Dental Crowns in Missoula, MT
When a tooth is broken down from problems like decay, an extensive tooth root infection, a large crack, or a rogue popcorn kernel, it often needs a tooth crown. At Nelson Dentistry, we offer high-quality tooth crowns in Missoula, MT. We may also recommend a dental crown to support a dental bridge, to complete a dental implant, or to enhance a discolored tooth cosmetically.
Adding a dental crown to a compromised tooth is an easy way to protect the tooth and prevent extraction. Extracting a tooth is always a last resort, and our Missoula dentists will place a dental crown whenever it’s feasible so that we can save the tooth. 
If you need a tooth crown in Missoula, MT, our caring dentist, Dr. Jonathan Nelson, can help. We have a full team of clinical and front office dental staff ready to assist you, and we promise to provide you with a beautiful dental restoration. Call us at (406) 452-3305 when you are prepared to schedule your tooth crown appointment!
- Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown in Missoula, MT
- Tooth Crown Placement
- Dental Crowns Offered in Missoula
- Contact Our Missoula Dentist Today
Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown in Missoula, MT
You may need a dental crown for several different reasons. As we discussed above, dental crowns can come in handy to fix everything from decay to popcorn-related injuries! Dentists use tooth crowns in both restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry because tooth crowns successfully fix functional as well as visual flaws. Our patients love dental crowns and regularly choose them to treat concerns they have with their teeth.
Some of the most common reasons you may need a dental crown are if you have a:
- Broken tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Worn tooth
- Sensitive tooth
- Short tooth
- Yellow or discolored tooth
- Tooth that recently underwent root canal treatment
Dental crowns add structure and support to teeth that need it, but they also help improve the appearance of misshapen or unsightly teeth. A tooth crown may also be recommended following a dental trauma or root infection to restore strength to a weakened or fractured tooth.
Our crowns for teeth are as natural-looking as they are versatile. Our top Missoula dentist wants you to have a beautiful and functional smile that helps you lead your best life!
If your smile is suffering because of a damaged or unattractive tooth, we can take care of it right away and restore your confidence with a dental crown. Call our Missoula, MT dental office today at (406) 452-3305 to schedule your dental appointment with Dr. Nelson.
Tooth Crown Placement
A dental crown is a cover that goes on top of a weakened or flawed tooth. Artificial dental crowns resemble natural dental crowns and look much like your existing teeth.
At Nelson Dentistry, Dr. Nelson always colors and shapes your dental crown to match the look of your other teeth. Your dental crown will be part of your smile for years to come, so we want to ensure you are happy with the way it looks and blends in.
When we place your dental crown, the restoration is meticulously shaped to fit over your natural tooth to the gum line. We will make sure your natural tooth is ready to receive your new crown by smoothing or filing down any jagged edges or points. Dr. Nelson will then position the tooth crown in place and use dental cement to bond it permanently.
By the end of the process, your dental crown should rest nicely between your neighboring teeth. Our crowns for teeth are so natural-looking that no one will ever guess you’ve been to the dentist!
Dental Crowns Offered in Missoula
At Nelson Dentistry, we provide several different types of tooth crowns to shore up broken and weak teeth or to conceal discoloration. During your initial exam, our dentist will go over the pros and cons of each dental crown type and make recommendations based on your unique needs.
Our tooth crown types include:
All-Gold Tooth Crowns in Missoula
All-gold tooth crowns are the oldest type of crown. Patients love these dental crowns for their durability and smoothness. We often choose gold tooth crowns for back teeth and avoid placing them near the front because they are not tooth-colored.
Porcelain-Fused Metal Tooth Crowns in Missoula
These tooth crowns have also been around for several decades. Unlike with gold crowns, our dentist in Missoula can bond tooth-colored porcelain to this dental crown type. Porcelain-fused metal tooth crowns in Missoula may not be as smooth as gold tooth crowns, but they will blend in more seamlessly with your smile.
All-Porcelain Tooth Crowns in Missoula
These crowns for teeth are relatively new when compared to gold tooth crowns and porcelain-fused metal tooth crowns. At Nelson Dentistry, we offer two types of all-porcelain tooth crowns:
- Zirconia (Bruxzir): This robust and quality tooth crown is probably the most affordable dental crown in Missoula. This crown, made of porcelain, can be colored and shaped to blend with your smile
- Lithium Disilicate (eMax): This is one of the most natural-looking dental crowns in Missoula. It is highly translucent and closely mimics your natural tooth
The gold onlay is an offshoot of the dental crown. Sometimes an onlay can be used instead of a full tooth crown to allow for a more conservative tooth preparation with less tooth reduction.
