Dental Crowns in Las Vegas, NV

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. It helps to protect and strengthen the tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain crowns (tooth-colored crowns) are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. At Gardens Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Dr. Ryan Martz provides porcelain crowns as well as crowns created from other durable materials that are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth, giving you a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile. Learn more by contacting our Las Vegas, NV facility today to schedule your initial consultation.

Beyond restoring a single damaged tooth, a crown can also play an important role in more comprehensive treatment plans. We often use a dental crown procedure to strengthen teeth that anchor a bridge, finish a dental implant, or complete a full mouth rehabilitation case for our Las Vegas patients. By carefully planning how a crown will interact with your bite and neighboring teeth, we can improve both function and comfort, which is especially valuable if you have been living with worn, cracked, or heavily filled teeth for years.

When we recommend a crown, we also consider your long-term oral health and lifestyle. For example, someone who grinds their teeth, enjoys crunchy foods, or has a history of large fillings may benefit from a stronger material than a person seeking a purely cosmetic improvement. During your visit, we will walk you through the expected feel, appearance, and maintenance of each option so you can choose a solution that fits your goals, budget, and timeline.

Who Is a Candidate for a Dental Crown?

There are several reasons a dental crown may be desired or needed, including if you:

We also frequently recommend crowns for patients whose teeth have become worn down from grinding or clenching, as the added coverage can restore proper height to the bite and help protect against further chipping. If you have teeth that look shorter than they used to or notice your jaw feeling tired or sore, a carefully designed crown can often be part of a broader plan to balance your bite and relieve stress on your jaw joints.

Some patients come to us mainly for cosmetic reasons, such as wanting to correct severe discoloration, uneven edges, or misshapen teeth that do not respond well to whitening or bonding. In these cases, we may discuss whether a crown or another option like veneers is more appropriate, taking into account how much healthy tooth structure is left and how dramatic a change you hope to see in your smile. This individualized approach helps ensure that any crown we place supports both the health and appearance of your teeth.

How Does a Dental Crown Work?

A dental crown procedure requires two appointments at Gardens Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. During the first appointment, while the tooth is numb, Dr. Martz will prepare the tooth by removing all decay and, if needed, building the tooth back up while shaping its surface for a properly fitting crown. Then, either a highly accurate impression or an intraoral scan of the prepared tooth is taken, which will be sent out and used to create the custom crown. This process will usually take about two weeks, and meanwhile, a temporary crown is fabricated and placed on the prepared tooth.

To protect your temporary crown, we recommend the following:

• Be careful with chewing: Try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth and avoid very hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that could dislodge the temporary.
• Keep the area clean: Brush gently around the crown and slide floss out rather than pulling it up so you do not loosen the temporary.
• Watch for changes: Pay attention to any sharp edges, movement, or discomfort, and call us if something does not feel right.
• Follow sensitivity guidelines: Mild temperature or biting sensitivity is common, but pain that keeps you awake or worsens quickly should be evaluated.

The care of the temporary crown is very important. You have to make sure not to eat anything hard or sticky and maintain very good hygiene. Having sensitivity to biting and temperature is pretty normal as long as it is not keeping you up at night. If at any time you feel like your teeth are swollen or if your bite is off, call the office, and we will get you right in.

At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure that the spacing and bite are accurate. This appointment might or might not need anesthetic depending on the patient. There are a few excellent options for the type of materials that Dr. Martz uses for dental crowns. The most popular are zirconium, e.max, all-porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. Dr. Martz will discuss the material and reasoning with you at the consult appointment.

After your final crown is placed, we will show you how to clean around it effectively and what signs to watch for over time, such as changes in bite or unusual sensitivity. Regular checkups allow us to monitor the crown and surrounding gums, and many issues can be addressed early with a simple adjustment or polishing. With consistent home care and routine professional visits, a well-made crown from our practice can be a reliable part of your smile for many years.

Types of Dental Crowns We Offer

Different people have different needs, so we offer a range of crown materials and will help you choose the option that fits your situation. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are often selected for front teeth because they blend in beautifully with your natural enamel and reflect light in a lifelike way. For back teeth that do most of the chewing, stronger options like zirconia or porcelain fused to metal may be recommended to handle higher biting forces while still looking natural when you smile or laugh.