Dental Crowns in Vancouver, WA

Are you dealing with a cracked, decayed, or damaged tooth? A dental crown can save your tooth, restore your smile, and protect your oral health. Dental crowns are one of the most common and effective procedures in restorative dentistry.

At Hazel Dell Dental Care, Dr. Erik Jenson uses crowns to preserve teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted. And because he has completed rigorous post-graduate education at the prestigious Dawson Academy, he doesn’t just place a crown and call it a day. He ensures it fits your bite, works with your jaw, and lasts for years.

Our Vancouver, WA, dental office is conveniently located at 6202 NE Hwy 99. We proudly serve patients from Hazel Dell, Felida, Salmon Creek, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Camas, Washougal, and all across Clark County.

Why Choose a Dawson-Trained Dentist for Your Crown?

Being Dawson-trained is a distinction held by only a small percentage of dentists. His advanced training at the prestigious Dawson Academy means he evaluates how your crown fits within your entire chewing system: your bite, your jaw joints, and your surrounding teeth.

A crown that doesn’t fit properly can cause:

• Jaw pain and TMJ disorders
• Chronic headaches
• Premature crown failure
• Damage to surrounding teeth

Dr. Jenson takes the time to get it right. That’s the difference between a quick fix and a long-term solution.

Nervous About Getting a Crown? You’re Not Alone.

Many patients feel anxious about dental work, especially procedures like crowns. At Hazel Dell Dental Care, we’re experienced at helping nervous patients feel comfortable and at ease with:

• Gentle numbing techniques: We use a topical gel before injections and go at your pace
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Helps you relax while staying awake and aware
• Calming environment: A warm, welcoming office designed with your comfort in mind
• Dr. Jenson’s gentle approach: Patients consistently describe him as “considerate and thorough” with a calm demeanor

You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through dental work. We’ll help you relax.

We’ll Never Recommend a Crown You Don’t Need

Dr. Jenson believes in conservative dentistry. If a filling or other restoration can save your tooth, that’s what he’ll recommend. Crowns are recommended only when necessary, such as for teeth that are too damaged for a filling or that need protection after a root canal. You’ll never feel pressured into treatment you don’t need.

What Exactly Is a Dental Crown?

Think of a crown like a helmet for your tooth. Your natural tooth has a visible part (the crown) and a root (below the gum line). When that visible part is damaged, cracked, decayed, worn down, or broken, a crown covers it completely. It wraps around the tooth like a protective cap.

The result is a tooth that looks normal, feels normal, and works like normal. You can chew, smile, and brush without thinking about it.

Why Would You Need a Crown?

Crowns solve a lot of problems. Here are the most common reasons Dr. Jenson recommends them:

• Your Tooth Is Cracked or Weakened. Sometimes a tooth has a crack that’s not visible to the naked eye. You might feel pain when you bite down, or you might feel nothing at all. Either way, that crack can get worse over time. A crown holds the tooth together and prevents the crack from spreading.
• Your Tooth Has a Large Filling. Fillings are great. But when a filling gets too large, there is not enough natural tooth left to support it, so the tooth becomes weak. A crown covers and protects what is left, giving you years of additional life out of that tooth.
• You Just Had a Root Canal. After a root canal, your tooth becomes more brittle. It’s still there and functional, but it needs protection. A crown covers the tooth and prevents it from cracking under normal chewing pressure.
• You Need to Cover a Dental Implant. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. But the implant post itself is just a metal anchor. The crown is the part that looks like a tooth. It attaches to the implant, completing your smile. Learn more about our dental implant services →
• You Have a Misshapen or Discolored Tooth. Sometimes a tooth is perfectly healthy but just doesn’t look right. Maybe it’s too small or an odd shape. Maybe it’s a different color from the surrounding teeth. A crown can fix all of that.
• You Need to Anchor a Dental Bridge. If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge fills the gap. Crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap hold the bridge in place.

The Crown Process at Hazel Dell Dental Care

First Visit: Preparation

Getting a crown usually takes two visits. The first visit is approximately 60-90 minutes. Dr. Jenson starts by numbing the area so you won’t feel pain.

He then shapes the tooth to make room for the crown. How much tooth he removes depends on the type of crown. For a porcelain crown, he removes a little. For a metal crown, he removes even less.

Once the tooth is shaped, he takes digital scans of your mouth. He sends these scans to a dental lab where skilled technicians fabricate your custom crown.

In the meantime, Dr. Jenson places a temporary crown on your tooth. It protects the tooth and looks natural. You can eat normally, but you will want to avoid sticky or hard foods on that side.

Between Visits (About Two to Three Weeks)

Your permanent crown is being made. The lab matches the color, shape, and size to your surrounding teeth. When it comes back, it should look like it belongs in your mouth.

Second Visit: Placement

You come back to our Vancouver office when the crown is ready. Dr. Jenson removes the temporary crown and checks the fit of the new one. He makes sure your bite feels right and that you are not hitting the crown too hard or too soft when you close your teeth together.

This is where his Dawson training matters. An ill-fitting crown can throw off your bite, causing jaw pain, headaches, or even damage to the crown itself. Dr. Jenson takes the time to get it right.

Once everything is perfect, he secures the crown permanently. You walk out with a fully restored tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns: Which Material Is Right for You?

• Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: Best for front teeth. They match the color and translucency of natural enamel. Highly aesthetic and stain-resistant.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): A metal base with a porcelain coating. Strong and durable, but the metal can sometimes show as a dark line at the gumline over time.
• Gold or Metal Alloy Crowns: Extremely durable and require less tooth removal. Best for back molars where appearance isn’t a concern.
• Zirconia Crowns: A newer, metal-free option that combines strength with natural aesthetics. Highly durable and biocompatible.

Dr. Jenson will help you choose the best material for your specific tooth, budget, and aesthetic goals.