reliable long-term solution.
A primary goal of a crown is to return a tooth to full working order. By encasing the tooth, a crown stabilizes weakened areas, reduces sensitivity, and prevents cracks from propagating. The result is a restored chewing surface that feels, looks, and performs much like a natural tooth.
Beyond the single-tooth level, crowns can improve overall oral function. Properly designed restorations help maintain correct bite relationships, support adjacent teeth, and preserve jaw alignment. When crowns are used on implants or as part of a bridge, they also play a key role in replacing missing teeth and restoring a full, functional arch.
Comfort and predictability are part of the equation as well. A well-made crown eliminates the sharp edges or uneven surfaces that can irritate soft tissues and enables patients to eat and speak confidently. Your dentist will tailor the restoration to balance durability with a natural feel suited to your daily habits.
Crowns are now crafted from a variety of materials that offer different blends of strength, translucency, and wear characteristics. Modern ceramics can mimic the light-transmitting properties of natural enamel, producing highly esthetic results for front teeth. More robust ceramic and hybrid materials provide added strength for back teeth where chewing forces are greater.
The choice of material depends on several factors: the tooth’s location, your bite forces, the amount of remaining natural tooth, and your aesthetic priorities. For example, a crown on a visible front tooth often emphasizes lifelike color and translucency, while a crown on a molar prioritizes long-term durability under heavy function.
Your dentist will explain the advantages of each option and recommend the material that best balances appearance and performance for your individual case. Advances in dental ceramics and computer-aided manufacturing have made it easier than ever to achieve restorations that are both strong and visually harmonious with surrounding teeth.
The crown journey begins with a comprehensive exam and discussion of your goals. Your dentist will assess the tooth, take X-rays or digital scans, and discuss whether additional treatments—such as a buildup for support or treatment for gum health—are needed before proceeding. Careful planning sets the stage for a predictable outcome.
Preparation typically involves shaping the tooth so the crown can fit precisely while maintaining a healthy margin at the gumline. Impressions or a digital scan capture the prepared tooth and surrounding bite. Many practices now use computer-aided design and milling to create crowns with excellent fit and contour, though some cases still involve custom lab fabrication for optimal esthetics.
While a permanent crown is being made, a temporary restoration protects the tooth and maintains appearance. At the follow-up visit the permanent crown is tried in, adjusted for bite and comfort, and then cemented into place. Your dentist will confirm that the restoration functions smoothly with your bite and matches the shade and shape of adjacent teeth.
Crowns are designed to be long-lasting, but they require the same attention as natural teeth. Daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush, regular flossing, and routine dental checkups help prevent decay at the crown’s margins and protect supporting gum tissue. Good oral hygiene keeps the surrounding structures healthy and preserves the restoration.
It’s also important to avoid habits that place excessive stress on restorations—such as chewing on ice, opening packages with teeth, or persistent nail-biting. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may recommend protective measures, like a nightguard, to reduce wear and protect both crowns and natural teeth.
If you notice persistent sensitivity, looseness, roughness, or a change in how a crowned tooth feels when you bite, contact the dental team promptly. Timely attention to small issues can prevent more extensive problems and keep your restoration performing well for years.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the visible portion of a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns encase weakened or damaged teeth to protect them from further decay, fracture, or wear while restoring normal chewing function. They are crafted to match adjacent teeth so they blend with your smile.
Crowns can be placed on natural teeth after restorative work or on implant abutments to replace missing teeth. Because they fully cover the prepared tooth, crowns redistribute biting forces and reduce the risk of future structural failure. The result is a functional restoration that also addresses cosmetic concerns when needed.
A crown is recommended when a filling is no longer adequate to restore a tooth’s form and function, such as with extensive decay, large existing restorations, or root canal-treated teeth. Teeth that are fractured, severely worn from grinding, or badly misshapen for aesthetic reasons are also common candidates for crowns. Your dentist evaluates the amount of remaining tooth structure and the tooth’s role in your bite to determine whether a crown is the most reliable option.
Crowns are also used to anchor dental bridges and to cap implant abutments when replacing missing teeth. In restorative planning, clinicians consider neighboring teeth, gum health, and occlusion to ensure the crown will perform predictably. A crown is chosen when the long-term preservation of the tooth and the surrounding structures is the priority.
Crowns are made from several materials, each offering different strengths and esthetic qualities. All-ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-ceramic crowns are popular for front teeth because they mimic natural enamel translucency, while zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal options provide extra durability for molars that endure higher chewing forces. Hybrid materials and layered ceramics aim to balance toughness with lifelike appearance.
