What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over your existing tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. Crowns are most often used for restorative purposes, but they can also play a cosmetic role, reshaping or brightening a tooth that’s misshapen or discolored. That dual purpose fits well with how we approach dentistry at Infinity Smiles.
Crowns are typically recommended when:
- A tooth has had a root canal and needs protection, since root canal treated teeth become more brittle over time
- A tooth is cracked, fractured, or has a large filling that’s no longer enough to support it
- A tooth is significantly worn down or weakened by decay
- An old crown is failing, cracked, or needs to be replaced
- A tooth is misshapen or discolored in a way that affects your smile
- A dental bridge needs anchor teeth to hold a replacement tooth in place
What Does a Dental Crown Procedure Look Like?
Getting a crown at Infinity Smiles usually follows these steps:
- See Your Results Before You Start Using AI, we can generate a precise preview of what your smile will look like with your new crown in place, so you know what to expect before treatment even begins. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in feeling confident about your decision.
- Digital Scanning and Tooth Preparation Instead of a messy physical impression, we use a 3D scanner to capture an exact digital model of your tooth. The tooth is then gently reshaped to make room for the crown.
- Your Crown Is Hand-Crafted Your digital scan is sent to a trusted dental lab, where your crown is hand-made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. A temporary crown protects your tooth in the meantime.
- Final Fitting Once your permanent crown is ready, you return for a quick appointment where we remove the temporary, check the fit and bite, and cement your new crown into place.
Does a Dental Crown Procedure Hurt?
Getting a crown is not a painful procedure. The tooth being prepared is fully numbed with local anesthesia before any reshaping begins, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the appointment itself. It’s common to have some mild soreness or sensitivity for a day or two afterward, especially to hot or cold, but this typically settles quickly. If you’re anxious about the visit, let us know beforehand, we’re glad to talk through what to expect.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
Most crowns today are made from all-ceramic or porcelain materials, which closely match the natural color and translucency of your teeth, making them a popular choice for front teeth and cosmetic cases. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns add extra strength for back teeth that handle heavy chewing, though a thin line of metal can sometimes show at the gumline. Gold and metal alloy crowns are the most durable option and are occasionally used for molars, though they’re less common today given how far tooth-colored materials have come. Whichever material fits your case, your crown is hand-crafted to match the color and shape of your surrounding teeth.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, a dental crown typically lasts 10 to 15 years or longer. How long yours lasts depends on the material, how well you care for it, and habits like teeth grinding, which can wear down a crown faster. Regular visits let us catch a wearing or loosening crown early, before it turns into a bigger problem.
Dental Crowns vs. Dental Bridges
Crowns and bridges are closely related, a bridge is actually built from crowns, but they solve different problems. Both can serve a restorative purpose or a cosmetic one, depending on the case. Here’s how they compare.
| Dental Crown | Dental Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| What it treats | A single tooth that’s damaged, weakened, or has had a root canal | One or more missing teeth |
| How it’s built | Fits over your own existing tooth | Two or more crowns anchor a false tooth (pontic) in between |
| When it’s used | The tooth is still present but needs protection or repair | The tooth is missing entirely and the gap needs to be filled |
| Can it be cosmetic? | Yes, can reshape or brighten a misshapen or discolored tooth | Yes, can restore a natural-looking, complete smile |
Why Choose Infinity Smiles for a Dental Crown in Flushing, Queens?
In Their Own Words: Crown Patients Share Their Experience
Here is what patients say about Infinity Smiles, straight from Google Reviews.
See Some of Our Work With Crowns
Here’s a look at real crown results from patients at Infinity Smiles.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation
Whether you need a crown to protect a damaged tooth or to refresh the look of your smile, we’re ready to help. Call Infinity Smiles or book a consultation online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does getting a dental crown take, start to finish?
Getting a crown at Infinity Smiles typically takes two visits, since your crown is custom hand-crafted at a dental lab rather than milled same-day in the office.
Your first visit covers the scan and a temporary crown, and your second visit, once your permanent crown is ready, is a quick appointment to fit and cement it.
Can a dental crown be used for cosmetic purposes?
Yes, a crown can reshape or brighten a tooth that’s misshapen or discolored, not just repair a damaged one.
Many patients are surprised that the same treatment used to protect a tooth after a root canal can also be used to improve how a tooth looks, which is part of why crowns are one of our most requested services.
What happens if my old crown is damaged or wearing out?
A damaged, loose, or worn out crown can usually be replaced with a new one in a similar process to getting a first crown.
If the tooth underneath is healthy, replacing just the crown is often all that’s needed, which is exactly what we did for patients like Raisa, whose story you can read above.
How do I care for my crown after it’s placed?
A crown is cared for the same way as your natural teeth, regular brushing, flossing, and checkups.
The main thing to watch for is teeth grinding, which can wear down a crown faster than normal, a night guard can help protect it if that applies to you.
