Flexible financing — because your smile shouldn't wait
We work with CareCredit and Sunbit to make treatment affordable. Apply in minutes with no hard credit pull.
We work with CareCredit and Sunbit to make treatment affordable. Apply in minutes with no hard credit pull.
At White Pine Family Dental, our goal is to provide restorations that are genuinely undetectable. When a tooth is too damaged for a filling but doesn’t yet need extraction, a dental crown is the right answer — and we offer same-day crowns using emax ceramic and zirconia materials milled right in our Reno office. No temporary crown, no second appointment, no weeks of waiting.
We primarily use ceramic (emax) or zirconia crowns depending on each patient’s situation. Both materials match your natural tooth color, hold up to everyday chewing, and are shaped to fit your bite precisely. Learn more about our full range of restorative dentistry services in Reno or schedule a consultation to find out if a crown is right for you.
A dental crown is a full-coverage cap made of ceramic, zirconia, or porcelain that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used when a tooth has too much decay or damage for a filling to hold, when it has cracked under pressure, or when it needs protection after a root canal.
At White Pine Family Dental, we primarily place emax ceramic and zirconia crowns. Both materials are tooth-colored, biocompatible, and strong enough for back teeth that handle real chewing force. They also look completely natural with no gray lines at the gumline and no visible metal.
If you’re already dealing with a cracked or sensitive tooth, consider reviewing our dental fillings in Reno to understand when a filling is still an option, or our root canal treatment in Reno if your tooth has been referred for endodontic treatment first.
Most practices in Reno require two separate appointments for a crown — one to prepare the tooth and place a temporary, and a second visit weeks later to cement the permanent restoration. At White Pine Family Dental, we mill emax ceramic and zirconia crowns in-office, which means you leave your first appointment with your permanent crown already placed. No temporary crown to protect. No second appointment to schedule around your work week.
The process works like this: we remove any decay, shape the tooth to accept the crown, take a digital scan of the preparation, and mill your custom crown from a solid ceramic block. Once the fit and color are confirmed, the crown is cemented in place — typically all within a single appointment. The result is a durable, natural-looking restoration that functions exactly like your original tooth.
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile restorations in dentistry. They address structural problems that fillings, veneers, and bonding cannot fix on their own. Common situations where a crown is the right treatment include: large or failing fillings, cracked teeth, broken or worn-down teeth, teeth treated with root canal therapy, severely discolored teeth, and dental bridge in Reno anchors — crowns placed on adjacent teeth hold a bridge in position to replace a missing tooth.
If you’re unsure whether you need a crown, a filling, or something else entirely, a consultation with one of our Reno dentists will give you a clear answer. We use digital imaging to evaluate the extent of damage and give you an honest recommendation.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are many cases where you might need to get a dental crown. The following are a few strong signs you should get a crown, and we recommend seeking dental care sooner rather than later if you exhibit any of these needs:
While a dental crown may seem like the perfect solution for your dental troubles, it’s essential to ensure you’re a good fit for the treatment first. The best way to learn whether you’re eligible for any dental treatment is to get a complete consultation with a thorough exam. However, we can let you know that the following factors can play a significant role in the decision your dental provider will make:
When you come in for your Reno, NV dental crown consultation, you and your provider will discuss these factors in greater detail. It’s essential that your provider has all the necessary information to make an accurate and healthy decision, so we encourage you to be open when you come in for your appointment.
After you get your dental crown, you’ll likely want to make sure that it stays looking and acting its best for as long as possible. Taking good care of your crowns will help ensure that they are long-lasting and stay durable. The following are just a few recommendations for our patients who want to take good care of their crowns:
Following these steps and recommendations is key to ensuring your crown stays beautiful and functional for many years. If you need any other pointers, please contact us with any questions.
White Pine Family Dental has served Reno patients across all stages of dental health — from first-time crown placements to replacing crowns that have worn out after 20 years. Our providers, Dr. Kenneth Prince, Dr. Mary Papez-Berg, and Dr. Tiffany Nguyen, bring decades of combined experience to every restorative case, and our in-office milling equipment means we can deliver a same-day crown without sending your case to an outside lab.
If you have a tooth that’s broken, cracked, heavily filled, or was treated with a root canal, don’t wait until the problem escalates. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible financial options for patients without coverage. Use our online contact form to schedule an evaluation, or call our Reno office directly to find the next available appointment.
White Pine Family Dental · Reno, NV
New patient exam
Comprehensive initial visit
Teeth cleaning
Routine professional cleaning
Teeth whitening
Professional in-office treatment
Dental bonding
Cosmetic bonding per tooth
Dental crown
Build-up available: +$419
Dental bridge
Pontic $1,696 · Retainer/abutment $1,708
Dentures
Per arch
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Our Reno team is happy to walk you through your options — no pressure, no commitment.
