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Our promise is No judgment. Clear options. We’ll help you understand whether your tooth can be protected or needs a different solution.
You may need a crown if...
If your tooth is cracked, broken, has a large old filling, or hurts when you bite, the real question is whether enough healthy tooth structure remains to protect it. Sometimes a filling is enough. Sometimes a crown is the better way to hold the tooth together. If the nerve is involved, a root canal may be needed first. If the crack or decay extends too deep, extraction may be the safer long-term option.
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Easy Care for Everyone
Dental Crowns
Is my tooth cracked?
Cracks commonly occur in advance and you notice them only when you hear a break or feel a piece loose. When a piece of tooth breaks away the tooth will commonly become very sensitive to cold. if not... it could be a sign the nerve is dead or infected.
Can I just get a filling instead?
If the damaged area is small and the tooth walls are strong, a filling may work. If the filling would be too large or the tooth is already weakened, a crown may be more predictable.
Can this wait until next month?
Waiting on a cracked tooth commonly results in bacteria spreading to the nerve in the center of every tooth causing pain & Infection. A tooth that has been cracked for months or years commonly needs a root canal to disinfect the middle of the tooth prior to any crown
What will this cost?
The cost to evaluate a tooth is usually $0 with insurance or $30 with our new patient special. Crown cost depends on insurance coverage percentage & the amount of damage the tooth has. Custom crowns are commonly around $1650-$3200 if a root canal & build-up is needed prior to any insurance coverage.
What happens at the appointment?
A clear answer before treatment begins
When you come in for a broken tooth, cracked filling, or possible crown, our first goal is simple: figure out what is actually happening and explain your best options clearly.
We’ll check whether the tooth can be repaired with a filling, needs a crown for protection, requires a build-up first, or has deeper nerve or root damage that may need a root canal or extraction.
Get a clear answer for your broken, cracked or painful tooth
1. We listen first
We’ll ask what happened, when the symptoms started.
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2. We examine the tooth
We’ll look for cracks, broken edges, failing fillings, decay, bite problems, and signs that the tooth may be weakened.
3. We take the needed images
X-rays or a 3D scan may be used to check the tooth, root, bone, and surrounding area. This helps us see whether the damage is limited or deeper than it looks.
4. We explain what the tooth needs
You’ll hear the difference between your options: filling, crown, build-up, root canal, extraction, or monitoring when appropriate.
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5. We review your estimated cost
Before treatment begins, we’ll review your estimated out-of-pocket cost, insurance estimate, and payment options. Insurance estimates are not guarantees, but we’ll help you understand the expected numbers before you decide.
6. We help you choose the next step
If treatment is urgent, we’ll explain why. If it can wait safely, we’ll tell you that too. The goal is to help you make a clear decision, not pressure you.
Crown Vs Filling
A filling may work when....​
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A cavity or fracture is small
The tooth still has strong walls
There is no crack spreading through the tooth
The nerve is healthy
The filling is less than 50% of the tooth
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A crown may be better when....​
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A cusp or wall is broken
the tooth has an old large filling
the tooth hurts when biting
the tooth has or needs a root canal
the tooth needs stronger protection
The filling is more than 50% of the tooth
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The simple rule:
If the tooth still has enough strong structure, we try to keep treatment simpler. If the tooth is weakened, cracked, or missing too much structure, a crown is often the more predictable way to protect it.
Why this matters:
A filling replaces a missing part of the tooth. A crown protects the tooth by covering and holding it together. Choosing the smaller treatment sounds better, but if the tooth is already weak, a large filling can fail, crack, or break the tooth more severely. That can turn a crown problem into a root canal or extraction problem.
What we’ll do at your visit:
We’ll examine the tooth, take imaging, and check how much healthy tooth structure is left. Then we’ll explain whether a filling, crown, build-up, root canal, or extraction is the most predictable option. You’ll know your options and estimated cost before treatment begins
cost, insurance and financial clarity
Before treatment, we’ll review your estimated cost. Insurance estimates are not guarantees, but we’ll help you understand what is expected before you decide.
Dental Crown FAQs
Frequently asked questions
