What Are Crowns?
When a tooth is damaged by decay, fractures, or wear, we often recommend a crown to restore its strength and appearance. A crown is a custom-made, full-coverage restoration that fits securely over the entire visible portion of the tooth, protecting it while restoring its natural shape and function. We may use crowns after root canal treatment, to support a dental bridge, to complete a dental implant, or to improve the look of discolored or irregularly shaped teeth.
Our team takes precise impressions to ensure your crown fits comfortably and looks just like your surrounding teeth. We use durable, tooth-colored materials such as porcelain or ceramic, which offer a strong and natural-looking solution. The placement process is thorough and patient-centered, and we’re here to guide you through every step. With a properly fitted crown, you can enjoy restored chewing power, improved alignment, and enhanced protection for years to come. We’ll also provide tips for long-term care and schedule regular checkups to help maintain your crown and oral health. Let us help you protect your smile and restore confidence with a solution that’s both functional and beautiful.
Why Trust Altoona Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry?
Restoring a tooth with a crown begins with careful evaluation and detailed planning. Our team performs a thorough examination to assess the condition of your tooth and discuss your goals for treatment. Using advanced imaging and high-quality materials, we design a crown that fits comfortably, functions properly, and looks completely natural. Every restoration is crafted with care to preserve the structure of your existing tooth while enhancing strength, protection, and overall appearance. We aim to deliver a restoration that supports both your oral health and your confidence.
Patients can expect a personalized experience from start to finish. We take time to explain each step of the process, answer your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable throughout your care. Crowns are color-matched to your surrounding teeth and shaped with precision to blend seamlessly into your smile. Whether you need to restore a single tooth or are including a crown as part of a broader treatment plan, our team is committed to providing results that are functional, long-lasting, and visually appealing. With us, your crown is more than a restoration; it’s a reliable investment in your smile.
Benefits of Crowns
- Enhanced Protection
Crowns reinforce teeth that have been weakened by decay or trauma, reducing the risk of further damage and preserving the remaining tooth structure for long-term oral health. - Aesthetic Improvement
Made from natural-looking materials, crowns are designed to match the shape and color of your teeth, restoring beauty and symmetry to your smile with a lifelike finish. - Long-Term Durability
Crowns are built to last, withstanding everyday wear and tear. With regular care, they can provide years of dependable function while maintaining their form and appearance.
Featured Treatments
Family &
General Dentistry
Our aim at Altoona Smiles is to provide exceptional dental care.
Children’s
Dentistry
A baby’s first tooth can erupt as soon as 6-12 months of age.
Cosmetic
Dentistry
Achieve a beautiful smile with cosmetic enhancements.
Emergency
Dentistry
Altoona Smiles offers same-day appointments.
Invisalign &
Clear Aligners
Everyone deserves to smile proudly with well-aligned teeth.
Botox
Altoona Smiles is proud to offer treatments utilizing botox and cosmetic fillers.
Dental Crown Material Performance and Durability
Esthetic Quality %
Average Longevity (Years)
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
88
12
All-Ceramic (Lithium Disilicate)
96
13
Zirconia
92
14
Gold (for comparison, rarely placed today)
50
20
Composite Crown (temporary reference)
85
5
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
50%
100%
Narrative: Shows that modern ceramic and zirconia crowns offer excellent esthetics with 12-15+ year longevity. Zirconia provides the strongest, longest-lasting crowns with nearly esthetic quality approaching all-ceramic. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are reliable workhorses but may show a subtle metal line at the gum margin. Gold remains the most durable but is rarely selected due to esthetic preferences.
| Crown Material | Esthetic Quality | Strength/Durability | Longevity | Indications | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-t o-metal (PFM) | 88% (slight metal visibility) | Excellent | 12-15 years | Back teeth; patients prioritizing durability | $800-1200 |
| All-ceramic (lithium disilicate) | 96% (highly esthetic) | Very good | 13-15 years | Front teeth; maximum esthetics | $900-1400 |
| Zirconia | 92% (strong appearance ) | Excellent | 14-20 years | Back teeth; heavy biters; maximum durability | $1000-1500 |
| Gold | 50% (not esthetic) | Excellent | 20-30 +years | Back teeth only; patients valuing longevity over esthetics | $1200-2000 |
| Composite/Resin (temporary) | 85% | Poor | 5-7 years | Temporary; not recommended for long-term use | $200-400 |
American Dental Association (ADA) | Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry | International Journal of Prosthodontics | Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry | Clinical research on crown material performance and longevity
Key Findings About Dental Crowns
A crown (or cap) is a tooth-colored restoration that completely covers a damaged or weakened tooth, protecting the remaining tooth structure and restoring chewing function; crowns are indicated when a cavity is too large for a filling, when a tooth has experienced trauma, when a tooth has had a root canal, or when a previous restoration has failed and needs replacement.
