If you have a damaged, weakened, or worn tooth, dental crowns in Rapid City might be exactly what you need to get your smile back on track. At Loftus Dental, our team has helped patients across the Black Hills restore their teeth with custom crowns, often wrapping up the entire procedure in a single appointment. Tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a worn-down molar. Whatever brought you here, we make the process easy, comfortable, and efficient.
Understanding Dental Crowns
A tooth can take a lot of wear over the years, and at some point, a filling isn’t enough to hold things together. That’s where dental crowns come in. A crown fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth, reinforcing its structure and restoring how it looks and functions. Teeth that are cracked, heavily decayed, or worn down respond well to this kind of full coverage, which is why dental crowns have been a cornerstone of restorative dentistry for decades.
Beyond fixing individual teeth, crowns serve a wider role in overall dental care. They’re placed on top of dental implants, used to anchor dental bridges on either side of a gap, and routinely recommended after root canal therapy to keep the treated tooth intact. Porcelain crowns are a particularly popular choice because they reflect light similarly to natural enamel, making them hard to distinguish from the surrounding teeth. Maintained well, a dental crown holds up for many years and keeps the tooth beneath it protected throughout.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Every Step of Our Dental Crown Procedure Explained
Your Evaluation Covers More Than Just the Damaged Tooth
Primarily, we do a thorough evaluation where our team takes a close look at the tooth in question. We use digital X-rays and, when needed, a CT scan to get a complete picture of what’s happening beneath the surface. This helps us confirm that a dental crown is the right solution and check on the health of the surrounding gum tissue and bone. If gum disease or other concerns are present, we’ll address those as part of your overall plan.
We Build Your Treatment Plan Around You, Not a Template
Once we’ve assessed your tooth, our team puts together a plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. We walk you through your options clearly, including crown material choices and what to expect from the procedure. If additional treatment like a root canal is needed beforehand, we’ll explain how that fits into the process. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed and confident before we move forward with placing your dental crowns.
Scanned, Milled, and Fitted Right Here in Our Practice
Once treatment begins, we prepare the tooth, take a precise digital scan, and use our in-office milling system to produce your custom crown on the spot. The entire fabrication happens right here while you wait. Once it’s ready, we check the fit and bite carefully before permanently bonding it in place. You leave with a completed, permanent crown. No placeholders, no return trips.
Protecting Your New Crown Starts the Moment You Leave
The first day or two after placement, stick to softer foods and avoid anything extremely hard or sticky. Some mild tenderness around the tooth is normal and usually settles quickly on its own. Continue brushing and flossing as usual, paying close attention to the gumline where the crown meets the tooth. Let us know if your bite feels uneven, as a minor adjustment can resolve discomfort fast.
Your Next Visit Tells Us Everything Is Working as It Should
At your next routine dental visit, we’ll check the crown’s fit, bite, and condition to confirm everything is performing as expected. It’s also a good time to raise anything that’s felt off since your procedure. Between visits, we’re always reachable by phone, and you don’t need to wait for a scheduled appointment to get answers. Staying current with dental care is the most reliable way to keep your restoration in good shape long-term.
Why Choose Us for Dental Crowns
Our practice fabricates crowns on-site using two Primescan and Primemill systems, which means there’s no outside lab involved and no waiting period between appointments. Your crown is built to precise digital specifications and bonded the same day. Patients regularly tell us they were surprised by how fast and comfortable the process was, and that kind of feedback is exactly what we aim for.
If a root canal is needed first, we handle that here too, same team, same visit when possible. We also offer sedation options like laughing gas and IV sedation for patients who feel anxious, so there’s no reason to put off care you need. Our practice has provided dental crowns and comprehensive restorative dentistry in the Black Hills for over 40 years, and that depth of experience shows in the results.
FAQs
How long does a dental crown last?
With proper care, dental crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or longer. The lifespan depends on factors like the material used, your bite, and how consistently you keep up with oral hygiene at home. Routine dental visits let us catch any wear or fit issues early, before they become bigger problems. Steering clear of habits that put excess pressure on your teeth, like biting hard objects or clenching, goes a long way toward preserving the restoration.
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
What many people expect to be a difficult experience when getting dental crowns usually turns out to be far more manageable than anticipated. The tooth and surrounding area are numbed thoroughly before any preparation begins, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Any tenderness after the anesthetic wears off is typically mild and short-lived. If you’re feeling anxious, we offer sedation options including laughing gas to help you stay relaxed from start to finish.
When is a dental crown necessary?
A crown is typically recommended once a tooth has been significantly damaged, weakened, or decayed to the point where a filling alone won’t provide enough support. Common situations include a cracked or fractured tooth, a large cavity, a tooth that’s had a root canal, or one that’s been worn down over time. Crowns are also used to cover a dental implant or hold a dental bridge in place. Our team will let you know if dental crowns are the right solution after evaluating your tooth.
Can a crown be placed on a tooth with a root canal?
Yes, and in fact, a crown is often recommended after root canal therapy. A root canal removes infected tissue from inside the tooth, which can leave the tooth more brittle and susceptible to cracking. Placing a crown over the treated tooth protects it and restores its full function. In many cases, we can complete both the root canal and the crown on the same day, saving you time and extra appointments.
What's the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown covers the entire tooth, from the gumline up, and is used primarily to restore strength and function to a damaged tooth. A veneer, on the other hand, is a thin shell that covers only the front surface of a tooth. It’s mainly a cosmetic solution for improving appearance. Dental crowns are the better choice for structural restoration, while veneers work well for teeth that are healthy but cosmetically imperfect. Our team can help you figure out which option makes more sense for your specific goals.
Why wait two weeks? Get Dental Crowns in Rapid City Today
A cracked tooth doesn’t get better on its own, and putting off a crown usually means more work down the road. At Loftus Dental, we’ve built our process for dental crowns around one goal: get you in, get it done well, and get you back to your day. No outside lab, no temporary fix sitting in your mouth for two weeks, no second appointment penciled in.
Our patients have plenty to say about their experience. Find us on Google Maps to read their Google reviews and get directions straight to our Rapid City practice. Ready to get started? Reach us at 605.341.4521 to schedule your visit.
