PGA Dentistry Can Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns
A dental crown is one of the most versatile and effective restorations in dentistry. Tooth pain, sensitivity, a crack you can feel with your tongue, or a filling that’s been there for years can all be signs that you need a dental crown.
At PGA Dentistry in Palm Beach Gardens, Dr. Jay Ajmo has been placing custom dental crowns for over 35 years, helping patients throughout Palm Beach County, from Jupiter to West Palm Beach, save teeth they feared they might lose. If you’re dealing with any unusual oral health symptoms mentioned below, call us at (561) 627-8666.
Severe Tooth Decay That a Filling Can't Fix
When decay is caught early, a simple tooth-colored filling is often all that’s needed. But when the decay progresses to the point where it has destroyed a large portion of the tooth’s structure, or has reached close to the pulp, a filling alone won’t provide enough support.
A dental crown is a protective cap that covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. Without it, a heavily decayed tooth is at serious risk of fracturing under normal biting pressure.
Signs that the tooth decay may have gone too far for a routine filling:
- A persistent dull ache or throbbing ache that doesn’t resolve
- Visible dark spots, holes, or pitting on the tooth surface
- Sensitivity that lingers for more than a few seconds after eating something hot, cold, or sweet
- A previous filling that has fallen out, cracked, or feels loose
A tooth that needed a crown six months ago may need a root canal or extraction today. The sooner a crown is placed, the better the odds of saving the natural tooth.
A Cracked or Fractured Tooth
Cracked teeth are one of the most common reasons patients visit PGA Dentistry for a crown appointment. Cracks can happen from biting into something hard, a sports injury, a fall, or just years of cumulative stress on the tooth.
Left untreated, a crack can propagate vertically down the root, at which point the tooth may not be savable at all. A crown placed over a cracked tooth holds the tooth together, distributes biting forces evenly, and stops the crack from worsening.
Warning signs of a cracked tooth:
- Sharp, fleeting pain when you bite down, especially when releasing the bite
- Pain or sensitivity that seems to “come and go” rather than being constant
- Sensitivity to cold that lingers several seconds after the cold is removed
- A rough or jagged edge you can feel with your tongue
- Discomfort when chewing on one side of your mouth
A Large or Failing Filling
Fillings don’t last forever. Over time-typically 10 to 20 years for composite resin, longer for amalgam-fillings can wear down, crack, develop gaps at the margins, or allow new decay to form underneath. When a filling takes up more than half the width of a tooth, or when it begins to fail, a crown is usually the recommended restoration.
This is especially true for back teeth (molars and premolars), which absorb enormous pressure with every bite.
Signs your filling may need to be replaced with a crown:
- Temperature sensitivity that has recently developed or worsened around a filled tooth
- A visible crack or chip in or around the filling
- The filling feels “high,” or your bite feels off
- Food consistently packs into or around the filling
- Dentists note that decay has formed under or around the filling on X-rays
After a Root Canal Treatment
If you’ve just had a root canal, our dentist has likely already told you a crown is next. The root canal procedure requires Dr. Ajmo to access the inner chamber of the tooth to remove infected or damaged pulp. This process necessarily weakens the tooth structure.
A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and more vulnerable to fracture than a healthy tooth. A dental crown restores the tooth’s full strength, seals it against reinfection, and allows you to bite and chew normally. Skipping the crown after a root canal is one of the most common and costly mistakes patients make. Studies show that teeth without post-root-canal crowns are significantly more likely to fracture and require extraction.
At PGA Dentistry, Dr. Ajmo typically recommends placing the crown within a few weeks of root canal completion. The longer you wait, the higher the fracture risk.
A Tooth Worn Down by Grinding (Bruxism)
Millions of Americans grind their teeth, often while sleeping and often without realizing it. Over the years, bruxism can grind teeth down to flat, shortened stubs, erode enamel, cause jaw pain, and create an uneven bite that causes even more grinding. It’s a cycle that gets worse without intervention.
Dental crowns restore the height, shape, and function of teeth that have been significantly worn. In combination with a custom night guard to protect the investment, crowns can halt the damage and relieve the associated symptoms.
Signs bruxism may be affecting your teeth:
- Teeth that look shorter, flatter, or more “square” than they used to
- Chipped or cracked teeth with no clear traumatic cause
- Morning jaw pain, headaches, or ear aches
- A partner who has told you that you grind your teeth at night
- Increased tooth sensitivity across multiple teeth
Severely Discolored or Misshapen Teeth
Not every reason for a dental crown is about damage or decay. Crowns are also a powerful cosmetic solution for teeth that are significantly discolored in ways that bleaching can’t correct, such as deep intrinsic staining, old silver fillings showing through, or teeth that are unusually small, oddly shaped, or simply don’t match the rest of your smile.
