Dental Crowns in Bethlehem, PA

Protecting a tooth that needs a little more, and keeping it yours.

A dental crown covers a tooth that's too damaged for a filling, restoring its shape and strength. At Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office, I design each crown in porcelain, zirconia, lithium disilicate, gold or porcelain fused to metal, and deliver it within two to three weeks.

More support than a filling can give

When a tooth is beyond restoring with a simple composite bonded filling, inlay or onlay, a crown may be recommended to save the tooth. A crown encases the entire surface of the tooth, restoring its natural strength and shape. That's the whole idea: the tooth stays, and the crown takes the load it can no longer carry on its own.

Choosing the material that suits you

If it is determined that you require a crown there are different material options that can be used such as: Full porcelain / Lithium disilicate / Porcelain fused to metal or gold / Gold / Zirconia. I'll discuss with you which option best fits your needs, wants and expectations. Our promise is that the crown we place will be functional AND beautiful.

Catching a crack while it is small

Teeth with deep fractures that suddenly spread are one of the most frequent dental emergencies and one of the reasons so many of us need crowns, root canals or even lose a tooth. Often these emergencies and root canals can be prevented if the fractures are diagnosed early. That's why fiber optic transillumination is part of an examination on Brodhead Road.

Why might I need a crown?

A crown goes on when a tooth can't hold a filling any more. You have a broken or cracked tooth, you have extensive tooth decay, we need to protect the tooth after a root canal, you have a large filling that is weak or failing, we need to restore proper occlusion due to worn down teeth, or your smile needs cosmetic enhancement.

How much does a dental crown cost in Bethlehem, PA?

A crown is quoted as one fee that covers the design, the laboratory work and the fitting, and you have that figure in writing before we start. The material makes a difference, so I'll price the options I'd actually recommend for that tooth rather than one blanket number. Financing is available, and Patient Loyalty Program members take 15% off.

How long does it take to get a crown?

Two visits, about two to three weeks apart. At the first, I prepare the tooth, take the impressions and fit a temporary crown you can eat with. The laboratory builds the crown to my design, and at the second visit I fit it, check it against the teeth around it and cement it in place.

What do you do to keep a crown appointment comfortable?

The numbing is where most of the attention goes. A super numbing gel goes on first, then I buffer the anesthetic chair-side, which adjusts its pH in about ten seconds, resulting in more profound and rapid onset of numbness. Afterward, OraVerse can return the area to normal sensation instead of leaving you numb through lunch. We agree on a stop signal before we begin.

How long does a dental crown last?

A well-made crown is a long-term restoration, often well over a decade. Porcelain crowns, and gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, carry a five-year warranty against fracture with normal use under our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, when you follow our recommendations for care, cleanings, and treatment.

Would an inlay or onlay do instead of a crown?

Sometimes, and it's worth asking. An inlay or onlay replaces only the damaged part of the tooth and leaves more of your own tooth in place, so where the walls of the tooth are still sound I'd choose one. When a tooth is beyond restoring with a simple composite bonded filling, inlay or onlay, a crown may be recommended to save the tooth.

Dental Crowns in Bethlehem, PA

  • Choose from full porcelain, lithium disilicate, porcelain fused to metal or gold, gold, and zirconia
  • Two visits, two to three weeks apart, with a temporary crown you can eat with in between
  • Even complex crowns are planned calmly instead of rushed
  • Five-year warranty against fracture with normal use

Missing, Worn & Cracked Teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will the crown match my other teeth?

    Yes. We keep an extensive set of shade tabs in the office, so there's a tab for whatever shade your teeth actually are, and I take the shade myself against your own teeth in natural light rather than leaving it to the laboratory. Full porcelain, lithium disilicate and zirconia give the closest match; gold is chosen for strength where nobody sees it.

  • Can I eat normally with the temporary crown?

    Mostly, yes, with a little care. A temporary is cemented lightly so it comes off easily at the fitting, so I'd avoid anything very sticky or very hard on that side. If it works loose in the meantime, call (610) 868-9928 and we'll re-cement it.

  • Does the tooth underneath need a root canal too?

    Not usually. Most crowned teeth never need one. Where the nerve is already inflamed or infected from decay, a root canal comes first and the crown protects the tooth afterward. I'll tell you which of those you're looking at before we start.

  • What if my crown comes loose years later?

    Call the office and come in rather than waiting. A crown that has loosened without fracturing can often be cleaned and re-cemented in the same visit. Our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty covers fracture with normal use for five years so a crown that has simply come loose is a conversation, not a claim. To be eligible, you must follow our recommendations for care, cleanings, and treatment.

  • Does insurance pay for a crown?

    Usually a share of it, subject to your annual maximum and any waiting period. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. If it comes back denied, I take it up with the insurer myself.