Enjoy Local Eats Again with Strong, Beautiful Dental Crowns
Our practice’s foundation is built on decades of skill and compassionate care. Dr. Frank Incrapera brings over 40 years of dentistry experience, while Dr. Viet “Vince” Tran contributes modern dentistry techniques.
Rediscover Houston’s Local Flavor Without Fear!
The true measure of a successful custom dental crown is how well it allows you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like food. A successful restorative treatment with our Houston team means:
- Juicy Steaks at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse: Indulge in perfectly cooked prime cuts without fear of pain or cracking a tooth. Located just minutes from our Houston office.
- Ribs and BBQ at Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina: Fall-off-the-bone ribs, brisket, and smoked meats are much easier to enjoy with a strong porcelain crown in place.
- Crunchy Tacos at El Tiempo Cantina: Hard shell tacos are no longer intimidating with tooth crowns; bite into your favorite Tex-Mex creations with confidence.
Your dental crown is an investment that unlocks your local food adventure again! When you visit our dental practice on Kimberley Lane, you’re receiving a high-quality, long-lasting restoration that lets you embrace your overall oral health and smile.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown (dental cap) is a fixed restoration cemented permanently onto prepared tooth enamel. It functions as the tooth’s new external surface, covering the entire visible part of the tooth above the gum line. Think of it as a protective shield that also restores your tooth’s natural appearance. Dental crowns can be made from various materials. Ask our dentists about metal crowns, ceramic crowns, and zirconia crowns at your consultation.
When Are Dental Crowns An Option?
The decision to use a crown instead of a filling or bonding is based on the extent of the damage. Our doctor typically recommends a crown in these key scenarios:
- Protecting a Weak Tooth: A tooth with a very large filling that leaves little natural tooth structure remaining is susceptible to fracturing. A crown holds the tooth together, providing necessary stability and strength.
- Restoring a Broken or Severely Worn Tooth: Accidents or long-term wear can cause significant damage. A crown is the most effective way to rebuild the tooth and restore its correct biting surface and shape.
- Covering a Tooth After Root Canal Therapy: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy often become brittle. Placing a crown is vital for sealing and protecting the tooth from future damage and infection.
- Supporting a Dental Bridge: Crowns are used on the teeth adjacent to a gap (known as abutment teeth) to anchor and support a dental bridge, replacing one or more missing teeth.
- Addressing Cosmetic Imperfections: Crowns can cover severely misshapen or discolored teeth when less intensive options, such as cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers, are insufficient.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer substantial benefits for both oral function and confidence. Common advantages include:
- Restores strength to weakened teeth
- Supports proper chewing and bite function
- Protects teeth after root canal therapy
- Enhances long-term oral health
- Provides stability for dental implants
Crowns serve as a reliable, time-tested solution for restoring smiles with a natural appearance and comfortable function. To determine if dental crowns are right for you, please call our friendly staff at (713) 827-8200 to schedule a consultation.
The Dental Crown Process in Houston
Visit One: Preparation and Impressions
- Preparation: Your dentist will numb the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. They then carefully reshape the damaged tooth, removing weakened material and creating a stable, customized core onto which the crown will sit.
- Impressions: Detailed impressions (molds) of the prepared tooth and your surrounding teeth are taken. These molds are sent to a specialized dental laboratory, where your custom-designed restoration is fabricated.
- Temporary Crown: A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth and maintain function while the permanent crown is being created. The dental crown procedure typically requires one or two visits to the dentist.
Visit Two: Placement and Final Checks
- Seating the Crown: Once the permanent, custom-made dental crown arrives from the lab, the temporary crown is removed. The dentist checks the fit, shape, and color to confirm it meets our high standards for aesthetics and function.
- Final Cementation: If everyone is satisfied, the crown is permanently bonded to the tooth using a strong dental cement.
Aftercare and Maintenance Tips for Dental Crown Placement
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, crowns placed by Dr. Vince Tran and Dr. Frank Incrapera can last many years. Their durability depends on factors like:
- Daily brushing and flossing habits
- Dietary choices
- Managing teeth grinding or clenching
A dental crown can last an average of about 10 years.
- Daily brushing and flossing habits
- Dietary choices
- Managing teeth grinding or clenching
- Routine dental checkups
Financing Dental Crown Costs Near You
Insurance and Dental Benefits We Accept
We are insurance-friendly and welcome many major dental insurance providers for dental financing. If you have coverage, bring in your plan information, and we’ll help you maximize your benefits. For treatments like crowns, our team will carefully review your dental insurance coverage, help you estimate what’s covered, and provide transparent cost estimates before starting work.
Third-Party Financing
We partner with Proceed, CareCredit, and Cherry, some of the nation’s most reliable healthcare financing companies. These programs allow you to create affordable payment plans that fit your budget and lifestyle, so you can move forward with treatments like dental crowns, cosmetic procedures, or restorative dentistry without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
After receiving a dental crown, it’s important to care for your new restoration while it settles. Avoid biting hard foods—like ice, hard candies, or popcorn kernels—for at least 24 hours if you have a temporary crown. Once your permanent crown is in place, you can resume normal eating habits. Aftercare instructions may include waiting an hour before eating or drinking following cementing of the crown.
The cost of a dental crown in Houston, TX, can vary depending on the material used, the complexity of the procedure. At Kimberly Lane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, our staff and cosmetic dentists can help patients navigate insurance coverage and offer flexible financing options for your new crown and tooth preparation.
A crown protects and strengthens a compromised or fractured tooth underneath, but the underlying tooth still needs care. If bacteria or decay develop around the edges of a crown, it can lead to further issues. That’s why routine dental checkups and good oral hygiene are essential.
No, getting a dental crown doesn’t hurt. Your dentist will numb the area before preparing the tooth, so the procedure is generally painless. Some sensitivity to pressure or temperature may occur for a few days after placement, especially if a temporary crown was used.
Restore Your Smile With Tooth Caps From Houston’s Best Dentists
If you have a tooth that aches, is broken, or has been compromised by a root canal, ignoring the problem will only lead to greater pain and more costly treatments down the road. Whether you’re from Memorial City, The Heights, or Bellaire, our team is ready to repair and rejuvenate your healthy smile. Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a large dental emergency.
Take the first step toward restoring your smile’s full strength and beauty today. Call our local Texas dental office at (713) 827-8200 to schedule your crown consultation.