The choice of material depends on the tooth’s location, your bite dynamics, and aesthetic priorities, as well as the amount of remaining natural tooth structure. Your dentist will explain trade-offs such as translucency versus strength and select a material that meets both functional and cosmetic goals. Advances in digital design and milling have improved the fit and appearance of many modern crown materials.
Planning begins with a thorough exam, X-rays or digital scans, and a discussion of goals and options. At Summit Family Dentistry the team evaluates the tooth’s remaining structure, gum health, and occlusion to decide if a buildup, core, or root canal therapy is needed before crown placement. Accurate records and impressions or digital scans guide laboratory or chairside fabrication for an optimal fit.
Preparation involves shaping the tooth to create room for the crown while preserving healthy margins at the gumline and maintaining proper bite relationships. A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth while the permanent restoration is fabricated, and bite adjustments are checked at the delivery appointment. Careful planning and communication ensure the final crown balances comfort, function, and appearance.
During the preparation visit the dentist numbs the area, removes any decay or old restoration material, and shapes the tooth so the crown can seat properly. Digital scans or traditional impressions capture the prepared tooth and opposing bite, and a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent restoration is made. Patients are instructed on temporary care and what to expect between visits.
At the delivery appointment the temporary is removed, the permanent crown is tried in, and adjustments are made to ensure a comfortable bite and proper contact with neighboring teeth. Once fit, occlusion, and esthetics are confirmed, the crown is cemented or bonded into place and bite is rechecked. The dentist will review home care and any behaviors to avoid while the restoration settles.
Caring for a crowned tooth mirrors the routine for natural teeth and includes brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled brush, flossing carefully at the crown margins, and attending regular dental checkups. Keeping gum tissue healthy around the crown prevents decay at the restoration’s edge and helps maintain a strong foundation. Avoiding hard or sticky habits that place excessive force on the crown reduces the risk of chipping or dislodgement.
If you grind or clench your teeth, discussing protective options such as a nightguard with your dentist can significantly reduce wear on both crowns and natural teeth. Promptly report any persistent sensitivity, looseness, rough spots, or changes in bite so the team can evaluate and address issues early. With attentive care, many crowns provide years of reliable service while protecting the underlying tooth.
If a crowned tooth becomes painful, loose, or shows signs of infection, prompt evaluation is important to prevent more extensive treatment. Regular examinations allow dentists to detect early issues such as marginal gaps, wear, or gum recession. Proactive monitoring and timely interventions preserve both the restoration and the health of the supporting tooth.
Yes, crowns are frequently used to restore implant-supported abutments and to complete fixed bridges between teeth. An implant crown attaches to an implant abutment to replace a single missing tooth with a restoration that functions much like a natural tooth. When replacing multiple adjacent teeth, crowns can be connected in a bridge that spans the gap and is supported by natural teeth or implants.
Restorations on implants require careful planning to achieve proper emergence profile, occlusion, and esthetics, and they depend on healthy surrounding tissues and sufficient bone support. Your dentist will determine whether an implant crown or bridge is appropriate based on clinical and radiographic findings. Coordination between surgical and restorative phases ensures the final prosthesis is durable and well integrated.
Crowns can last many years when properly maintained, with longevity influenced by material choice, oral hygiene, bite forces, and parafunctional habits like grinding. Ceramic and metal-based crowns each have different wear characteristics, and the amount of remaining tooth structure under the crown affects how well the restoration resists fracture. Regular dental visits and good home care are key factors in extending the life of a crown.
Other factors that influence longevity include the precision of the fit, the quality of the cementation, and how well the crown distributes chewing forces. Addressing bite imbalances, replacing worn opposing teeth, and protecting the restoration from trauma help preserve function. When maintenance needs arise, early repairs or adjustments can often prevent more extensive treatment later.
Before treatment, ask about the reasons a crown is recommended, the available material options and their pros and cons, and any preparatory procedures that may be needed. Inquire about what to expect during and after the procedure, how the temporary restoration will be managed, and what follow-up care will include. Understanding how the crown will fit into your overall oral health plan helps set realistic expectations.
You may also ask about the steps taken to ensure esthetics and function, such as shade matching, digital design, or lab fabrication processes, and about measures to protect the restoration from wear or damage. If you have habits like clenching or grinding, discuss protective strategies to safeguard the crown. Clear communication with your dentist ensures the chosen solution aligns with your goals for comfort, appearance, and long-term oral health.
Ready to schedule your next appointment or have questions about our services? Our friendly team is here to help with everything from booking visits to answering questions about your treatment options. We’re committed to making the process simple and stress-free.
Whether you prefer to give us a call or fill out our convenient online contact form, reaching us is quick and easy. Don’t wait to take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile—contact Summit Family Dentistry today!
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