DENTAL CROWNS · ST. GEORGE, UTAH
Dental Crowns in St. George
Helping a Damaged Tooth Become Strong and Useful Again
If I recommend a dental crown, it usually means your tooth needs more support than a filling can provide.
Maybe the tooth has a large cavity. Maybe it has cracked, worn down or already contains a large filling. Sometimes a tooth needs a crown after root canal treatment.
A crown fits over the visible part of the tooth to restore its shape, strength and function.
At Desert Radiance Dental, we use digital technology to design crowns that fit comfortably and look natural. In many cases, we can create and place your crown during the same visit.
My goal is simple: protect the tooth, preserve as much healthy structure as reasonably possible and give you a restoration designed to serve you well.
—Dr. Spencer Richards
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made covering that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth.
Some people call it a “cap.” The two terms mean the same thing.
A crown restores the tooth’s:
- Shape
- Size
- Strength
- Chewing surface
- Appearance
Once it’s placed, the crown becomes the part of the tooth you see and use above the gumline.
A well-made crown shouldn’t feel like a helmet sitting on your tooth. It should fit naturally into your bite and blend with the teeth around it.
Why Would I Need a Crown?
I may recommend a crown when a tooth no longer has enough healthy structure to support a filling reliably.
Common reasons include:
A large cavity
A cracked or fractured tooth
A tooth with a very large filling
A broken cusp
Significant wear
A weakened tooth
A tooth that has received root canal treatment
A severely misshapen or discolored tooth
Restoration of a dental implant
Support for a dental bridge
A crown can sometimes allow us to protect a tooth that might otherwise continue to break down.
That doesn’t mean every tooth with a filling or small crack needs a crown. I’ll look at how much healthy structure remains, where the damage is and how much pressure the tooth receives when you bite.
If a more conservative treatment will work predictably, I’ll tell you.
Crown or Filling: What’s the Difference?
A filling replaces a specific area of missing or decayed tooth structure. It works well when enough healthy tooth remains to support it.
A crown covers and supports most of the visible tooth. It may be a better choice when the tooth has lost too much structure to hold another filling safely.
Imagine repairing a small hole in a wall. A patch may be all you need.
But if the wall itself is cracked and unstable, making the patch larger doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. At some point, the whole area needs more support.
That is often the difference between a filling and a crown.
Do I Really Need a Crown If My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
Maybe—and I understand why that can be confusing.
Pain tells us something may be wrong, but it isn’t the only sign we use. A tooth can be badly cracked or weakened without causing much discomfort.
Sometimes we recommend a crown to prevent a known problem from becoming a dental emergency.
That said, I don’t expect you to agree to treatment based on “because I said so.”
I’ll show you the X-ray, photograph or scan when possible. I’ll explain:
- What part of the tooth is damaged
- How much healthy structure remains
- What could happen if the tooth breaks further
- Whether another treatment is reasonable
- Why I believe a crown is—or isn’t—the best option
You deserve to understand the recommendation before making a decision.
Same-Day Dental Crowns
Traditionally, getting a crown usually required two visits.
During the first appointment, the tooth was prepared, a physical impression was taken and a temporary crown was placed. The impression went to a dental laboratory, and the patient returned several weeks later for the permanent crown.
At Desert Radiance Dental, we can often complete that process in one visit using digital scanning and in-office crown-making technology.
Instead of biting into a tray of impression material, we use a digital scanner to create a detailed model of your tooth.
I then design the crown, and our in-office milling system shapes it from a solid block of dental material. Once the crown is ready, I check the fit, appearance and bite before bonding it to your tooth.
For many patients, that means:
- Fewer appointments
- No traditional impression material
- No temporary crown
- Less time away from work or family
- A finished restoration in one visit
Dental technology is at its best when it makes good care simpler.
Can Every Crown Be Completed in One Visit?
No. Same-day crowns are a great option, but they aren’t right for every tooth or every situation.
A laboratory-made restoration may be a better choice when:
- The case requires a highly customized cosmetic result
- Several front teeth are being restored together
- The tooth or bite is especially complex
- A specific material is needed
- Additional planning will improve the outcome
The goal isn’t to make every crown as quickly as possible. The goal is to choose the process and material that give the tooth the best chance of a strong, natural-looking result.
