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Crowns

Brite Smiles Dental Care

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Apple Valley, MN

A crown represents dentistry’s perfect union of art and science, capping a tooth with a replacement that looks as good as it functions. Dennis Simmons, DDS, and his associates, offer high-quality, all-porcelain crowns for their patients at Brite Smiles Dental Care in Apple Valley, Minnesota. To learn more about how a crown can restore your tooth and improve your smile, schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking online.

Crowns Q & A

What is a crown?

A crown is sometimes known as a dental cap. It is a type of restoration that completely covers the top part of the tooth above the gum line.  

What does a crown do?

Brite Smiles Dental Care uses crowns for a variety of purposes, including to:

  • Reinforce a weakened or cracked tooth 
  • Restore a tooth that’s suffered significant decay or damage that threatens the health of the tooth
  • Replace a tooth that’s misshapen, discolored, or unsightly

Crowns are also typically placed after you’ve had a root canal, to restore the strength and structure of your treated tooth.

What are crowns made from?

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including:

  • All-porcelain or ceramic
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal

All-porcelain is excellent for teeth that are more visible since it can be matched to the shade that blends in with your other teeth. 

Your dentist works with you to determine which material is best suited to your particular needs, preferences, and budget.

What is the process of getting a crown?

Brite Smiles Dental Care can fit your crown in just a few easy office visits.

During your first visit, Dr. Simmons or Dr. Zuidema removes some of the tooth’s enamel to make room for the crown. 

Once your tooth is prepared, your dentist takes an impression of your smile. They send that impression off to a lab that designs and fabricates your crown to fit perfectly and blend in seamlessly with the rest of your natural teeth.

You wear a temporary crown for the week or so that it takes for your permanent crown to come back from the lab, at which point you come back to the office for a second visit. 

Your dentist switches out your temporary and permanent crown, checks that the fit and bite are comfortable, then seals it with dental cement. 

How do I care for my crown?

Your crown can last for years with good at-home care.  Your dentist will instruct you on the care or your crown.  

Call Brite Smiles Dental Care or schedule a visit online and get started on your crown today.