Dental Crowns

Acting much like a helmet on your head, protective dental crowns are put in place by our West Michigan dentists to cover all that you can see above the gum line after treatment for decay, erosion, or injury. We primarily offer porcelain crowns for patients as they blend in seamlessly with surrounding teeth and lend appropriate strength to any tooth in need.

Here’s when a dental crown is needed as well as how one can help your smile.

An Overview of the Dental Crown Process

During your first appointment, our dentists will remove a minimal amount of enamel to allow for a comfortable fit once the incoming dental crown is placed over the tooth. Next, we will take digital impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. Since it takes a few weeks for your porcelain crown to be made, our dentists will place a temporary crown to shield the vulnerable tooth while you wait.

A few weeks later, you’ll return to one of our West Michigan dental offices to have your temporary crown replaced with the permanent one. Before placing your permanent dental crown, our dentists will check the fit, size, and color. Once we’re satisfied with how your tooth crown looks, it will be cemented in place.

No matter if your crown is temporary or permanent, we recommend being careful around:

• Ice cubes (chewing on them)
• Whole, hard nut mixes
• Popcorn with kernels
• Very sticky treats like caramel or taffy

Dental Crowns FAQ