In these cosmetic cases, a porcelain or zirconia crown can be crafted to precisely match the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth, creating a seamless, natural-looking result. Many patients at PGA Dentistry choose crowns as part of a broader smile makeover alongside veneers and teeth whitening.
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry in Palm Beach Gardens, few dentists bring the depth of expertise that Dr. Jay Ajmo has spent over 35 years building. Recognized as a Master-Level Cosmetic Dentist and named Most Prestigious Cosmetic Dentist by Best of South Florida, Dr. Ajmo approaches every smile with the precision of an artist and the rigor of a clinician. His cosmetic work spans the full spectrum, from porcelain veneers and smile makeovers to teeth whitening, Invisalign, and full-mouth reconstructions, and because he also holds dual board certification in implant dentistry (a distinction shared by fewer than 500 dentists worldwide), he can address the structural and health foundations of a smile at the same time as its appearance.
A Dental Implant That Needs Its Final Restoration
A dental implant has two parts, including the titanium post that acts as a tooth root, and the dental crown that sits on top and looks like a natural tooth. Once the implant post has fully integrated with the jawbone, a custom-made crown is attached to complete the restoration.
At PGA Dentistry, Dr. Ajmo is one of fewer than 500 dentists in the world to hold dual board certification (DABOI and DICOI) in implant dentistry. Both the implant surgery and the final crown restoration can be completed here, at one practice, under one doctor’s care.
Significant Enamel Loss or Erosion
Tooth enamel doesn’t regenerate. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Enamel can erode from acid reflux (GERD), a diet high in acidic foods and drinks, certain medications, or simply age. When enamel loss becomes significant, teeth become extremely sensitive, prone to cavities, and visually shorter or more yellowed (as the darker dentin underneath shows through).
A dental crown covers and protects what remains of the tooth structure, eliminates sensitivity, and restores the tooth’s natural appearance. In cases of widespread enamel erosion affecting multiple teeth, full-mouth reconstruction may involve crowns across the entire arch.
Your Dentist Recommends It, Despite Not Being in Pain
Some of the most serious dental problems, including deep decay, cracks, and early structural failure, produce little to no pain in their early stages. Pain is often the last symptom to appear, not the first.
If our dentists recommend a crown, it’s based on objective clinical findings:
- X-ray evidence of decay or bone loss
- Measurable crack depth
- A failing restoration
- Observable structural weakness
Waiting until it hurts typically means waiting until the problem has escalated, and the treatment has become more complex and more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if I need a crown or just a filling?
The general rule is that if a cavity or crack affects less than half the width of the tooth, a filling is often sufficient. If more than half the tooth is damaged, or if the tooth has had a root canal, is cracked, or has a large failing filling, a crown is typically the more appropriate and durable choice. Only a dentist can make this determination through examination and X-rays.
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Can a crowned tooth still get a cavity?
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth structure at the margin (where the crown meets the gumline) can. This is why maintaining good oral hygiene, especially flossing around the crown, and keeping up with regular cleanings is essential to protecting your investment.
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How long will a tooth last without a crown if my dentist says I need one?
This varies depending on the reason a crown was recommended. A tooth with deep decay may fracture within months. A tooth with a large filling and early cracking may hold up for a year or more, but the risk increases with every biting cycle. There is no predictable timeline, and the longer you wait, the more likely the tooth will need more extensive treatment, including root canal therapy or extraction.
Contact Our Dental Team for Your Crown Consultation
If you’ve recognized any of the signs above, or if your current dentist has recommended a crown and you’d like a second opinion, we’d love to see you at PGA Dentistry. Dr. Jay Ajmo has placed thousands of dental crowns over his 35+ year career, using the latest ceramic materials and techniques to create restorations that look completely natural and last for decades.
Call our crown dentist in Palm Beach Gardens at (561) 627-8666, or click below to request your appointment online.
Complimentary Consultation
or 2nd Opinion
- Exam
- Full mouth X-rays
- Private Consultation with Doctor ($450value)
7100 Fairway Dr Ste 59,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 627-8666
- Monday: 8am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
- Wednesday: 8am - 5pm
- Thursday: 8am - 5pm
- Friday: 8am - 1pm
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
