Crowns in Palm Beach
A crown is often the difference between saving a damaged tooth and losing it. When a tooth is cracked, heavily filled, weakened by decay, or recovering from a root canal, a dental crown covers the entire visible portion of that tooth, holding it together and restoring its shape so you can chew and smile with confidence again. At Family Dental Care, we place crowns for patients throughout Palm Beach from our office in West Palm Beach. Our team, led by Michael C. Westcott, DDS, and Sujay Trivedi, DMD, approaches every crown as part of your long-term oral health, not just a quick fix.
Patients come to us for crowns for many different reasons, and the right plan depends on what is happening with your tooth. One of the most common situations is a cracked or fractured tooth. A crack can cause sharp pain when you bite down or sensitivity to hot and cold. Left alone, it may spread. We treat cracked teeth regularly, and a crown can hold the tooth together and protect it from further damage.
Another frequent reason is a tooth that has been weakened by large fillings or decay. Over the years, a tooth may be filled and refilled until little natural structure remains. At that point, another filling may not be strong enough. A crown reinforces what is left. We also often recommend crowns after root canal therapy, which we provide for front teeth, premolars, and molars. Teeth that have had a root canal can become more brittle, and a crown helps protect them for everyday chewing.
Crowns also play an important role in replacing missing teeth. Because we place dental implants, a crown can sit on top of an implant to replace a single missing tooth. Crowns can also anchor a bridge, attaching to the healthy teeth on either side of a gap to support a replacement tooth in between.
Some Palm Beach patients come to us for cosmetic reasons. A tooth that is badly discolored, misshapen, or worn down can be covered with a crown that blends in with your smile. As part of our cosmetic dentistry and smile makeover services, crowns may be combined with treatments like veneers or whitening. For more involved cases, we offer full mouth rehabilitation and complex treatment planning, so crowns can fit into a larger plan.
What to Expect During Your Crown Treatment
Your care begins with a thorough dental exam. We look closely at the affected tooth, talk with you about your symptoms, and explain whether a crown is the best option or whether something simpler, such as a filling, inlay, or onlay, could work. If there is not enough tooth above the gumline to hold a crown securely, we may recommend crown lengthening, a procedure we perform in-house that reshapes the gum and bone to expose more of the tooth.
Once we agree on a plan, here is what the process generally involves:
- Numbing the area so you stay comfortable throughout treatment
- Removing any decay and shaping the tooth so the crown fits properly
- Capturing the shape of your tooth so the crown can be made to match your bite
- Placing the finished crown and checking that it feels natural when you bite and chew
If dental visits make you anxious, let us know. We offer oral sedation to help you feel more relaxed during treatment.
Caring for Your Crown
A crown cannot get a cavity, but the natural tooth underneath it can, especially along the edge near the gumline. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and pay extra attention to the area where the crown meets your gums. Healthy gums support a healthy crown.
Regular cleanings and exams let our dental hygienist and dentists check your crown and the surrounding teeth. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, ask us about a night mouth guard, which can help protect your crowns and natural teeth. If a crown ever feels loose, cracks, or comes off, call us. We offer emergency dental appointments, including same-day emergency visits, so Palm Beach patients can get help quickly.
Insurance and Payment Options
We want cost to be clear before treatment begins. Family Dental Care accepts all major PPO insurance plans, and we will help you understand how your coverage applies to your crown. Our team files claims on your behalf so you can focus on your care.
If you do not have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients. We are happy to go over your treatment plan and expected costs in advance so there are no surprises. We see patients ages eight and up, so families across Palm Beach can find care with us. Contact our office to schedule an exam and find out whether a crown is right for you.