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Dental Crowns in Kalispell, MT

Protect. Restore. Smile with Confidence.

At Montana Dental Works, we know your smile isn’t just about looks—it’s about function, comfort, and the confidence to live life without worrying about your teeth. Dental crowns are one of the most reliable, long-lasting solutions for repairing and protecting damaged teeth while restoring a natural, beautiful appearance.

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Whether your tooth has been weakened by decay, cracked from an old filling, or damaged from an accident, we create crowns that fit seamlessly, look natural, and feel just like your own tooth.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is like a custom-made “helmet” for your tooth—designed to completely cover it above the gumline. It’s crafted to look and feel just like your natural tooth, but with the added benefit of extra strength and protection. Crowns are incredibly durable, helping to restore your tooth’s original shape, size, and function, while also shielding it from further damage.

 

Because each crown is made just for you, it blends seamlessly with your smile—so no one will even know it’s there.

We often recommend crowns when:

  • A tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold – For teeth with large cavities or fractures where a filling wouldn’t provide enough support.

  • You’ve had a root canal and need to protect the tooth – After a root canal, teeth can become more brittle, and a crown helps protect and strengthen them.

  • A large old filling has cracked or failed – Replacing the damaged tooth structure with a crown can prevent further issues.

  • You want to improve the look of a misshapen or discolored tooth – Crowns can dramatically enhance the appearance of a single tooth or your overall smile.

  • You’re replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant – The crown acts as the visible “tooth” that attaches to the implant post.

 

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns aren’t just about fixing a problem—they’re about restoring confidence in your smile and protecting your teeth for the long haul. Here’s why so many of our Kalispell, Whitefish, and Bigfork patients choose crowns:

  • Restores Function – Allows you to chew, bite, and speak comfortably again.

  • Protects Weak Teeth – Shields damaged or cracked teeth from further harm.

  • Improves Appearance – Corrects discoloration, uneven shapes, and visible damage.

  • Custom Fit & Look – Blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth for a natural smile.

  • Long-Term Solution – With proper care, crowns can last over a decade.

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Why Choose a Crown Over Other Options?

  • Stronger Than Fillings – Large fillings can weaken a tooth; a crown strengthens and protects it.

  • More Natural Than Metal Fillings – Especially with porcelain crowns, no one will know it’s not your real tooth.

  • Versatile – Can be used for damage repair, cosmetic improvements, or on top of dental implants.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are our most popular option for patients who want a strong, natural-looking smile—especially for front teeth.

 

Benefits & Pros:

  • Matches your surrounding teeth in color, shape, and translucency

  • Stain-resistant, so your crown will stay bright for years

  • Metal-free option for patients with sensitivities

  • Durable enough for everyday use

 

Timeline:

  • Usually completed in two visits over 2–3 weeks

  • First visit: tooth preparation, digital scans, and a temporary crown placement

  • Second visit: custom porcelain crown placement and final bite adjustments

 

Longevity:

  • With proper care, porcelain crowns can last 10–15 years or more

  • Best maintained with daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups

 

 

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns combine the beauty of porcelain with the strength of a metal base, making them ideal for back teeth that endure more pressure.

 

Benefits & Pros:

  • Stronger than all-porcelain for chewing and grinding surfaces

  • Still offers a tooth-colored appearance for a natural look

  • Long track record of proven durability

 

Timeline:

  • Usually completed in two visits over 2–3 weeks

  • Similar process to porcelain crowns: preparation, temporary crown, final placement

 

Longevity:

  • Lasts 10–15 years on average, sometimes longer with good care

  • Strong enough for heavy chewing, though porcelain surface may eventually show minor wear

Same-Day Crowns (When Available)

Thanks to advanced digital technology, some crowns can be designed, crafted, and placed in just one visit.

 

Benefits & Pros:

  • No temporary crown or second appointment needed

  • Digital impressions—no messy putty molds

  • Quick, convenient, and precise fit

 

Timeline:

  • Single appointment—usually 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish

  • Includes preparation, digital scanning, milling, and placement

 

Longevity:

  • Similar lifespan to traditional crowns: 10–15 years with proper care

  • Crafted from high-quality ceramic designed to withstand daily use

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Learm more about our Same-Day Crowns.

Dental Crowns

How to Choose the Right Crown Material

Choosing the right dental crown isn’t just about restoring a tooth—it’s about finding the best balance between strength, appearance, and long-term comfort. At Montana Dental Works, we take the time to walk you through your options so you feel confident in your choice. Here’s what we’ll consider together:

  • Where the Crown Will Be Placed
    Teeth in the front of your mouth benefit from a more natural-looking material like porcelain, while molars need something stronger—such as porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-metal crowns—to withstand heavy chewing.

  • Aesthetics vs. Strength
    If your priority is a seamless, natural look, porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal may be the way to go. If durability is most important (especially for back teeth), metal crowns offer unmatched strength.

