Dental Crowns in Winston Salem, NC

Dental Crowns in Winston Salem, NC

Dental Crowns

Is your smile making you unhappy? If you have a severely worn, cracked, or decayed tooth, a dental crown may be the best way to restore your smile. A crown can be made to match the rest of the teeth, making for a natural look that makes for a more pleasant-looking smile.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are often called caps and are meant to cover a damaged tooth. A protected tooth means a healthier smile! Tooth crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, or porcelain fused to metal. The tooth’s location, how much of the natural tooth is remaining, and how much of the crown will be visible when you smile will determine what type of material is used. If the tooth is visible when you open your mouth or smile, tooth-colored porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain fused to a metal crown is more suitable. 

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What Kinds of Dental Conditions are Treated With Crowns?

A dental crown restores a damaged or missing tooth to its normal shape, size and function. A crown can protect the tooth or improve the way it looks. Tooth caps are typically utilized when:

  • Your tooth is severely cracked
  • There is not enough of the tooth left to support a large filling
  • To protect a fragile tooth that has undergone a root canal
  • The tooth is severely discolored, chipped, decayed, or otherwise misshapen
  • Cover damaged teeth
  • To anchor and attach a dental bridge
  • To cover and complete a dental implant
  • To strengthen a tooth that is fractured or weakened
  • To correct defective filling repair

How Long Does a Dental Crown Appointment Take?

The procedure for getting a dental crown usually involves two visits. Your first visit takes 50 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the tooth, cleaning out the decay, or performing a root canal. Next, the tooth is trimmed down slightly with the help of a hand-held dental drill so that the crown can be seated and cemented on top.

Once the ideal height and size have been achieved, an impression of the prepared tooth is taken. Our dentist, Dr. Jeffrey C. Zackeru, then selects a shade that matches the color of your natural teeth and sends the shade number and the impression to the dental laboratory for the crown to be fabricated. It usually takes two weeks to send the crown back to the clinic, but in the meanwhile, we’ll provide a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. 

Once your crown arrives, a second appointment will be scheduled to remove the temporary crown and place the permanent crown. The new crown will be fitted to check for size, shape, or margin issues. Once we get the right fit, we’ll cement the crown and polish it to give it a natural look. This step is usually completed in about 20 to 30 minutes.

How Long Do Tooth Caps Last?

The average lifespan of a crown is about 10 years, but it can last much longer with proper care. The lifespan of a crown can vary depending on the type of material used, your dental hygiene habits, and other lifestyle factors. Here’s what you can do to extend the lifespan of your crowns:

  • Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day 
  • Floss at least once a day
  • Visit the dentist every six months for cleaning and dental exams
  • Avoid using your teeth to uncork bottles or tear threads, or chew on ice and pencils
  •  Don’t grind your teeth as it can wear down on a crown’s surface

Does Dental Crown Treatment Hurt?

A dental crown restorative treatment is usually painless with a bit of tenderness/discomfort for 24-48 hours after treatment. This is normal and should be expected. The discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication.

Dental Crown Cost

On average, a crown can cost between $800-$1700. However, many insurance policies generally cover crown procedures to a certain extent, so be sure to consult your dental insurance company before undergoing the procedure.

Schedule Your Dental Crown Appointment at Zackeru Family Dentistry

Dental crowns help cover and restore a damaged tooth’s shape, strength and appearance. At Zackeru Family Dentistry, we provide dental crowns to patients in Winston Salem, NC. If you are ready to improve your smile, contact us today to schedule your dental crowns appointment!