Over time, decay, cracks, and fractures can cause a tooth to weaken or discolor. A crown is the most effective solution whenever a tooth is badly damaged, cracked, broken, or misshapen. We provide custom dental crown treatment at Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Raleigh, NC.
A crown is a restorative dentistry treatment that helps strengthen and add structure to damaged teeth. With the newest technology, Dr. Elderkin and Dr. Giggey give patients customized and natural-looking teeth.
What Can Dental Crowns Treat?
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile tools a dentist has. They can treat almost any restorative dental problem, as well as many cosmetic ones.
Cosmetic Dental Fixes
When you have discolored teeth, professional teeth whitening is usually the solution. However, not all discoloration responds to traditional methods. Teeth discolored due to medication or trauma may need another solution. A dental crown can match the shade of white that you desire, or that blends in with the rest of your smile. It completely covers the discolored tooth, hiding it from view.
Misshapen and deformed teeth are often cosmetic concerns for patients. They can have a functional impact, too. Each tooth has a specific job. Our tongue interacts with our teeth to form sounds for speech, and each tooth has a different role in breaking down food. A dental crown restores the shape of the tooth, so it can perform these jobs properly and look good in your smile.
Stabilizing a Tooth
One of the most common uses for a dental crown is to stabilize a tooth after a root canal. During a root canal, the dentist removes infected pulp from the interior of the tooth, refilling it with a biocompatible material and sealing it off. This doesn’t always restore full functionality to the tooth. A dental crown ensures you get back full function and protects the tooth from further infection.
A traditional dental bridge uses the teeth on either side of the restoration’s span to support it. These anchor teeth are under a lot of pressure. They wear down faster and are more prone to tooth decay and other dental problems. Using dental crowns on these teeth can protect the tooth structure. Instead of the tooth taking on the pressure of supporting the bridge, the dental crown takes the brunt of it.
Treating Severely Decayed or Damaged Teeth
When teeth decay severely, large chunks of them can go missing. It eats away at your tooth structure. A dental crown can replace the portions that have eroded, as well as protect the tooth from further infection. It also eliminates sensitivity when you’re eating and drinking.
A large portion of your tooth breaking off can lead to multiple issues. It can expose the dental nerves in your teeth, causing pain whenever you try to eat or drink. There can also be sharp edges where the tooth broke off, putting the soft tissues in your mouth at risk. A crown protects the dental nerves, preventing them from coming into contact with food and drinks. It restores a natural tooth shape, with no sharp edges to cut your tongue or the insides of your cheeks.
Types of Dental Crown Materials
Many types of crowns are available at the dentist, including:
- Metal: Traditionally, crowns were made of metal. Metal alloy crowns provide strength to a treated tooth but don’t blend in with the shade of other natural teeth. These crowns can use gold, silver, tin, and other metals.
- Porcelain Fused to Metal: PFM crowns consist of a thin layer of porcelain that covers metal. While these crowns are strong, the metal beneath the porcelain can show through at the gum line.
- Porcelain: These crowns help mimic the natural appearance of teeth with tooth-colored materials. Porcelain is also highly durable and useful if you need to cover molars with crowns. Traditional crowns use porcelain.
- Ceramic: CEREC same-day crowns use ceramic materials, which are tooth-colored like porcelain crowns. The difference is that ceramic crowns aren’t as strong, so dentists prefer them for the front teeth.
- Zirconia: Zirconia crowns use a hard ceramic material. However, this hard material can potentially damage teeth. Zirconia crowns are also more expensive than other options.
Our office prefers porcelain crowns because they look natural and strengthen teeth. We work with local dental labs to craft customized crowns that match the aesthetic of your smile.
Patient Review
Dental Crown Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Before you get a crown, we will take digital X-rays. If you have any oral health problems, we will treat them first to ensure you’re in good oral health.
Tooth Preparation
Fitting a dental crown requires at least two visits to our office. First, we will remove decay, fractures, or underlying tooth problems. Next, we will shape the tooth and make dental impressions. We will fit you with a temporary crown while the lab fabricates the final crown.
Final Crown
On the next visit, we will remove your temporary crown. Then, we fit and adjust the final crown to ensure proper function, comfort, and appearance. If you receive a single dental implant and require a crown, we will wait until your implant has healed to add the crown.
How To Care For Crowns
After your crown treatment, we recommend eating soft foods like pasta, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. Eating hard or crunchy foods directly after receiving a crown can dislodge or damage your crown. These foods can also increase tooth pain and sensitivity.
You can clean your crowns like natural teeth. Ensure you floss between your crowns and natural teeth to remove food debris and prevent bacterial buildup. Then, brush with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
Remember to continue scheduling routine visits so we can examine and clean your crowns. A good oral hygiene routine and regular dental care ensure your tooth crowns last.
Dental Crown FAQs
By now, you know crowns can help repair a tooth, add structure to weakened teeth, and change tooth color. But do you want to know more about dental crowns? Read answers to popular questions about crowns and related treatments:
What are inlays and onlays?
Also known as partial crowns, inlays and onlays cover and protect a different part of the tooth than crowns. Inlays cover the tooth’s chewing surface between the tooth cusps. Onlays cover the chewing surfaces and cusps, meaning they cover the very top of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are typically made of porcelain or composite materials to blend in with teeth. In addition, like crowns, inlays and onlays are separate pieces that a dentist can adhere to the tooth.
Do dental crowns hurt?
Dental crown treatment isn’t painful. Our dental office uses local anesthesia to numb the treated area. We also offer sedation dentistry for patients anxious about the treatment.
Our goal is to ensure patients feel comfortable during treatment. After you receive your crown, getting accustomed to your new restoration may take time. However, you shouldn’t feel excessive pain or discomfort.
How long do dental crowns last?
If you take care of your crowns, they can last 15 to 20 or more years. Gently brushing the crowns and flossing between crowns and natural teeth ensures your restorations will last.
Although rare, dental crowns can become loose or damaged. An injury can damage your crown. Harmful bacteria can also enter beneath loose crowns and affect natural teeth if you don’t properly care for your oral health. Contact our office if you notice a change in your crown, and we can plan a replacement.
Contact Our Dental Office Today
Receive a custom-made dental crown at Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Raleigh, NC. Call us at 919-295-0936. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Elderkin or Dr. Giggey on our website.
Please let us know at your next dental visit if you have any questions or current dental concerns. We’re here to help. We serve patients from Brennan Station, Traemoor Village, and Heritage Point.