--- title: "Porcelain Crowns Wildwood, MO | Natural-Looking Restorations" description: "Restore your smile with porcelain crowns at Town Center Dental in Wildwood, MO. Durable, natural-looking restorations for front teeth. Call today!" url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/porcelain-crown publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- ![A treatment room with an intraoral scanner at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/_astro/scanner-operatory.DBMxNAgi_1SmOoK.avif) # Porcelain Crown A porcelain crown is a tooth-colored cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size and strength. The right type depends on the tooth, your bite and your goals. Your dentist examines the tooth, explains your material options, and tells you what to expect at each visit. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866) ## Why crowns are used A crown can strengthen a tooth with a large filling, protect a weak tooth, restore a broken one, or cover an implant. ## Material depends on the tooth Crowns are made of resin, metal, porcelain and other materials. The right one depends on your tooth and your needs. ## A temporary comes first While a lab makes your crown, your dentist places a temporary one to protect the tooth. ## Some sensitivity can follow Cleveland Clinic says some sensitivity, often to heat and cold, can last a couple of weeks after a crown is placed. Porcelain crowns are renowned for their authentic appearance. They have the translucency of real teeth and can restore a smile to its former glow. Different types of porcelain vary in durability; some may be less durable than other crowns, and prone to chipping or cracking. Porcelain is regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing crown available because they look like natural teeth. ## Advantages of porcelain crowns Porcelain crowns are a translucent durable material. Generally, crowns that are well cared for can last up to 15 years. They are a highly biocompatible material, while metals like beryllium, chromium, and nickel have been known to cause allergic reactions. Your crowned tooth will be significantly less sensitive to pressure or temperature unless the nerve endings and pulp are still present in the tooth. Most cases of tooth sensitivity on crowned teeth may actually be sensitivity in the adjacent teeth. Any time you have tooth pain or prolonged sensitivity, it is important that you visit us for an examination. ## Disadvantages of porcelain crowns Porcelain crowns can vary in durability depending on the porcelain type. Porcelain crowns are vulnerable to fractures or cracking. Because they are less durable than other crowns, porcelain crowns are not usually recommended for back teeth or molars. These teeth are usually made for anterior (front) use and can be used in conjunction with veneers. ## Procedure for making a porcelain crown It can take up to two sessions for a porcelain crown to be fully installed. The full process can take two to four weeks. You will need a consultation appointment where our dentist will examine your teeth. We will take X-rays of your tooth and supporting bone structure. In some cases, the dentist may recommend a root canal if there is a risk of infection, tooth decay, or injury to the tooth’s nerve and soft tissues known as the pulp. If the tooth is severely decayed, an extraction of the tooth may be necessary. In this instance, a bridge or implant will be installed. If the tooth is in good health, it will first be cleaned and reshaped to fit the crown. Metal crowns require less filling than porcelain crowns. When the tooth is shaped and ready, an impression of the tooth will be taken to ensure the crown will properly fit your bite. At this point, your impression will be sent to a dental lab to make the crown. This can take about two to three weeks. In the meantime, the dentist will place a temporary crown over the tooth. In your second visit, the temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and the permanent porcelain crown is cemented into place. Our dentist may use a numbing agent when fitting the crown. Reach out to us at Town Center Dental to discuss a treatment plan. Call us at [636-273-5866](tel:6362735866) for more information. Common crown materials side by side Material Look Things to know Metal (gold or other alloys) Metallic color Rarely chips or breaks, and often used on out-of-sight molars. Porcelain-fused-to-metal Can match your tooth shade The porcelain coating may chip over time, exposing the metal. All-ceramic or porcelain Closest to the look of enamel A good choice if you have metal allergies. Zirconia (a type of ceramic) Tooth-colored Very durable and gentle on opposing teeth. Resin Tooth-colored More fragile; often used for temporary crowns. ## Which tooth is a porcelain crown right for? Your dentist matches the material to the tooth. Cleveland Clinic explains that the kind of crown that is right for you depends on your preferences and your oral health needs. A crown on a front tooth is seen more, so look often matters most. A crown on a back tooth takes heavier biting forces, so strength matters more. That is why a dentist may suggest porcelain for one tooth and