Why You May Need a Dental Crown

A dental crown covers and protects a tooth that no longer has enough healthy structure for a filling alone. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, appearance, and ability to withstand everyday biting pressure.

A crown may be recommended for:

• A cracked or broken tooth
• A large or failing filling
• Extensive decay
• Severe enamel wear
• A tooth weakened by root canal treatment
• A misshapen or discolored tooth
• A damaged tooth supporting a bridge
• A dental implant that needs a final restoration

Crowns are an important part of restorative dental care, but they are not recommended unnecessarily. Our dentists evaluate how much healthy tooth structure remains before selecting the most conservative reliable treatment.

What Is a CEREC Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom restoration that fits over the visible portion of a prepared tooth. Once bonded into place, it becomes the tooth’s new protective surface.

CEREC uses computer-aided design and manufacturing technology to create ceramic crowns inside the dental office. A digital scanner captures the tooth and surrounding bite, specialized software designs the crown, and an in-office milling unit creates the restoration from a ceramic block.

Patients can learn more about our digital impressions, imaging, and treatment systems on our dental technology page.

Signs You May Need a Crown

Some damaged teeth cause obvious pain, while others deteriorate gradually.

Schedule an evaluation if you notice:

• Pain when biting or chewing
• A visible crack or missing piece of tooth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• A loose or broken filling
• Food trapping around an old restoration
• A worn, flattened, or shortened tooth
• Rough edges that irritate the tongue
• A tooth that feels weak after root canal therapy

Smaller areas of decay or damage may still be repaired with tooth-colored dental fillings. A crown is generally considered when a filling would not provide enough strength or coverage.

Benefits of Same-Day Crowns

Patients throughout Midtown Reno, Caughlin Ranch, and Arrowcreek choose CEREC crowns for the speed and quality. Benefits include:

• One visit only – No temporaries or repeat appointments
• Stronger materials – High-grade ceramic for long-lasting results
• Precise fit – Digital accuracy means better comfort and bite
• Natural look – Color-matched to your smile
• Conservative approach – Preserves more of your natural tooth

It’s restorative dentistry made more efficient, more comfortable, and more convenient.

Looking for the best dentist in Reno to handle your dental crown in a single visit? You’ve found the right place.

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Our patients appreciate how quick, clean, and high-tech the experience is—especially if you're short on time or have dental anxiety.

Types of Dental Crowns

Different crown materials provide different combinations of appearance, strength, and longevity.

All-Ceramic Crowns

Metal-free ceramic crowns provide natural color and translucency. They are commonly used in CEREC same-day treatment.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is a strong ceramic material that may be appropriate for teeth exposed to substantial biting pressure.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

These restorations combine a metal base with an outer porcelain layer. They are durable, but the metal may affect translucency or become visible near the gumline.

Gold or Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are strong and resistant to wear but are less popular in visible areas because of their color.

The right material depends on the tooth’s location, your bite, cosmetic priorities, grinding habits, and remaining natural structure.

The Same-Day Crown Procedure

Examination

Your dentist examines the tooth, nearby teeth, gums, and bite. Digital X-rays or advanced imaging may be used to assess damage below the surface.

Anesthesia and Preparation

The area is numbed for comfort. Decay, damaged enamel, and failing restorative material are removed before the tooth is shaped to support the crown.

Digital Scan

An intraoral scanner records the prepared tooth, neighboring teeth, and opposing bite.

Digital Design

Your dentist designs the crown using CEREC software, carefully refining the shape, contacts, and chewing surface.

In-Office Milling

The crown is milled from a ceramic block selected for the tooth’s location and appearance.

Placement

The crown is tried in, adjusted, and securely bonded to the tooth. Your bite is checked before the appointment is completed.

Most visits take a few hours, although treatment time varies by tooth and case complexity.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients resume normal activities shortly after treatment.

Wait until the numbness wears off before eating to avoid biting your cheek, lip, or tongue. Mild temperature sensitivity or gum tenderness can occur for a few days.

Contact our office if:

• The crown feels higher than nearby teeth
• Pain becomes severe
• Sensitivity does not improve
• The crown feels loose
• Chewing remains uncomfortable

Brush twice daily, floss around the crown, and attend routine checkups. The ceramic restoration cannot decay, but the natural tooth near its edge can still develop a cavity.

How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?

A well-maintained CEREC crown can function for many years. Longevity depends on:

• Oral hygiene
• Tooth location
• Bite pressure
• Grinding or clenching
• Diet
• Gum health
• Remaining tooth structure
• Preventive dental care

Patients who grind their teeth may benefit from a protective nightguard.

Cost of CEREC Crowns in Reno

The cost of a same-day crown varies according to the tooth, material, extent of damage, insurance benefits, and any additional treatment required.

Cost factors may include:

• Tooth location
• Amount of decay or fracture
• Need for a foundation buildup
• Crown material
• Diagnostic imaging
• Root canal treatment
• Dental insurance coverage

If the tissue inside the tooth is infected or severely inflamed, root canal therapy may be required before the crown is placed.

Blue Water Dental Care accepts many major dental insurance plans and offers financing options. Patients without insurance may also consider the Blue Water Dental Savings Plan, which includes preventive services and savings on qualifying treatment.

Alternatives to Dental Crowns

The best treatment depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains.

Dental Filling

A filling may be appropriate for a smaller cavity or fracture.

Inlay or Onlay

These partial restorations repair more of the tooth than a filling without covering the entire tooth like a crown.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal therapy treats infection inside the tooth. A crown may still be recommended afterward to protect the remaining structure.

Dental Implant

If a tooth cannot be predictably restored, it may need to be removed. A dental implant can replace the missing tooth with a stable, natural-looking restoration.

Risks and Limitations

CEREC crowns are reliable, but no dental treatment is free from limitations.

Potential concerns include:

• Temporary sensitivity
• Bite discomfort
• Ceramic chipping
• Crown loosening
• Gum irritation
• Decay near the crown margin
• Future replacement
• Possible root canal treatment

Not every tooth is suitable for a same-day ceramic crown. A laboratory-made restoration may be recommended for highly complex cosmetic cases, unusual bite conditions, or situations requiring a specialized material.

Why Choose Blue Water Dental Care?

Blue Water Dental Care provides modern restorative dentistry in a calm, locally owned Reno practice.

Dr. David Kelly and Dr. Kristin Kelly graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2016. Dr. Dave focuses on implant dentistry, oral surgery, bone grafting, and advanced imaging. Dr. Kris focuses on restorative dentistry, cosmetic treatment, and facial aesthetics.

Patients choose our practice for:

• CEREC same-day technology
• Digital impressions
• Advanced dental imaging
• Conservative treatment planning
• Personalized recommendations
• A comfortable, modern environment
• More than 470 patient reviews
• A family-owned approach to care

We welcome patients ages 16 and older from South Reno, Midtown, Old Southwest, Caughlin Ranch, Damonte Ranch, Double Diamond, Galena, Hidden Valley, Somersett, and nearby Reno communities.