For a dental crown to fit on a tooth, we reduce that tooth uniformly. For the onlay to fit, we reduce the tooth in a non-uniform fashion. We typically place the crown at the margin (where the crown or onlay meets the tooth) or slightly below the gum.
With an onlay, we place the material above the gum at many points. Typically, patients choose full tooth crowns because they take less time compared to onlays, and they're also less technically demanding.
Our Missoula dentist will work with you and determine which type of crowns for teeth is best for your situation. No matter which type of dental crown you need for your smile, we can place it at Nelson Dentistry.
Caring for Your Tooth Crowns
Our Missoula, MT dentist will provide custom instructions to help you get the most out of your tooth crown. However, you should care for tooth crowns the same way you care for natural teeth:
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day
- Avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar
- Visit our dental office regularly for exams and cleanings
While a dental crown cannot decay, poor oral hygiene and lack of dental care can cause gum infections, periodontal disease, and dental emergencies. These situations can compromise your natural teeth and your tooth crowns. You need to treat your artificial dental crown like it is just as important as your natural teeth—because it is!
Contact Our Missoula Dentist Today
If you have weak, broken, discolored, or worn teeth, get in touch with our dental team today to schedule an exam with our Missoula, MT dentist.
We proudly serve patients in Missoula, Frenchtown, Milltown, Arlee, Lolo, Huson, Florence, and beyond. Call us at (406) 542-3305 to get started on your journey toward a stronger and healthier smile!
Tooth Crown Placement Video
Frequently Asked Questions
You have three options for replacing your missing tooth or teeth.
Dental implants are an excellent solution for missing teeth because dental implants function, feel, and look just like a natural tooth. Additionally, they have the potential of lasting a lifetime, so they are quickly becoming the solution of choice for both patients and dentists.
Bridges are the historic "go to" treatment for replacing a missing tooth. A bridge is a replacement tooth suspended between two dental crowns to the left and right of your missing tooth. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants. A bridge will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Partial dentures are arches or plates with replacement teeth added to fill in the gaps in your smile. The arch or plate relies on healthy surrounding teeth to keep it in place with custom clasps that work with your oral structure. Unlike dental implants or bridges, partial dentures are completely removable.
Replacing your missing teeth will allow you to smile, eat, and speak again with confidence. Give us a call to set up an appointment to determine which of the above solutions will work best for your tooth replacement.
It depends. But typically right away if you'd like. Let's break down the details though:
- Routine Cleaning: You're in the clear to eat right away. However, if you needed fluoride varnish, then stay away from hot liquids for the next half hour (sorry coffee drinkers!).
- Gum Therapy: You might have needed to get numb for this, be really careful to not bite your lip, cheeks, or tongue!
- Tooth-Colored Composite Filling: We use a special "flashlight" to cure the composite as hard as it's going to get, so you're safe to use it like regular.
- Silver-Colored Amalgam Filling: These take time to harden completely. When you leave they are pretty hard, but you should still "baby" them with soft foods for the next 24 hours.
- Temporary Crowns: These are... well... temporary. So they're not meant to be as rugged as the permanent crown. This means that they come off easier (which is good for when we want to replace them with the permanent) and they're not as strong. So extra care must be given to avoid sticky and hard foods.
- Permanent Crowns: These are tough and pretty, the only thing to remember is that the cement usually needs some time to completely set. Avoid sticky foods for the rest of the day.
Dental Services in Missoula MT
Give our team a call today to get to know our friendly dental team, and book a cleaning, exam, or consultation! We are currently accepting new patients.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Jonathan Nelson
Dentist
I am no stranger to Montana. From about preschool to 3rd grade I lived in Missoula near Chief Charlo Elementary. In fact, I was part of the inaugural 3rd grade class at Chief Charlo when it first opened. Before that, I attended C.M. Russell Elementary just down the road from our current dental office! Then, due to my parent’s job relocation, we moved to Helena, MT.
I graduated from Capital High School and then went on to graduate at Montana State with the degree of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Similarly to ...
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