Your Tooth Is Still Saveable. Here Is What a Crown Does.
A cracked, decayed, or root canal treated tooth does not always have to come out. Grand Prairie Family Dental, located in Grand Prairie TX, offers dental crowns and full restorative care under Dr. Behrooz Khademazad, DDS, who has practiced at this location since August 28, 1988. His approach is straightforward: save the natural tooth whenever the clinical findings support it, and recommend a crown only when it is the right call.
If you have been putting this off because of cost or uncertainty about the procedure, you are not alone. Restorative dental patients from Westchester and Dalworth Park come to Dr. Khademazad after months of avoiding this conversation. Most say the same thing after their crown is placed: the tooth felt completely natural and they wished they had not waited so long to take care of it.
What Is a Dental Crown
A dental crown is a custom-fitted restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth. It protects the remaining tooth structure from further breakdown, restores normal chewing function, and in most cases looks indistinguishable from a natural tooth. The American Dental Association recognizes crowns as the standard restoration for teeth that are too damaged to be repaired with a filling alone.
Modern crowns at Grand Prairie Family Dental are most commonly made from zirconia, which is a high-strength ceramic that matches the color of your surrounding teeth. Zirconia is now the standard for back teeth because of its durability under chewing pressure. Porcelain or zirconia options are used for front teeth where aesthetics are the priority.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown
Not every damaged tooth needs a crown and Dr. Khademazad evaluates each case individually before recommending one. His conservative philosophy means a crown is only suggested when the clinical findings make it the right call. The most common situations that require a crown include:
- A tooth with significant decay that cannot be fully restored with a filling
- A cracked or fractured tooth where the crack extends toward the root
- A tooth that has been treated with a root canal and needs protection
- A broken tooth where a large portion of the structure is missing
- A tooth with an existing large filling that has failed or is failing
- A severely worn tooth due to grinding or acid erosion
Patients from Nottingham Estates and Lake Parks who come in after noticing a crack or being told their filling has failed almost always leave with a clear picture of exactly what the crown involves and what it will cost before anything is scheduled. The earlier you address the dental crown problem, the simpler and less costly the treatment.
Types of Dental Crowns We Use
The material used for your crown depends on the location of the tooth, the strength demands of your bite, and your aesthetic goals. Zirconia is the most commonly placed crown material at Grand Prairie Family Dental because it combines the strength needed for back teeth with a natural tooth-colored appearance. It is highly durable, resistant to chipping, and compatible with the soft tissue around the tooth.
Porcelain crowns are used where a precise color match to adjacent teeth is the priority, typically for front teeth visible when you smile. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a legacy option that is less commonly placed today. Dr. Khademazad discusses the material options at your consultation and makes a recommendation based on what your specific tooth and bite actually need.
