233 Dodge St. Kaukauna, WI 54130
Protecting a Tooth That Has Lost Its Strength
Some teeth simply need more than a filling can offer. Whether from a large cavity, a cracked tooth, significant wear, or a tooth that has already had a root canal, a dental crown covers and protects the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring its strength while returning it to a natural shape and size. Rather than removing a compromised tooth, a crown often allows our team to save it, preserving your natural bite and preventing the more involved process of tooth replacement.
At Kaukauna Family Dentistry, we design crowns that blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth while standing up to the everyday demands of biting and chewing. Patients throughout Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Little Chute, and Kimberly trust our team to recommend a crown only when it is truly the right solution, and to craft one that fits comfortably and looks like it belongs in your smile.
Schedule Your Crown Consultation
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap designed to cover a tooth entirely, from the gumline up, restoring its size, shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are typically fabricated from durable materials such as porcelain, zirconia, or a combination of materials chosen based on the location of the tooth and the amount of chewing force it will need to withstand. Unlike a filling, which repairs a portion of the tooth, a crown surrounds the entire visible structure, making it the right choice when too much of the natural tooth has been lost or weakened to support a smaller repair.
Crowns are often used following a root canal, since a tooth that has had its nerve removed can become more brittle over time and benefit from the added protection a crown provides. They are also commonly used to cap a tooth after significant decay, to anchor a bridge, or to complete the restoration of a dental implant.
Common Reasons a Crown Is Recommended
Crowns are recommended in a variety of situations where a tooth needs more support than a filling can provide. You may need a crown if you have:
- A large cavity that has left too little healthy tooth structure for a filling alone
- A cracked or fractured tooth that needs reinforcement to prevent further damage
- A tooth that has recently had root canal therapy
- Significant wear from grinding, clenching, or years of use
- A severely discolored or misshapen tooth affecting your bite or appearance
- An existing large filling that has failed or weakened the surrounding tooth
Our team will evaluate the extent of damage to your tooth during an exam, often supported by digital X-rays, to determine whether a crown or a more conservative treatment is the better fit.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a dental crown typically takes place over two visits, giving time for your custom crown to be fabricated to precisely match your tooth.
01
Evaluation and preparation
We examine the tooth and, if needed, take X-rays to assess the extent of damage before reshaping the tooth to make room for the crown.
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02
Taking an impression or digital scan
A precise impression or digital scan of your prepared tooth is captured and sent to a dental lab to fabricate your custom crown.
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03
Fitting your permanent crown
While your permanent crown is being made, a temporary crown protects the prepared tooth and allows you to eat and speak comfortably in the meantime.
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04
Fitting your permanent crown
Once your custom crown is ready, we remove the temporary and check the fit, shade, and shape before permanently cementing it into place.
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05
Final bite check
We confirm your bite feels even and comfortable, making any small adjustments so the crown functions naturally alongside your other teeth.
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Why a Crown May Be the Right Solution
- Restores strength to a tooth weakened by decay, fracture, or a root canal
- Protects a vulnerable tooth from further damage or breakage
- Custom shaped and shaded to blend naturally with your surrounding teeth
- Durable enough to handle normal biting and chewing forces for many years
- Can save a tooth that might otherwise require extraction
- Restores proper shape and function, making it easier to bite and chew comfortably
Protect Your Tooth With a Custom Dental Crown
If you have a damaged, weakened, or recently treated tooth, a dental crown may be the solution that saves it. Patients throughout Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Wrightstown, and Freedom trust our team for crowns that restore both strength and a natural appearance.
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