A dental crown is a custom cap that covers a damaged tooth and restores its shape, strength and appearance. At Taylor Dental in Pensacola, a repeat Best of the Bay winner, we design and mill crowns in our own office with CEREC technology, using durable ceramic materials that include zirconia. That usually means you leave the same day with a permanent crown, without a temporary or a second appointment.
When do you need a dental crown?
A filling repairs part of a tooth. A crown is recommended when too much of the tooth is damaged or weakened for a filling to hold. Common reasons include:
- A large cavity or a large old filling that is wearing out
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A back tooth after root canal treatment, which leaves it more likely to fracture
- Completing a dental implant
- A misshapen or badly discolored tooth that other cosmetic treatments cannot fix
Waiting on a cracked tooth or a failing filling can turn a crown into a root canal or an extraction. If something feels sharp, sensitive or broken, call us sooner rather than later.
What are zirconia crowns?
Zirconia is a very strong, tooth-colored ceramic. It holds up well under heavy biting forces, so it is a common choice for molars and for patients who clench or grind. Glass ceramics are also strong and are prized for their translucency, the way they let light through like natural enamel, which matters most on front teeth.
Our CEREC crowns are milled from clinically proven ceramic materials, including zirconia and high-strength glass ceramics. Your dentist recommends the material based on where the tooth is, how you bite and how much the crown needs to blend in.
| Zirconia | High-strength glass ceramic | |
|---|---|---|
| Main strength | Very high fracture resistance | Lifelike translucency with good strength |
| Often chosen for | Molars, heavy biters, teeth that grind | Front teeth and visible premolars |
| Appearance | Tooth-colored, slightly more opaque | Tooth-colored, closest to natural enamel |
| Metal | None | None |
| Made at Taylor Dental | Yes, milled with CEREC | Yes, milled with CEREC |
How does a same-day crown appointment work?
With CEREC, the whole crown is done chairside in one visit, which usually takes about one to two hours from scan to placement.
- Numbing and preparation. Your tooth is numbed and reshaped to make room for the crown, the same preparation as for any crown.
- Digital scan. Instead of goopy impression trays, we take a precise 3D digital scan of the tooth and your bite in a few minutes.
- Chairside design. Your dentist designs the crown on screen with CAD/CAM software, matching the shape of your natural tooth.
- In-office milling. Our milling machine carves the crown from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic. There is no outside lab and no wait of days or weeks.
- Placement. The crown is polished, checked for fit and bite, and permanently bonded.
Because you skip the temporary crown, you also skip the problems that come with one: temporaries can feel awkward when you chew and can come off at bad moments. You also avoid a second round of numbing. During your exam we confirm whether a same-day crown is the best option for your tooth. Our same-day crowns page goes into more detail on CEREC.
Why does a digital scan make a better crown?
A digital scan captures the shape of your tooth and how it meets the opposing teeth more accurately than putty impressions. A better fit means a crown that seats comfortably, needs fewer adjustments and fits into your bite. You can read more about the equipment on our dental technology page.
How long do zirconia and ceramic crowns last?
With good care and regular dental visits, many crowns last 10 to 15 years or longer. How long yours lasts depends on your hygiene, your bite forces and your overall oral health. A few habits help:
- Brush twice a day and floss, especially where the crown meets the gumline, because the tooth underneath can still decay.
- Avoid chewing ice, pens or hard candy.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night.
- Keep your six-month cleanings and exams so we can check the margins of the crown.
A CEREC crown needs no special care. Treat it like a natural tooth.
What does a crown cost, and will insurance help?
A same-day CEREC crown generally costs about the same as a traditional crown. Most dental plans that cover traditional crowns also cover CEREC crowns, and we file claims for you and review your estimated portion before treatment. For patients without insurance, our In-House Dental Savings Plan takes 20% off crowns. We also offer financing options, including 0% plans for qualified applicants.
What if a crown is not the right fix for my tooth?
A crown is one option among several, and we only recommend it when the tooth needs the coverage. If the damage is small, a tooth-colored filling may be enough. If decay or a crack has reached the nerve, the tooth usually needs a root canal first and a crown afterward to protect it. If a tooth cannot be saved, we talk through replacement options such as a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture, so the neighboring teeth do not drift into the space.
We will show you your X-rays and intra-oral photos so you can see the problem yourself, and we explain the recommended treatment and its fee before anything is scheduled.
What are the signs an existing crown needs attention?
- The crown feels loose or your bite feels different on that side
- Pain or sensitivity when you bite down on that tooth
- A dark line, a chip or a rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- Gum swelling or bleeding around the crown
Any of these is worth an exam. Problems found early can often be fixed before the tooth under the crown is damaged.
Dental crown FAQs
Is getting a crown painful?
The tooth is numbed before it is prepared, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.
What should I do if my crown comes off?
Keep the crown, call us, and chew on the other side until your visit. Do not glue it back with a household adhesive. If the tooth underneath is healthy, a crown that has come off can often be bonded back in place after we check it for decay.
Will my crown look natural?
The ceramic blocks are shade-matched to your teeth, and the crown is designed to the contours of your tooth, so it blends in whether it is on a front tooth or a molar.
Do children ever need crowns?
Sometimes, when a baby tooth has a large cavity. We cover that on our dental crowns for kids page.
Schedule a crown consultation in Pensacola
If you have a cracked tooth, a large old filling or a tooth that was treated with a root canal, we can tell you whether it needs a crown and which material fits it. Request an appointment online or call Taylor Dental at (850) 478-8005. We are at 6601 N Davis Hwy, Suite 8, Pensacola, FL 32504.