Dental Crowns in Denver, CO

On the football field, players wear helmets for one simple reason: protection. Helmets shield the head from impact, allowing athletes to stay safe while staying in the game. Over time, that protective gear takes a beating. It absorbs hits, endures rough conditions, and prevents lasting damage. Dental crowns work similarly. Just like a helmet safeguards a player, a dental crown protects a vulnerable tooth from daily wear and tear.

Every time you bite or chew, your teeth handle significant pressure. If a tooth is weak due to decay, a crack, or a large filling, it’s more likely to break or deteriorate further. A dental crown covers the tooth like a helmet, sealing it off, restoring its strength, and helping it function normally again.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a cap that a dentist places over a weak or damaged tooth. It covers the portion of the tooth above the gum line, restoring its structure, shape, and strength.

Dr. Rice may suggest a crown if you have decay that’s too extensive for a filling, or if your tooth is worn down or cracked, or to provide extra protection after a root canal.

Traditional crowns are completely customized and can be crafted from materials such as porcelain, zirconia, metal, or a combination of materials. Porcelain and zirconia offer a natural appearance, making them ideal for front teeth. With today’s tooth-like materials, dental crowns often serve a dual purpose: strengthening a damaged or at-risk tooth while enhancing its appearance.

For back teeth, where chewing pressure is highest, durability takes priority. Metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are often recommended for their added strength and long-term reliability.

No matter the material or location, the goal of a crown is the same: to restore and protect your tooth so it can function properly and last as long as possible.

Implant-Supported Dental Crowns: A Solution for Missing Teeth

If you’re missing a tooth entirely, an implant-supported crown may be the best solution. Instead of sitting on top of an existing tooth, Dr. Rice attaches the crown to a dental implant. An implant is a small titanium post that Dr. Rice places into the jawbone where the tooth’s root used to be. This post acts as an anchor for the crown, providing strong support.

Not only does an implant-supported crown fill the gap in your smile, but it also protects your long-term bone health. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone beneath it loses the regular stimulation it needs to stay healthy. Without the pressure that comes from chewing, the bone can gradually shrink (a process known as bone resorption). Over time, this can lead to changes in your face’s shape and your bite alignment. A dental implant stimulates the surrounding bone, which helps maintain bone density and prevent bone loss.

Because an implant is embedded in the bone, just like a root, it’s the only tooth replacement option that has these long-term benefits.

If you’re missing a tooth, an implant-supported crown can restore it in a way that feels natural and secure. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, it doesn’t require support from nearby teeth, making it a more independent and long-lasting option.

However, not everyone is a good candidate for traditional dental implants. That’s why Dr. Rice offers both traditional and mini dental implants. Mini implants are thinner than traditional implants, making them a good choice for patients with bone loss or those who want a less invasive procedure. Because they are smaller, Dr. Rice can generally place mini implants in a single visit using a gentle technique. They also heal much quicker, creating a faster path to tooth replacement.

The Crown Placement Process

For a traditional crown, the process typically involves two visits:

• Tooth preparation: Dr. Rice reshapes the damaged tooth to make room for the crown and takes impressions.
• Temporary crown: Dr. Rice places a temporary crown to protect your tooth while the dental lab makes your custom crown.
• Final placement: Once your custom crown is ready, Dr. Rice cements it in place for a secure and natural fit.

For an implant-supported crown, the steps include:

• Implant placement: Dr. Rice gently inserts the implant into the jawbone and attaches a temporary crown.
• Healing period: The bone heals around the implant, securing it in place. For a traditional implant, this process can take several months. For a minimally invasive mini implant, healing can take a few weeks.
• Crown attachment: Dr. Rice connects the final custom crown to the implant, restoring full function and completing your smile.

After either procedure, we’ll provide guidance on how to care for your crown. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, crowns can last many years!

Protect Your Smile With a Custom Dental Crown

Just like a helmet protects an athlete and keeps them in the game, a dental crown protects your tooth so it can keep doing its job. If your tooth is worn down, broken, or missing, a crown can restore how it looks and works.

At Donald Rice, DDS, we offer personalized treatment options (including traditional and implant-supported crowns) to help you maintain a healthy, stable smile. If you’re ready to take care of a problem tooth or fill a gap in your smile, we’re here to help. Schedule a visit today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions