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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.
The right crown material depends on where the tooth is located, how much biting force it handles, and your aesthetic priorities. At White Pine Family Dental, we primarily place emax ceramic and zirconia crowns, both of which we mill in-office the same day.
| Emax Ceramic | Zirconia | Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Most natural — ideal for front teeth | Tooth-colored, no metal visible | May show gray line at gumline over time |
| Strength | Strong — good for most tooth positions | Strongest tooth-colored option | Strong — metal core adds durability |
| Typical lifespan | 10–15 years | 15–25 years | 10–15 years |
| Best for | Front teeth, aesthetic priority | Back teeth, heavy bite force | Back teeth, strength priority |
| Same-day at White Pine | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Lab-fabricated (2 visits) |
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:
Whether a crown is right for you depends on several clinical factors your provider will evaluate at your consultation. Key considerations include:
When you come in for your Reno dental crown consultation, your provider will review all of these factors with you. We encourage you to share your full health history so we can give you an honest, accurate recommendation.
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.
Most crowns last 10 to 15 years with normal care; zirconia crowns routinely reach 15 to 25 years. Lifespan depends on crown material, the tooth’s position in your mouth, your oral hygiene, and whether you grind or clench. Night guards, regular cleanings, and avoiding hard foods (ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels) all extend crown life significantly. Crowns on back teeth wear faster than front-tooth crowns due to higher chewing force.
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.
Crown costs vary by material and the complexity of the case. At White Pine Family Dental, a dental crown starts at $1,137, with a core buildup available for an additional $419 when needed. Most major dental insurance plans cover 50% of crown costs when medically necessary, up to your annual maximum (typically $1,000–$2,000). We work with Humana, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and most other major plans. For patients who need payment flexibility, we offer CareCredit financing — apply in minutes with no hard credit pull. Call (775) 415-8528 to discuss your benefits before your appointment.
Porcelain and emax ceramic crowns offer the most natural appearance and are the best choice for front teeth. Zirconia is the strongest tooth-colored material, ideal for back teeth that handle heavy chewing force, with a typical lifespan of 15 to 25 years. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns combine a metal core with a porcelain exterior — durable, but older PFM crowns may show a gray line at the gumline over time. At White Pine, we primarily place emax ceramic and zirconia crowns, both of which we mill in-office for same-day delivery. The right material depends on your tooth’s location, function, and your cosmetic priorities — we will walk you through the options at your consultation.
No — a root canal is not always required before a crown. If the tooth has decay, a crack, or a large failing filling but the pulp (nerve) remains healthy, the crown can go on without a root canal. A root canal becomes necessary when decay has reached the pulp, when a crack extends into the nerve, or when the tooth causes persistent pain. Root canal-treated teeth always need a crown afterward, because they lose their internal blood supply and become brittle — a crown protects and seals them. Your provider will evaluate pulp health with X-rays and a clinical exam before recommending any additional treatment.
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