Home/Services/Dental Crowns
Restorative Care · St. Clair, MO

When a filling
isn't enough.
A crown is.

A dental crown is a custom cap that covers a weakened, cracked, or heavily restored tooth — giving it the strength and protection of a natural tooth. We take a digital scan and have your crown custom-crafted by a dental lab, then fit it at a second visit — the approach we find gives the most natural-looking result.

A confident smile after a dental crown restoration
2visits
Scan, then fit
Digitally scanned, custom lab-crafted
10-15yrs
Typical lifespan
With normal wear and good hygiene
2hrs
Typical appointment
Prep, scan, mill, and cement
50-80%
Covered by most PPO
Varies by plan and annual maximum

When a crown is
the right call.

Reason 01

After a root canal

A tooth that's had a root canal becomes brittle and needs a crown to prevent fracture. This is standard care — expect a crown after any back-tooth root canal.

Reason 02

A large filling failed

When an old, large filling breaks or decays underneath, there's often too little tooth left to support another filling. A crown covers what's left and restores full chewing function.

Reason 03

A cracked tooth

Cracks can't be "filled." They need a crown to hold the tooth together and prevent the crack from spreading. Caught early, a crown saves the tooth from extraction.

Reason 04

Severe wear or grinding

Patients who grind their teeth at night can wear them down to nubs. Crowns restore proper height and protect remaining tooth structure.

Reason 05

Cosmetic improvement

For a tooth that's discolored, misshapen, or has multiple old restorations, a crown can restore both function and appearance in one step.

The honest truth

Crowns aren't cheap.

A crown typically runs $1,200–$1,800 per tooth depending on material and insurance. But it's the right call when a filling won't hold. We'll tell you honestly whether you need one — or whether a filling will do the job.

Questions
we hear often.

How long does a crown last?
10–15 years is typical, and many last much longer with good home care and regular cleanings. The biggest factors: daily flossing, regular cleanings (so the gum around the crown stays healthy), and not grinding your teeth at night.
Will it hurt?
The prep appointment is done under local anesthetic — you'll feel pressure and vibration, but not pain. Some tenderness for a day or two afterward is normal. If a crown hurts when you bite down after it's placed, call us — the bite may need adjustment.
What if my insurance doesn't fully cover it?
Most PPO plans cover 50–80% of crowns, up to your annual maximum. We submit a pre-determination so you know exactly what's covered before we start. CareCredit financing is available for the balance, including 0% promotional terms on shorter plans.
Do you do crown repairs?
Sometimes. If a crown comes loose but the underlying tooth is healthy, we can often re-cement it. If the crown has cracked, chipped badly, or the tooth underneath has decayed, we may need to replace it. We'll tell you honestly which applies.

Tooth giving you trouble?
Let's take a look.

Book a consultation. We'll do a full exam, take X-rays and a 3D scan, and walk through your options. If a crown is the right call, we'll walk you through the timeline and the cost before anything starts.