Dental Crowns

• • Protecting a weakened tooth from further damage

• • Restoring a broken or severely worn tooth

• • Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t much tooth left

• • Holding a dental bridge in place

• • Covering misshapen or severely discolored teeth

• • Covering a dental implant

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns offer numerous benefits, making them a popular choice for restorative dental treatment:

• • Protection and Strength: Crowns provide a protective barrier for damaged or weakened teeth, preventing further deterioration and restoring the tooth’s strength.

• • Natural Appearance: Custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, crowns offer a seamless, natural-looking restoration.

• • Durability: Made from high-quality materials, dental crowns are designed to withstand the forces of chewing and biting, providing long-lasting durability.

• • Improved Function: Crowns restore the functionality of damaged teeth, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.

• • Versatility: Dental crowns can address a wide range of dental issues, making them a versatile solution for restoring and enhancing your smile.

The Dental Crown Process

The process of getting a dental crown at Dental Partners of Creve Coeur involves several steps to ensure a precise fit and optimal results:

1. 1. Initial Consultation: During your initial consultation, Dr. Singh will evaluate your oral health, discuss your treatment goals, and determine if a dental crown is the right solution for you. We will take digital X-rays and impressions of your teeth to create a detailed treatment plan.
   2. Tooth Preparation: The tooth receiving the crown will be prepared by removing a small amount of enamel to create space for the crown. If the tooth is severely damaged or decayed, it may require additional treatment, such as a root canal, before placing the crown.
   3. Impressions: After preparing the tooth, we will take precise impressions of your teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory, where your custom crown will be fabricated to match the exact color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
   4. Temporary Crown: While your custom crown is being made, a temporary crown will be placed to protect the prepared tooth. This temporary crown allows you to continue normal function and maintain the appearance of your smile.
   5. Crown Placement: Once your custom crown is ready, you will return to our office for the final placement. Dr. Singh will remove the temporary crown, check the fit and color of the permanent crown, and make any necessary adjustments. The crown is then securely bonded to your tooth using a strong dental adhesive.
   6. Final Adjustments: After the crown is placed, Dr. Singh will make any final adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite and natural appearance. You will leave our office with a fully restored, beautiful smile.

Caring for Your Dental Crowns

Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity and appearance of your dental crowns. Here are some tips for caring for your crowns:

• • Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Pay special attention to the area around the crown to prevent plaque buildup.

• • Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: Be cautious when eating hard or sticky foods that could damage or dislodge your crown. Avoid chewing on ice, hard candies, or other hard objects.

• • Regular Dental Check-Ups: Visit Dental Partners of Creve Coeur regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Dr. Singh will monitor the condition of your crown and address any issues promptly.

• • Address Bruxism: If you grind or clench your teeth, consider using a nightguard to protect your crowns and natural teeth from excessive wear.

Is a Dental Crown Right for You?

Dental crowns are an excellent solution for many patients with damaged or weakened teeth. During your consultation, Dr. Singh will assess your specific dental needs and discuss the benefits and potential challenges of getting a crown. Ideal candidates for dental crowns typically have:

• • A tooth that is cracked, broken, or severely worn down

• • A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy

• • A large cavity that cannot be effectively treated with a filling

• • A dental implant that requires a prosthetic crown

• • Aesthetic concerns, such as misshapen or discolored teeth

Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation

If you’re ready to restore and protect your teeth with high-quality dental crowns, contact Dental Partners of Creve Coeur to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sartaj Singh. Our team is here to guide you through the process and provide you with the highest quality care. Discover the benefits of dental crowns and achieve a healthy, beautiful smile today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns

What is a dental crown and when do I need one?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. You typically need one when a tooth is cracked, broken, or severely worn, when a cavity is too large for a filling to reliably repair, after a root canal to protect the treated tooth, or to cover a dental implant. Dr. Singh will recommend a crown only when it’s genuinely the right solution for what’s happening with your tooth.

What materials are dental crowns made from?

Crowns can be made from several materials including porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of porcelain fused to metal. Tooth-colored porcelain and ceramic crowns are the most common choice for visible teeth because they closely mimic the appearance of natural enamel. Metal crowns are extremely durable and are sometimes recommended for back molars where strength under chewing pressure is the priority and appearance is less of a concern. Dr. Singh will discuss the best material option for your specific tooth and situation at your consultation.

How long does it take to get a dental crown?

Getting a crown typically requires two appointments. At the first visit, Dr. Singh prepares the tooth by reshaping it to accommodate the crown, takes precise impressions, and places a temporary crown to protect the tooth while your permanent one is being fabricated at the dental lab. You return a couple of weeks later for the final placement, where Dr. Singh checks the fit and color, makes any necessary adjustments, and bonds the crown permanently into place. The second appointment is usually quick and straightforward.

Is getting a dental crown painful?

The procedure is done under local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the preparation. Dr. Singh is well known for his near-painless injection technique, which makes even that part of the process manageable for most patients. After the appointment, some sensitivity and mild soreness around the tooth and gum tissue is normal for a few days, particularly with the temporary crown in place. Once the permanent crown is seated and your bite is properly adjusted, any lingering sensitivity typically resolves quickly.

How long does a dental crown last?

With proper care, a well-made crown typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and in many cases significantly longer. The lifespan depends on the material used, where the crown is located in the mouth, your oral hygiene habits, and whether you grind your teeth. Dr. Singh checks the condition of existing crowns at every routine visit and will let you know well in advance if one is showing signs of wear or needs attention before it becomes a problem.

Will my crown look natural?

Yes. Crowns placed on visible teeth are custom-fabricated to match the color, shape, and size of your surrounding natural teeth. Dr. Singh takes detailed impressions and color-matches the crown to your existing teeth so the result blends seamlessly. Patients are often surprised by how natural a well-made crown looks, particularly with modern all-ceramic materials that replicate the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel.

How do I take care of my crown? Care for a crown the same way you care for natural teeth: brush twice a day, floss daily paying close attention to the gum line around the crown, and come in for your regular cleanings. Avoid biting directly into very hard foods like ice or hard candy, and if you grind your teeth at night, Dr. Singh will likely recommend a custom night guard to protect both your crown and your natural teeth from excessive wear. With consistent care, your crown should give you many years of reliable function.

Is a dental crown covered by insurance?

Crowns placed for restorative reasons are typically covered at least partially by most dental insurance plans, usually at 50% after your deductible, though the specifics vary by plan. Plans generally require that the tooth meets clinical criteria for a crown rather than a simpler restoration, which Dr. Singh will document clearly. Crowns placed purely for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered. Call our office at (314) 432-0960 before your appointment and our team will verify your benefits and walk you through your expected out-of-pocket costs.