A cracked molar can turn an ordinary meal into something you dread. When a tooth is badly decayed, worn down, or weakened by a large filling, even everyday chewing can feel risky, and the damage often keeps spreading. A dental crown can protect what remains of the tooth and put it back to work.
At White Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Jeremy White and Dr. Darren Gardner offer dental crowns in Orem as part of our restorative dentistry in Orem. We place traditional crowns and CEREC same-day crowns, and we help you choose the option that fits your tooth, your schedule, and your smile.
A dental crown is a custom cap that covers a damaged tooth above the gum line to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus describes several reasons a dentist may recommend a crown, from protecting a weak tooth to covering a dental implant.
We may recommend a crown for a tooth with:
Before we suggest a crown, we look at the tooth, your bite, and your cosmetic goals.
We prepare the tooth so the crown can fit securely over it. Then we use a digital scan or an impression to design a custom restoration for your tooth. Crowns come in several materials, and each has trade-offs in color match, strength, and cost, so we talk through the choices with you. Once the crown is in place, you can chew more comfortably, and the tooth underneath is shielded from further damage.
Some temporary sensitivity is common after treatment. If it lingers or your bite feels uneven, call us so we can check the fit.
Traditional crown treatment usually takes two visits. We prepare your tooth at the first, a lab makes the permanent crown, and you wear a temporary crown until you return for final placement.
Same-day dental crowns in Orem use our CEREC system, which relies on CAD/CAM technology to scan the prepared tooth, design the crown, and make it in our office. Eligible patients can often finish in a single appointment, which can mean fewer visits, no waiting on an outside lab, and no temporary crown in many cases.
Not every tooth or patient is a candidate for same-day treatment. During your exam, we tell you which approach fits your situation.
According to MedlinePlus, most crowns last at least five years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years. Your habits, your bite, and the crown material all play a role.
To protect your crown, brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with regular exams and cleanings. Avoid chewing ice or other very hard objects. If you grind or clench your teeth, a custom night guard can help. A crown also does not make the tooth underneath immune to decay, so cleaning along the gumline still matters.
A crown works best when enough healthy tooth remains to support it. During your exam, we look at how much structure is left, the condition of your gums, your bite, and any signs of infection.
In some cases, a filling, root canal, or extraction is a better choice. If a tooth cannot be saved, we can talk through replacing it with a dental implant topped with an implant crown, or with a bridge. If your main concern is appearance, porcelain veneers may be worth discussing.
If a tooth breaks suddenly, contact us right away. Our emergency dentistry services can help protect it until we complete your restoration.
These are the questions our patients ask most often.
We numb the area before we begin, and sedation options are available if dental visits make you anxious.
A crown can be shaped and shaded to blend with the teeth around it, and we will talk through your options before treatment.
A crown restores a natural tooth. When a tooth is missing, a crown can top an implant or anchor a bridge.
Most patients go back to their routine after treatment. We will give you instructions based on your crown type, which may include avoiding sticky foods while you wear a temporary crown.
Dr. Jeremy White and Dr. Darren Gardner bring more than 30 years of combined experience to our Orem practice, and both graduated with honors from dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University. We are proud to be affiliated with the American Dental Association and the Utah Dental Association.
We welcome patients from Orem, Vineyard, Lindon, and nearby Utah County communities, and we offer warm blankets, free on-site parking, and text appointment reminders to make your visit easier. Whether you need a traditional restoration or want to see if a same-day crown is right for you, schedule your consultation today, and we will walk you through your options.
594 East 800 South
Suite G
Orem, UT 84097
Open Today 8:30am – 5:30pm