Dental Crowns Tumwater, WA
If you have a damaged or weakened tooth, you may worry about whether a repair will actually look natural. A dental crown answers that worry: it protects the tooth while restoring its natural appearance. At Deschutes River Dentistry, our crown of choice is zirconia, a remarkably strong, tooth-colored material that gives you a restoration built to last and made to blend right in with your smile.
What Is a Zirconia Crown?
A dental crown is a custom cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. Zirconia is a type of ceramic, made from zirconium dioxide, and it’s prized in dentistry for one standout quality: strength. It’s one of the most durable, fracture-resistant crown materials available, which makes it an excellent choice for teeth that take on heavy chewing forces. At the same time, zirconia is tooth-colored and can be shaded to match the teeth around it, so your crown looks like a natural part of your smile rather than a repair. Because it contains no metal, there’s no dark line at the gumline, and it’s a comfortable, biocompatible option for patients with metal sensitivities.
How Are Zirconia Crowns Placed?
Getting a zirconia crown is a straightforward, two-visit process. At your first appointment, we’ll examine the tooth, take digital X-rays, and create a detailed impression so we can plan your treatment precisely. That impression goes to our trusted dental lab, where skilled technicians craft your custom crown to fit your bite and match your smile. Before you leave, we’ll usually place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth while your permanent one is being made.
When your crown is ready, you’ll come back for a second visit to have it placed. We start with a gentle local anesthetic so you stay comfortable, then carefully reshape the tooth so the crown fits naturally without looking bulky. Finally, we bond your new crown securely in place with strong dental cement.
That reshaping step is important: it makes room for the crown so your finished tooth looks and feels natural, and so the crown sits properly alongside your neighboring teeth.
The Benefits of Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia has quickly become one of the most popular crown materials, and it’s easy to see why:
- Exceptional strength. Zirconia resists chipping, cracking, and wear better than many traditional crown materials, so it holds up well even on back teeth that do the heavy lifting when you chew.
- A natural look. Modern zirconia is tooth-colored and shade-matched to your smile, giving you a restoration that blends in seamlessly.
- Metal-free comfort. With no metal core, zirconia crowns avoid the dark gumline that older crowns can develop, and they’re a great fit for patients who prefer a biocompatible, metal-free option.
- Long-lasting results. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, a well-made zirconia crown can last many years, protecting your tooth and your smile for the long haul.
If you’d like to learn more about zirconia crowns and whether they’re the right fit for your smile, we’d love to help. Call Deschutes River Dentistry at (360) 786-9354 to schedule your consultation, and we’ll answer all your questions along the way.