A cracked tooth
A crown holds the pieces together so the crack does not spread when you chew.
Dental crowns, Boise
Dental crowns in Boise: protect a cracked, worn or heavily filled tooth.
A crown is a cap that covers a tooth that is too weak for a filling. It holds the tooth together and protects it while you chew. A crown that has come loose is worth a call the same day, because the tooth underneath can crack or decay.
- 2 visitsis the usual pattern, about two weeks apart
- Temporarycrown worn between the visits
- Bring itif your crown comes off, in a clean container
When
When a crown makes sense.
The dentist recommends a crown only when a smaller repair would be likely to fail.
A large old filling
When a filling takes up most of the tooth, the walls left can split.
A worn tooth
Grinding or age can wear a tooth down until it is short and sensitive.
After root canal treatment
A tooth that has had a root canal is often brittle and benefits from a cap.
A broken tooth
When a break takes away too much for bonding or a filling.
The visits
How a crown is made, step by step.
-
01
Visit one: exam and shaping
The tooth is numbed and shaped to make room for the crown. We take an impression or a digital scan.
-
02
A temporary crown goes on
It protects the tooth for the one or two weeks the final crown takes to make.
-
03
The lab makes the crown
It is made to match your bite and the shade of your neighbouring teeth.
-
04
Visit two: the fit
The temporary comes off, the final crown is tried, adjusted and cemented.
-
05
Bite check and aftercare
We check your bite, show you how to clean around it and book your next check-up.
911
If your crown comes off, do this, and call 911 if:
- You have swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing
- You think you swallowed the crown and you are choking or in pain
- The loss followed a blow to the head or face
Otherwise: keep the crown, rinse it, do not glue it with household glue, and call us. A tooth without its crown can crack or decay quickly.
Materials
Common crown materials, compared in plain words.
The dentist recommends a material for each tooth. These are the general trade-offs.
| Material | Looks like | Good for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | A natural tooth | Front and visible teeth | Can chip under heavy grinding |
| Metal alloy | Metal | Back teeth that take heavy bites | Strong, but not tooth-coloured |
| Ceramic over metal | Mostly like a tooth | Teeth where strength and looks both matter | A thin metal edge can show near the gum |
Looking after it
Aftercare, and what to expect.
A new crown can feel a little high or sensitive for a few days. Brush and floss around it as you would a natural tooth, and keep your regular check-ups, because the tooth under the crown can still decay at the edge.
A crown can last many years, but how long depends on the tooth, your bite and whether you grind your teeth at night. If you do, we may suggest a night guard. Results vary.
- Brush and floss around the crown daily
- Avoid chewing ice or hard candy
- Tell us if your bite feels high
- Keep up your check-ups
Is getting a crown painful?
The tooth is numbed, so you feel pressure, not pain, while it is shaped. The tooth can be sore or sensitive for a few days after each visit. Tell us if it does not settle.
How many visits does a crown take?
Two is the usual pattern, about two weeks apart, with a temporary crown in between. The dentist confirms the plan at the exam.
How long will a crown last?
It can last many years, depending on the tooth, your bite, your cleaning and whether you grind your teeth. We check it at each exam. Results vary.
What if my crown comes off?
Keep it, rinse it and call us. Do not use household glue. We can often re-cement it, or tell you whether the tooth needs a new one.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often yes, because a tooth that has had a root canal can become brittle. The dentist explains whether yours needs one.
Will you tell me the cost in advance?
Yes. You get a written estimate before treatment, with what your plan is expected to cover. We work with most major PPO plans and offer third-party financing.
Boise, Idaho
Tooth problem? Tell us now.
Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot for you. After that, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.
| Monday to Thursday | 7:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 7:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, emergency visits only |
| Sunday | Closed |
Call 911 for severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury.