Dental Crown in Idaho Falls, ID

West Wind Dental in Rigby provides affordable dental crowns for patients in Idaho Falls and throughout Eastern Idaho

In football, offensive and defensive linemen get hit play after play. That’s why their helmets are so important, and often why they have enhanced protective features. Your teeth face their own kind of daily tackles: biting, grinding, chewing, and even the occasional mishap with a hard snack. Over time, all that action can weaken or damage a tooth. Like a football helmet, a dental crown provides protection. It covers the visible portion to restore the tooth’s strength, function, and appearance all in one go.

Understanding the Purpose of a Dental Crown

Dental Crown in Idaho Falls, ID | Book a Free Consultation TodayDental crowns are caps that are designed to fit snugly over your tooth, much like a custom-fitted NFL helmet is tailored to the player’s unique needs.

Sometimes, a crown is needed to restore a damaged or weakened tooth. Other times, its purpose is to improve the look of your smile. And in many cases, it’s a bit of both.

Restorative: Improve the Tooth’s Function

Maybe your molar is cracked, or a premolar has too much decay for a filling. Perhaps you’ve had a root canal, and the tooth needs more protection. Or maybe your tooth is severely worn down. In these cases, a crown can help restore the tooth structure, strengthen the tooth, and prevent further damage.

Just like football helmets are built for impact, some materials are better suited for crowns that need to withstand heavy use. If we need to cap a damaged tooth in the back of your mouth, for example, we may recommend a gold (or other metal) crown or a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. For more visible teeth that need structural reinforcement, we might suggest zirconia, a material that is both durable and natural-looking.

Cosmetic: Improve the Tooth’s Look

Football helmets aren’t just about protection. They’re designed to look good, too. Teams don’t just wear plain black helmets, after all. They’re painted, polished, and styled to look good on the field. The same idea applies to dental crowns used for cosmetic purposes.

When appearance matters most, materials like porcelain or ceramic are ideal because they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. These crowns give your smile a polished, uniform look, similar to how a sharp-looking helmet completes the team’s image.

Those looking to conceal discoloration, misshapen or uneven teeth, spacing issues, or other cosmetic imperfections often ask us about porcelain veneers. This common cosmetic dentistry treatment is effective in covering the front surface of the tooth. However, crowns can achieve a similar cosmetic result while also restoring function.

While veneers certainly have their place, we find that porcelain or ceramic crowns are often the best choice since they offer a dual benefit of cosmetic and functional improvement.

The Process of Getting a Dental Crown

If you need a dental crown, you can look forward to a straightforward and patient-centered process. And thanks to modern technology, you’ll know exactly what to expect. First, we take impressions of your tooth with our digital scanner (no messy impression tray needed). This step provides a quick but precise 3D model of your mouth. From there, we use digital design tools to preview your new crown so you can see what your smile will look like.

We partner closely with a trusted local lab we’ve had a relationship with for over 40 years. Our lab technician even comes to the office to personally match the shade of your crown, ensuring it blends seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Once we finalize the design, the lab creates your custom crown in just a few days. When it’s ready, we place it securely over your tooth and cement it in place.

Implant-Supported Crowns

Implant-Supported Dental Crown in Idaho Falls, ID | Mini Dental Implants | Free Consultation

While traditional crowns repair tooth damage or improve the look of a flawed tooth, implant-supported crowns can replace missing ones. A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that we secure in the jawbone. Over time, it fuses to the bone, providing a lasting foundation for an artificial crown. If you’re missing multiple teeth, we can also place several dental implants to support a bridge or denture.

At West Wind Dental, a Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA), we tend to use mini dental implants because:

  • They’re less invasive
  • They’re less painful
  • They take less time to heal
  • They require less time at the dentist
  • They’re more affordable

If you’re interested in replacing a tooth with a mini implant, Dr. Ellis will first take a 3D CBCT scan. This advanced imaging system captures incredibly detailed images of your mouth and jawbone. By analyzing the images, he can determine if you’re a good implant candidate.

To place a mini implant, Dr. Ellis will first numb you with a local anesthetic. Then, he will make a small pilot hole through your gums and into the jaw. He’ll secure the mini implant into the hole and make sure it’s secure before attaching a temporary crown. After you’ve healed, Dr. Ellis will attach your custom lab-made crown so that you can smile confidently and eat like you used to once again.

Protect Your Smile With a Custom Crown

Athletes depend on the right gear to perform at their best, and sometimes, your teeth need extra protection to stay strong and functional. A crown can strengthen a damaged tooth, enhance your smile, or even replace a missing tooth when paired with a dental implant.

With digital technology, a trusted local lab, and decades of collaboration with our technician, we make the process efficient and precise. If you’ve been putting off care, now is the time. Contact us today to schedule your visit, and let us help you get back in the game with a healthier, more confident smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crowns are durable, and with good care, they often last much longer than most people expect. We guarantee our crowns for 5 years, but many patients enjoy them for 10 years or more. In fact, some patients have crowns that have been going strong for 20 years!

Longevity really depends on how well you care for your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are crucial. Being mindful of what you eat also makes a big difference, since sticky, hard, or crunchy foods can put extra stress on your crown.

Most dental insurance plans cover at least part of the cost of a crown, especially when it’s needed to restore a damaged tooth. We participate with many insurance providers, and our team will help you maximize your benefits. If you need a little extra help, don’t worry. We also offer flexible financing through trusted lenders. We never want cost to stand in the way of you getting the care and comfort your smile deserves.

A properly made crown should fit like a glove to best protect your tooth and prevent additional damage or decay. Our lab technician is meticulous about the details, shaping the margins, making sure the contacts are just right, and ensuring the crown fits snugly against the gum tissue. This careful approach helps prevent bacteria from sneaking in. Of course, good hygiene is still important. Brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings help keep the tooth beneath your crown healthy and decay-free.