Dental Crowns in Abilene, Texas

Most dental crowns last ten to fifteen years, and many last considerably longer with good care. Porcelain and zirconia are hard wearing, so the crown itself rarely wears out. What actually ends a crown early is decay at the margin where it meets the natural tooth, or gum disease around that tooth. Nighttime grinding is the other common cause, because clenching puts far more force through a restoration than normal chewing does. Flossing carefully around the crown margin every day, wearing a night guard if you grind, and keeping regular checkups at our Abilene, Texas dental office are what move a crown toward the longer end of that range.

Getting a dental crown does not hurt. The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic before any preparation begins, so you feel pressure and vibration but no pain during the appointment. If the tooth was already aching from deep decay or a crack, most patients find the crown appointment relieves that discomfort rather than adding to it. Mild sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days afterward is normal, particularly while the temporary crown is in place, and it settles as the tooth adjusts. Tell us straight away if anything feels sharp and we will add more anesthetic.

The difference is how much of the tooth is covered and how the force of your bite is handled. A dental filling replaces a small area of missing tooth structure and sits inside the tooth, which works well when most of the natural tooth is still sound. A dental crown covers the whole visible tooth and holds it together from the outside. That distinction matters because a large filling actually wedges a weakened tooth apart under chewing pressure, while a crown binds it. As a general rule, a crown is recommended once the damage covers more than about half the biting surface, once a cusp has fractured, or once the tooth has been root canal treated.

A tooth usually needs a crown after a root canal because the treatment leaves it structurally weakened and prone to splitting. Root canal treatment removes the nerve and blood supply from inside the tooth, so it no longer receives moisture and gradually becomes more brittle. Access to the canals also requires drilling through the biting surface, which removes the very structure that holds the tooth together under pressure. A crown covers and binds what remains, and it is the single biggest factor in whether a root canal treated back tooth survives long term. Front teeth with small access openings sometimes do not need one, and Dr. Christie Leedy will tell you which applies to your tooth.

Dental crowns are made from all ceramic porcelain, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, or gold and other alloys, and the best material depends on where the tooth sits. All ceramic and porcelain crowns give the most natural translucency and are the usual choice for front teeth. Zirconia is extremely strong while still being tooth colored, which makes it a common choice for back teeth and for patients who grind. Porcelain fused to metal pairs a strong metal substructure with a tooth colored surface and has decades of clinical history behind it. Gold and metal alloys remain the most durable option of all and are gentle on the opposing tooth, though they are not tooth colored, so they suit back teeth that do not show. We match the material to the chewing force on that tooth, how visible it is, and your preference.

Dental crowns are usually classed as a restorative rather than a cosmetic procedure, so many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage when a crown is needed to save a damaged or root canal treated tooth. The amount depends on your plan, any waiting period, and your annual maximum, and a crown placed purely to change the appearance of a healthy tooth is generally not covered. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins so you know what to expect. To book a dental crown appointment in Abilene, Texas, call 325-692-3344 or visit Abilene Dental at 5309 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas 79606, open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.