If I believe a dental laboratory is the better option, I’ll explain why.
What Happens During a Same-Day Crown Appointment?
1. We Examine the Tooth
I’ll evaluate the tooth, review any necessary X-rays and explain why a crown is being considered.
2. We Keep You Comfortable
The tooth and surrounding area will be numbed with local anesthetic.
3. We Remove the Damaged Area
I’ll remove decay, weakened tooth structure and any failing restoration. The remaining tooth is shaped to create space for the crown.
4. We Scan the Tooth
A digital scanner creates a detailed three-dimensional model of the prepared tooth and the teeth around it.
5. I Design Your Crown
Using the digital model, I design a crown that fits the tooth and works with your bite.
6. We Create the Crown
The design is sent to our in-office milling machine, which shapes the restoration from a solid block of dental material.
7. We Check the Fit
I’ll place the crown, evaluate the margins, check how your teeth come together and make any necessary adjustments.
8. We Bond It in Place
Once we’re satisfied with the fit and appearance, the crown is securely bonded to the tooth.
You leave with your final crown rather than a temporary one.
Does Getting a Crown Hurt?
We numb the tooth before preparing it, so you shouldn’t feel sharp pain during the procedure.
You may feel pressure, vibration or water while we work. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me. We can stop and make adjustments.
Afterward, the tooth or gum tissue may feel tender for a few days. Some temporary temperature sensitivity can also occur.
If the tooth feels increasingly painful, the bite feels too high or something simply doesn’t feel right, call us. A small bite adjustment can sometimes make a surprisingly big difference.
What If the Tooth Is Cracked?
Cracked teeth can be tricky because cracks don’t all behave the same way.
A crown may hold the tooth together and reduce the pressure placed on the crack. In many cases, that can help protect the tooth from breaking further.
But a crown can’t erase a crack.
If the crack extends deeply beneath the gumline or into the root, the tooth may not be predictably repairable. Some cracked teeth may also need root canal treatment if the tissue inside becomes inflamed or infected.
I’ll explain what we know, what we can’t know with certainty and what I believe gives you the best long-term option.
Dentistry would be easier if teeth came with little warning lights. Unfortunately, they mostly communicate through X-rays, symptoms and occasionally ruining dinner.
Why Do Root Canal Teeth Often Need Crowns?
Root canal treatment removes damaged or infected tissue from inside a tooth, but it doesn’t rebuild the tooth’s outside structure.
The tooth may already have been weakened by:
- A large cavity
- A crack
- An old filling
- Previous dental work
- Loss of tooth structure during treatment
Back teeth also absorb a lot of chewing pressure.
A crown can help protect the remaining tooth and restore normal function. Whether a crown is needed depends on which tooth was treated and how much healthy structure remains.
What Materials Are Used for Crowns?
Crowns can be made from several materials, including ceramic, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal and metal alloys.
The right material depends on:
- Where the tooth is located
- How visible it is when you smile
- How much pressure it receives
- The available space
- The condition of the opposing teeth
- Whether you grind or clench
- Your cosmetic preferences
For many same-day crowns, we use tooth-colored ceramic materials designed to provide a useful balance of strength and appearance.
I’ll recommend a material based on the tooth—not simply use the same one for everyone.
Will My Crown Look Natural?
That is always the intention.
We select a shade designed to blend with the surrounding teeth and shape the crown to fit naturally into your smile.
For a back tooth, function and strength may be the biggest priorities. For a front tooth, small details involving color, translucency, texture and shape become especially important.
If you are considering teeth whitening, let us know before the crown is made. Crowns don’t whiten the same way natural teeth do, so the order of treatment matters.
How Long Does a Crown Last?
Crowns can serve patients for many years, but they aren’t permanent or indestructible.
How long a crown lasts depends on:
- The condition of the tooth underneath
- The fit of the crown
- Your bite
- Grinding or clenching
- Oral hygiene
- Diet and habits
- The crown material
- Regular dental care
A crown can’t develop a cavity, but the natural tooth around its edges still can.
That’s why brushing, flossing and regular dental examinations remain important.
How Do I Care for a Dental Crown?
Treat it much like a natural tooth.
