Save & Strengthen Your Tooth with a Custom Dental Crown
A damaged tooth doesn’t just hurt, it holds you back. Whether it’s a nagging ache when you enjoy a meal or a chip you feel every time you smile, it’s a constant reminder that something isn’t right.
At Great Basin Dental, Dr. Tony Guillen and Dr. Kristian Sievert see a dental crown as more than a repair. It’s a long-term preservation strategy for your natural tooth. Using high-quality materials and precise craftsmanship, we create custom crowns that fully encase and protect vulnerable teeth.
At our restorative dentistry, we’ll restore the strength you need to eat, laugh, and live without hesitation. Think of a crown as a durable, custom-fitted helmet for your tooth that looks completely natural while doing its vital job.
When a Crown is the Right Call: Protecting What’s Yours
We always choose the most conservative treatment possible. A crown is recommended when a tooth needs significant reinforcement to survive long-term. Common reasons we might suggest a crown include:
- A Tooth Weakened by a Large Filling or Decay: When there’s more filling than tooth left, the structure is at risk of fracturing. A crown encircles the tooth, preventing a split that could lead to an extraction.
- After a Root Canal: A root canal saves your tooth from infection but can leave it brittle. A crown provides essential protection, so you can bite down knowing the tooth is shielded.
- A Cracked or Fractured Tooth: A crack is a ticking clock. A crown holds the tooth together, sealing the fracture and preventing it from spreading deeper, which could cause pain or loss of the tooth.
- A Severely Worn Tooth: From grinding (bruxism) or simply a lifetime of use, a crown can rebuild a tooth to its proper shape and function.
- To Anchor a Dental Bridge: Crowns placed on healthy adjacent teeth can provide stable, non-removable support for a bridge that replaces a missing tooth.
Your Comfortable, Two-Visit Journey to a Stronger Tooth
We’ve streamlined the crown process to be predictable and comfortable, with a clear finish line: a tooth that feels like your own again.
Visit 1: The Thoughtful Preparation
During the first visit, Dr. Guillen or Dr. Sievert will examine your tooth with a digital scan or X-ray, and discuss the plan with you. We believe in “listening first,” so all your questions are answered. If we decide a crown is the best option for you, we’ll move to the next steps:
- Gentle Reshaping: The tooth is gently reshaped to make room for your new crown. You’ll be completely numb and comfortable. This step ensures your crown will fit seamlessly without feeling bulky.
- Precision Digital Impressions: We use an intraoral scanner to take a perfect digital map of your tooth. As a modern dentistry, we don’t use goopy and messy impressions. We then send the digital impressions to our dental lab where they’ll handcraft your crown.
- Your Temporary Crown: Before you leave, we’ll place a sturdy temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth. We’ll make sure your bite feels right.
Visit 2: The Perfect Fit
In about two weeks, your custom crown is ready. We’ll remove the temporary, ensure the permanent crown’s fit, color, and bite are flawless, and then bond it securely into place. You’ll walk out with a fully restored and perfectly functional tooth!
Caring for Your New Crown: Simple Steps for a Long Lifespan
A crown is a long-term investment in your smile. Partner with us to make it last for years with these easy steps:
- Maintain Your Excellent Hygiene: Brush and floss normally, paying a little extra attention to the area where the crown meets your gumline. This prevents decay at the margin.
- Be Mindful of Extreme Forces: While strong, crowns aren’t designed to open bottles or crack nutshells. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard from our Reno office is the best way to protect your crown and your natural teeth.
- Keep Your Regular Check-Ups: At your cleanings and exams, we’ll check the crown’s integrity and the health of the surrounding tissue. This proactive care helps catch any minor issues long before they become real problems.
Dental Crown FAQs
What are your crowns made of?
We primarily use high-strength, tooth-colored materials like porcelain and zirconia. We choose these for their superior durability and their ability to mimic the light-reflecting quality of natural enamel, ensuring a seamless match with your smile. Our dentists save metal alloys for specific, out-of-sight situations.
Will it be obvious that I have a crown?
Not if we do our job right. Our goal is aesthetic integration. We meticulously select a shade and shape that blends with your surrounding teeth. In Dr. Sievert’s words, we want it to look “like it belongs there, ready for whatever adventure comes next.”
Is getting a crown painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain. You may feel pressure, but not discomfort. Afterward, some mild sensitivity is normal for a few days as the tooth settles.
How long will my dental crown last?
With proper care, a high-quality dental crown can last 10 to 15 years, often longer. Its lifespan depends on your oral hygiene, habits (like grinding), and regular professional care. We build them to last in our active Reno community.
Can I get a crown if I have gum disease?
We must address gum disease first. A stable, healthy foundation is non-negotiable for the long-term success of any restoration. We will recommend treatment to get your gums healthy before proceeding with a crown.
What’s the difference between a crown and a filling?
A filling repairs a hole in a tooth. A crown encases and protects the entire visible portion of a tooth that is too damaged, weak, or broken to support a filling. It’s a solution for a higher level of damage.
What if my crown comes off?
This is uncommon with modern dental cement, but it can happen. If it does, keep the crown safe and call us immediately. Do not try to glue it back yourself. We can almost always re-cement it securely.
Does insurance cover dental crowns?
Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for crowns when they are medically necessary (e.g., after a root canal, for a large fracture). Our team will help you understand your benefits and provide a clear cost estimate before you begin.
Don’t Wait to Save Your Tooth
A damaged tooth won’t get stronger on its own. Delaying care often leads to more complex and costly problems later. If you’re experiencing pain or have been told you need a crown, let’s craft a solution that protects your natural tooth for the long run.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Guillen or Dr. Sievert at Great Basin Dental. Give us a call at 775-363-9644 or request an appointment online anytime. We’ll provide a clear, honest assessment and a comfortable path to a strong, healthy smile.