  • Your Bite and Wear Habits
    If you grind your teeth or have a strong bite, certain materials hold up better over time. We’ll factor this into our recommendation to ensure your crown lasts.

  • Allergies or Sensitivities
    Some patients prefer to avoid metal for health or allergy reasons—if that’s the case, we’ll recommend an all-ceramic or zirconia crown.

  • Your Budget and Insurance Coverage
    Different crown materials vary in cost, so we’ll help you find the best option that meets your needs and fits your budget. We’ll also review your insurance coverage to see what’s included.

Our goal is simple: help you choose a crown that not only restores your tooth but also feels comfortable, looks beautiful, and lasts for years.

Insurance & Payment Options for Dental Crowns

We know that needing a dental crown can sometimes feel overwhelming—not just because of the procedure, but because of the cost. The good news? Most dental insurance plans will help cover a crown when it’s needed to restore your tooth’s health and function, such as after a root canal, repairing a broken tooth, or replacing a large failing filling. If you’re getting a crown purely for cosmetic reasons, coverage is less common, but we’ll still do everything we can to help make your treatment affordable.

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At Montana Dental Works, we take the guesswork out of the financial side of your care. We:

  • Check your insurance benefits ahead of time so you know exactly what’s covered.

  • Provide a detailed estimate before treatment begins so there are no surprises.

  • Offer CareCredit® financing with low monthly payment options, making it easier to fit a crown into your budget without delaying care.

 

Our goal is simple—help you get the crown you need now, so you can protect your smile and avoid more complex (and expensive) treatment later. We’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure your dental health stays a priority without adding unnecessary stress to your wallet.

How Dental Crowns and Implants Work Together

When you’re missing a tooth, one of the most natural-feeling and long-lasting solutions is a dental implant paired with a crown. Think of it as a two-part team:

  • The Dental Implant: This is the foundation—a small titanium post placed in your jawbone to act as a replacement root. It fuses with the bone over time, creating a secure and stable base.

  • The Dental Crown: Once the implant is fully healed, we place a custom-made crown on top. This crown is designed to match your surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color, so your smile looks seamless.

 

Why They Work So Well Together:

  • Strength & Stability: The implant anchors the crown, so it feels and functions like a natural tooth.

  • No Impact on Neighboring Teeth: Unlike a dental bridge, implants don’t require support from adjacent teeth—keeping the rest of your smile strong.

  • Long-Term Solution: With proper care, your implant can last decades, and the crown can be replaced if it ever wears down.

  • Natural Look & Feel: The crown is crafted to blend beautifully with your smile while the implant provides a solid, “real tooth” feel when you chew and speak.

 

At Montana Dental Works, we work closely with you to ensure your implant and crown fit perfectly together—both in function and appearance—so you can eat, talk, and smile with confidence again.

In-House Dental Crowns

Same-day crowns aren’t new to dentistry, but at Montana Dental Works, we chose to hold off on offering them until the technology could meet our quality standards. While the convenience of same-day crowns has always been appealing, earlier systems often came with drawbacks. These crowns were typically milled very quickly, which could cause micro-chipping around the margins. They also relied on a 3-axis milling plane with a larger 1.2mm final bur size. In simple terms, that meant crowns with a less accurate fit and finish—something dentists could spot immediately. It wasn’t a result we felt comfortable providing to our patients.

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Our approach is different. We use a dental lab–quality mill that operates on a 5-axis system, uses twice as many burs to refine the fit and finish, and completes the process with a smaller .6mm final bur size. This technology produces crowns with superior accuracy, smoother margins, and a more natural feel. While the process takes about 20 minutes longer, the end result is a crown we’re proud to deliver—and one that provides our patients with the durability, comfort, and precision they deserve.

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Why Not All Same-Day Crowns Are Equal

The Problem with Traditional Same-Day Crowns

  • Speed Over Quality: Most same-day systems are designed to produce crowns quickly—but that speed can sacrifice accuracy.

  • Chipping at the Margins: Fast milling often causes tiny chips at the edges of the crown, which can compromise the long-term seal.

  • Limited Milling Precision: Older systems rely on a 3-axis mill with a larger 1.2mm final bur, which means less detail and a rougher fit.

  • Noticeable Difference: Dentists can often tell when a crown was made with these systems—the fit and finish just aren’t the same.

 

Our Advanced Process

  • 5-Axis Milling: Instead of cutting on just three planes, our technology mills from five angles for greater precision.

  • Smaller Bur Size (.6mm): This allows for a smoother, more natural finish and a better seal at the margins.

  • More Refinement Steps: Twice as many burs are used during the process, creating a stronger, longer-lasting crown.

  • 20 Minutes More = Years of Difference: While it takes a little longer, the result is a crown that looks and feels like it came from a top dental lab—without the wait.

 

We believe patients deserve crowns that don’t just fit “well enough,” but crowns that fit beautifully, last longer, and protect the health of their teeth. That’s why we chose a system that values quality and longevity over speed alone.

Frequently asked questions

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