Prices are starting rates and may vary based on individual treatment needs. Contact our office for a personalized estimate and to discuss your insurance coverage.
Dental crowns last an average of 5-15 years, though many endure 15-30 years with excellent care—lifespan depends on crown material, oral hygiene, chewing habits, crown location, and quality of placement. Zirconia and gold crowns are most durable (15-30+ years), porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns last 10-15 years, all-ceramic/porcelain crowns last 10-15 years, and resin crowns last 5-10 years. Factors shortening crown life include teeth grinding/clenching (bruxism), using teeth as tools, chewing hard foods (ice, hard candy, nuts), poor oral hygiene allowing decay under crowns, gum disease causing bone loss, and inadequate initial fit creating gaps for bacteria. Factors extending crown life include wearing night guard if you grind teeth, excellent oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, regular cleanings), avoiding extremely hard/sticky foods, regular dental checkups to catch problems early, and having crowns placed by skilled dentists ensuring proper fit and bite. Crowns on back teeth experience more chewing force and may wear faster than front tooth crowns.
Traditional crown placement requires two appointments over 2–3 weeks, though same-day crowns are completed in one visit. First appointment (60–90 minutes): your dentist examines the tooth, removes decay, shapes it to accept the crown, takes digital impressions, and places a temporary. Second appointment (30–60 minutes): the permanent crown is cemented and adjusted for bite. At White Pine Family Dental we mill same-day emax and zirconia crowns in-office — most patients leave with their permanent crown the same day. Schedule a dental crown appointment in Reno to find out if same-day is right for your case.
Dental crown costs vary widely based on material, location, and dentist expertise. Porcelain/ceramic crowns cost $800-$3,000 per tooth (average $1,000-$1,500), porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cost $800-$2,500, gold crowns cost $1,000-$3,500+, zirconia crowns cost $1,000-$2,500, and resin crowns cost $600-$1,300. Fees typically include both appointments, temporary crown, impressions, and crown fabrication. Additional costs may include dental exam and X-rays ($75-$300), root canal if needed ($700-$1,500+), core buildup to support crown ($150-400), or tooth extraction if crown isn’t viable ($75-$650). Most dental insurance plans cover 50% of crown costs when medically necessary (not cosmetic), with typical annual benefit maximums of $1,000-$2,000. Insurance often requires documentation that crowns are necessary to restore function or prevent further damage. Many dental offices including White Pine Family Dental offer payment plans or financing options. While crowns represent significant investment, they protect compromised teeth from fracture, restore function, and can last 10-20+ years. Call (775) 871-1186 to discuss options.
Several crown materials offer different advantages. Porcelain/all-ceramic provides the most natural appearance, ideal for front teeth, but more prone to chipping (lifespan 10–15 years). Porcelain-fused-to-metal offers strength with a natural look but may show a gray line at the gumline. Zirconia is the strongest tooth-colored option, excellent for back teeth with high bite force (lifespan 15–25 years). Gold alloy is the most durable material but is rarely chosen for aesthetic reasons. At our Reno office, we primarily use restorative dental materials in Reno including emax ceramic and zirconia based on your tooth’s position and function.
Root canals are not always necessary before crown placement—many teeth can be crowned without root canal treatment. Crowns are needed when teeth have large fillings, significant decay, cracks/fractures, or excessive wear compromising structure but the inner pulp (nerve and blood vessels) remains healthy. After your dentist removes decay and prepares tooth, if pulp remains unaffected, no root canal is needed. However, some situations require root canal before crown: tooth with deep decay reaching pulp, cracked teeth with exposed pulp causing pain, teeth with previous root canal needing crown protection, or teeth requiring extensive preparation risking pulp exposure. Additionally, some teeth develop pulp irritation and require root canal after crown placement if post-procedure sensitivity doesn’t resolve (occurs in approximately 5-15% of crowned teeth). Your dentist evaluates pulp health through clinical examination, X-rays, and pulp vitality tests before deciding whether root canal is necessary. Root canal-treated teeth always need crowns because they become brittle without internal blood supply and are prone to fracture—crowns protect and strengthen them.
Several warning signs indicate your crown may be failing and requires evaluation: pain or sensitivity underneath the crown (especially to pressure, hot, or cold) suggests decay, infection, or crown damage; visible cracks or chips; crown feels loose or rocks when you bite; dark line at the gumline (usually on older porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns); or the crown has been in place for 15+ years. Don’t wait if you notice any of these — call our Reno dental office to schedule an evaluation. Catching a failing crown early prevents the need for extraction and implant replacement.
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Phone: (775) 825-6655
Fax: (775) 825-8691