- Brush twice a day
- Floss around the crown daily
- Attend regular dental cleanings
- Avoid chewing ice
- Don’t use your teeth to open packages
- Wear a night guard if one is recommended
- Call us if the crown feels loose or different
- Have changes in your bite evaluated
If floss catches or the crown develops a rough edge, don’t ignore it. Let us take a look.
What If My Crown Comes Off?
Save the crown if you can and call our office.
Don’t use household glue to put it back. Your bathroom drawer contains many impressive products. None of them are dental cement.
A crown can come loose because the cement failed, the tooth changed underneath it or the crown itself was damaged.
We’ll evaluate the tooth and determine whether the crown can be recemented, needs to be replaced or requires another type of treatment.
If the tooth is sensitive, avoid chewing on that side until we see you.
Crown, Onlay or Bonding?
A crown isn’t the only way to restore a damaged tooth.
Depending on the situation, we may consider:
A Filling or Dental Bonding
Best for smaller areas where plenty of healthy tooth structure remains.
An Inlay or Onlay
A custom restoration that repairs part of the tooth without covering the entire visible surface.
A Dental Crown
A full-coverage restoration used when the tooth needs more overall support.
Extraction and Tooth Replacement
Considered when the tooth is too badly damaged to restore predictably.
My approach is to use the treatment that solves the problem without removing more healthy tooth structure than necessary.
Sometimes that’s a small filling. Sometimes it’s a crown. The tooth gets a vote.
Why Choose Desert Radiance Dental?
A crown is part technology, part engineering and part art. I enjoy bringing those pieces together.
At Desert Radiance Dental, you can expect:
- Careful evaluation before treatment
- Clear explanations
- Conservative recommendations when appropriate
- Digital scanning
- Same-day crown technology
- Attention to bite and function
- Natural-looking restorations
- A comfortable, judgment-free environment
- Privately owned, doctor-led care
My goal is to give you a crown that looks right, feels comfortable and protects the tooth as well as we reasonably can.
—Dr. Spencer Richards
Dental Crown FAQs
How do I know if I need a crown?
A crown may be recommended when a tooth is cracked, broken, worn, badly decayed or weakened by a large filling. An examination and X-ray can help determine how much healthy structure remains.
How long does a crown appointment take?
Appointment length depends on the tooth and the complexity of the restoration. Same-day crown visits take longer than a typical filling because the tooth is prepared and the final crown is designed, created and placed during the same appointment.
Will I need a temporary crown?
Many same-day crown cases don’t require a temporary crown. If your restoration is being made by a dental laboratory, a temporary crown may be placed while the final one is created.
Can I eat after getting a crown?
Wait until the numbness wears off before chewing so you don’t accidentally bite your lip, cheek or tongue. We’ll provide instructions based on how the crown was bonded.
Can a crowned tooth still get a cavity?
Yes. The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth around the edges can. Daily brushing, flossing and regular dental visits help protect it.
Can a crown fix a cracked tooth?
A crown can often support and protect a cracked tooth, but the result depends on how deeply the crack extends. Some cracks may make the tooth impossible to restore predictably.
Will I need a root canal before getting a crown?
Not always. Many teeth receive crowns without root canal treatment. A root canal may be necessary if the tissue inside the tooth is inflamed, infected or exposed.
Is a same-day crown as strong as a laboratory crown?
Same-day ceramic crowns can provide strong and attractive restorations for many teeth. Some cases may benefit from a different material or a laboratory technician’s involvement. I’ll recommend the option that best fits your tooth.
Does dental insurance cover crowns?
Many dental plans provide partial coverage when a crown is medically necessary. Coverage, waiting periods and replacement limitations vary. Our team can help you review the information provided by your plan.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The cost depends on the material, tooth, treatment needed and insurance benefits. We’ll provide an estimate before treatment begins.
What should I do if my bite feels high?
Call us. If the crown contacts before your other teeth, a small adjustment may be needed. Don’t wait for the tooth to “get used to it.”
Let’s Take a Look at the Tooth
If you’ve been told you need a crown—or you have a tooth that is cracked, broken or heavily filled—come see me.
I’ll show you what is happening, explain the available options and tell you whether I believe a crown is the right choice.
If a more conservative treatment will work, we’ll talk about that too.