Looking for a crown but have some concerns?
Let us help!
Crowns should last you several years, so it’s worth understanding your options first. At Highlight Dental Studio, we’ll walk you through everything and make sure your questions are answered before you decide.
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a custom “cap” that covers a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. When a tooth has a large filling, a crack, heavy wear, or has had a root canal, a crown protects what’s left of the natural tooth so you can chew and smile comfortably. We use tooth-colored porcelain crowns designed to blend in with the teeth around them
When you might need a crown
- Tooth that’s cracked, broken, or badly worn
- Cavity that’s too large for a filling to hold
- Tooth that’s had a root canal
- Older crown or large filling that needs replacing
- Discolored or misshapen tooth you’d like to improve cosmetically
Crown vs filling: what's the difference?
A filling repairs a small area of a tooth. A crown covers and reinforces the whole tooth when there isn’t enough healthy structure left for a filling to hold up well. If a tooth is cracked or a cavity is large, a crown often protects it better over the long run. We’ll always recommend the most conservative option that will actually last and explain why.
A crown that looks like your own tooth
Because Highlight Dental Studio is a cosmetic-focused practice, we care deeply about how your crown looks, not just how it works. Dr. Kristi Kim is detail-oriented about matching the shade, shape, and translucency of a porcelain crown to your natural teeth – especially on front teeth, where appearance matters most. The goal is a crown no one can pick out.
How the crown process works
We start by checking the tooth and talking through your options. If a crown is the right call, we gently prepare the tooth, take a 3D scan or impression, and send it to the lab to craft your crown. You’ll wear a temporary crown in the meantime.
At your next visit, we check the fit and bite, make any adjustments, and bond the final crown in place. Most crowns are completed in about two visits.
How long crowns last and how to care for them
A well-made crown can last many years. Like your natural teeth, crowns last longest when you brush and floss daily, keep up with cleanings, and avoid chewing very hard objects. If you clench or grind at night, a nightguard can help protect both your crown and your natural teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Are crowns painful?
The tooth is numbed for the procedure, and most patients are comfortable throughout. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually settles within a few days.
How long does a crown last?
With good care, crowns commonly last many years. Daily brushing and flossing, regular checkups, and a nightguard if you grind all help them last longer.
Crown or veneer: what’s the difference?
A veneer covers just the front of a tooth for cosmetic reasons; a crown covers the whole tooth to restore strength when it’s damaged. We’ll recommend whichever fits your situation.
Will my crown match my other teeth?
That’s the goal! We choose a porcelain shade and shape to blend with your surrounding teeth, especially up front.
Can a crown get a cavity?
The crown itself can’t decay, but the natural tooth underneath still can at the edges. Daily cleaning and regular checkups matter.