Modern crowns are fabricated from high-quality materials including all-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia, providing superior strength, longevity, and esthetics compared to older crown designs; all-ceramic and zirconia crowns are particularly esthetic and are indistinguishable from natural teeth when properly designed and placed.
The crown preparation process involves careful removal of damaged tooth structure and shaping the remaining tooth to accommodate the crown; Dr. Eric removes only the damaged tooth structure and a minimal amount of healthy structure necessary to create proper crown contours and retention, preserving as much natural tooth as possible.
Crown placement typically requires two appointments, the first to prepare the tooth, take impressions, and place a temporary crown, and the second (approximately one week to two weeks later) to remove the temporary and bond the permanent crown; modern same-day crown technology allows some crowns to be fabricated and placed in a single appointment using computer-aided design and milling.
A crowned tooth requires the same care as a natural tooth, regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups; with proper care and great oral hygiene, crowns typically last 10-15 years or longer, and many crowns remain in place and functional for 20+ years.
Failure of a crown typically results from decay at the crown margin (where the crown meets the natural tooth) due to breakdown of the cement or a gap that develops over time; maintaining excellent oral hygiene, avoiding sticky foods that can dislodge crowns, and visiting Dr. Eric regularly for maintenance help prevent crown complications and extend longevity.
See Why Patients Trust Us Through Verified Reviews
“Restorative dentistry is about rebuilding what’s been lost, whether it’s a single tooth or several teeth, and restoring both function and confidence. Every tooth saved is a victory, and every restoration is an opportunity to help a patient eat, speak, and smile without limitation. Over my 20 years, I’ve learned that the best restorations are those patients don’t think about, they just work like natural teeth.”
Dr. Eric Forsberg
Co-Owner & General Dentist
Questions Patients Ask About Dental Crowns in Altoona
How much of my tooth will be removed for a crown?
The Altoona Smiles team removes only the damaged or decayed tooth structure and a minimal amount of healthy structure necessary to create proper crown contours, typically around 1-1.5mm from each surface of the tooth. The goal is to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible while creating adequate space for the crown material and proper retention. The amount removed depends on the severity of damage and the extent of prior restorations; sometimes very little healthy tooth is removed if decay is limited to one area.
What’s involved in getting a crown?
The crown process typically takes two appointments. At the first visit, the Altoona Smiles team prepares the tooth (removing damaged structure), takes detailed impressions or digital scans, checks your bite and esthetic preferences, and places a temporary crown to protect the tooth while your permanent crown is fabricated in a laboratory (typically 7-14 days). At the second appointment, the team removes the temporary crown, tries in your permanent crown, makes any adjustments to fit and bite, then bonds it permanently to your tooth. Some patients use same-day crown technology that allows fabrication and placement in a single appointment.
Will my crowned tooth ever need treatment?
A crowned tooth can potentially develop decay at the margin (where the crown meets the natural tooth) if the crown becomes loose or the cement breaks down, allowing bacteria to reach the underlying tooth structure. To prevent this, maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily, avoid chewing sticky foods that can loosen crowns, and visit the Altoona Smiles team regularly. Most crowns remain healthy and functional for 10-15+ years with proper care. If your crown becomes loose, develops decay, or fractures, the Altoona Smiles team can evaluate and repair or replace it.
What’s the difference between all-ceramic and zirconia crowns?
All-ceramic crowns (typically lithium disilicate) offer outstanding esthetics with tooth-like translucency and light transmission, making them ideal for front teeth where esthetics are paramount. Zirconia crowns are stronger and more durable than all-ceramic, making them better for back teeth or patients with heavy biting forces. Zirconia has a slightly more opaque appearance than all-ceramic but still looks natural. Both materials are metal-free and biocompatible. The Altoona Smiles team recommends the material based on location and your specific needs.
How long will my crown last?
Well-fabricated crowns typically last 10-15 years, with many remaining in place and functional for 20+ years. Longevity depends on the crown material, how well it’s bonded, your oral hygiene, and your dietary habits. Avoiding hard foods, maintaining excellent brushing and flossing, and keeping regular dental appointments all contribute to crown longevity. Eventually, crowns may require replacement due to wear, decay at the margin, or fracture, but properly placed crowns are among the most durable restorations in dentistry.