a different material for another. Ask what each option means for appearance, strength, and the amount of tooth that must be shaped. Crowns are also used on teeth that had a [root canal](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/root-canal) and on [dental implants](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-implant). If a tooth has a large filling, a crown can hold it together. Read more in our [dental crowns guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-crowns-guide) or the [dental crown page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown). The glossary explains [zirconia](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/zirconia) and [porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/porcelain-fused-to-metal-pfm-crown). ## What happens at each visit? Many crowns take two visits. Your dentist explains the plan before starting. 1. **Exam and x-rays.** The dentist checks the tooth and the bone around it. 2. **Shaping the tooth.** Cleveland Clinic says a crown fits over the entire tooth, so the dentist removes a small amount of enamel first. 3. **Impression or scan.** The dentist takes a putty impression or a digital scan and sends it to a dental lab. 4. **Temporary crown.** A temporary crown protects the tooth while the lab makes yours. 5. **Second visit.** The dentist removes the temporary, checks the fit and your bite, and bonds the new crown in place. The dentist may use a numbing agent during the visit. Ask your dentist how long the lab usually takes, because timing varies. Our blog post on [whether crowns hurt](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/do-dental-crowns-hurt-during-and-after) covers what to expect, and the [tooth sensitivity after a crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/why-does-my-tooth-hurt-after-a-crown-or-filling) post covers common after-effects. ## How do I care for a crown? Clean it the way you clean your other teeth. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth every day, including around the crown edge. The tooth under the crown and the gum around it still need daily cleaning. Watch what you chew. Cleveland Clinic lists foods that can damage or dislodge a crown, including ice cubes, extremely hard nuts, popcorn with kernels, and sticky foods such as taffy and caramels. Some soreness in the gums or sensitivity to hot and cold can follow placement. Call the office if the crown feels high when you bite, a sharp edge bothers your tongue or gum, or pain is not easing. A crown that comes off is an issue for your dentist to see; our post on [a lost filling or loose crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/lost-filling-or-loose-crown-what-to-do-until-you-are-seen) explains what to do in the meantime. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment) if you have concerns. ## Questions about porcelain crown [Read the guideDental crowns: types, lifespan and what to expect](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-crowns-guide) ### How long do dental crowns last on molars? It depends on the material, your bite, and how you care for the crown. Cleveland Clinic says crowns last longest with good care and may need replacing sooner if cracked or damaged. Your dentist can tell you what to expect for the tooth in question. ### Do dental crowns hurt after the procedure? You may feel soreness in the gums or sensitivity to heat and cold for a few weeks. Cleveland Clinic says most people can resume routine activities right after crown placement. If pain is sharp, lasts, or the crown feels high, call the office. ### Why do dentists recommend crowns? A crown can strengthen a tooth with a large filling, protect a weak tooth from breaking, restore one that is broken, or cover an implant. The American Dental Association says this is why a dentist recommends one. Ask your dentist to show you the problem. ### Is tooth sensitivity after a crown normal? Cleveland Clinic says some sensitivity, especially to heat and cold, can happen for a couple of weeks. If it is severe or does not ease, call your dentist. The tooth may need a bite adjustment or another look. ### Can I have a crown without a root canal? Often, yes. Many crowns are placed on teeth that had no root canal. A root canal is only needed when the nerve of the tooth is infected or damaged. Your dentist uses x-rays and an exam to decide. ### What if my crown comes off? Keep the crown, call the office, and avoid chewing on that side. Do not use household glue. Your dentist can check the tooth and the crown and tell you whether it can be cemented back or needs to be remade. ## Related services - [Dental Crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown) - [Root Canal Treatment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/root-canal) - [Restorative Dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/restorative-dentistry) - [Dental Veneers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-veneers) - [Dental Fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings) ## Sources - [ADA MouthHealthy: Crowns](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/crowns) - [Cleveland Clinic: Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)