Dental Crowns in Harrisburg, NC
When dealing with a damaged tooth, you need a quick and effective solution that relieves your discomfort and allows you to continue your daily routines. Dental crowns can improve the function of your natural teeth while providing a protective shield that prevents further damage.
A dental crown is a protective cap that covers a damaged tooth to preserve and strengthen it. If your tooth is decayed, fractured, weak, or worn down, a crown can restore its function and prolong its life.
Crowns are the most common restorative dentistry procedure and are used in various situations. In addition to covering a single damaged tooth, crowns can be used to support a dental bridge, as a protective final step after root canal therapy, or to top a mini dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
Turn to Dr. David P. Ney, DDS, to protect your teeth and alleviate pain with a custom-made dental crown.
Why You Might Need a Dental Crown
Dental crowns provide an effective and long-lasting solution to many tooth problems. You may benefit from a crown if:
- Your tooth is damaged above the gum line, but your root is healthy.
- Your tooth is fractured or at risk of fracturing.
- Your tooth is weak or worn down and needs extra support.
- You’ve lost a tooth and replaced it with a mini dental implant.
- You need a dental bridge to replace one or more missing teeth.
- Your tooth is weakened by a large filling.
- You have a tooth that is stained or discolored tooth that you’d like to conceal.
How Dental Crowns Differ from Other Restorations
Dental crowns are more protective than other options and are used when there is significant damage to the tooth. Crowns perform different functions than other restorations, such as porcelain veneers, inlays, and onlays.
Porcelain veneers differ from dental crowns in their purpose and structure. While a crown is primarily used to restore function to a damaged tooth, a veneer improves the look of a tooth. If you want to enhance the aesthetics of your smile by concealing a stain, covering a small chip, or closing minor gaps, a veneer can help. Veneers are thinner than crowns and are only bonded to the front of the tooth rather than covering the entire tooth. While veneers are cosmetic in nature, crowns provide both protection and cosmetic appeal, but they do require more shaping of the tooth’s enamel.
An inlay, which is an alternative to a traditional dental filling, treats mild or moderate decay or fracturing in the center of your tooth. Unlike a traditional filling, the tooth-colored porcelain inlay is created in a dental lab to fit you perfectly. The inlay is then bonded to the tooth, creating a strong and stain-resistant seal. An onlay is very similar but is used when the damage extends beyond the center of the tooth onto one or more of the tooth’s cusps (the elevated parts of your tooth). Both inlays and onlays are remedies for smaller areas of damage.
The Process and Procedure
If you think dental crowns might be right for you, contact us to schedule a free consultation. Dr. Ney will examine the inside of your mouth to determine your exact needs and if dental crowns, or other restorations, would contribute to your oral health. If you are a good candidate for a dental crown, Dr. Ney will discuss the material that would suit you best. Crowns come in various materials, including resin, metal, porcelain, and ceramic options. The materials used depend on the extent of the damage, the location of the tooth, your budget, and your preferences.
After your consultation, you can schedule your first appointment. At this initial appointment, Dr. Ney will prepare your tooth. Depending on the state of your tooth, Dr. Ney may remove enamel or build up the tooth with a filling material. He’ll make impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab where your custom crown is constructed. It can take a couple of weeks for a lab to manufacture your crown; as you wait, Dr. Ney will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
Once your custom crown is created, Dr. Ney will remove the temporary crown and place your new restoration. Your crown is bonded to your tooth with durable dental cement.
As you heal from your procedure, you may notice minor tenderness or sensitivity for the first few days, which is normal. To relieve discomfort, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Mini Dental Implants Support Crowns
If your tooth is too damaged and needs to be extracted, or if you have already lost a tooth, a mini dental implant can hold a crown and restore your smile. Dr. Ney specializes in placing mini implants to replace patients’ missing teeth permanently. The implant is a small metal post with a ball on one end that Dr. Ney will screw into your jawbone during a minimally invasive procedure. Your prosthetic tooth attaches to the ball end of the post using a rubber O-ring. Implant-supported crowns are a highly effective solution for lost teeth. In fact, about 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made annually.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a safe and effective solution to damaged teeth that need support and protection. Additional benefits include:
- Quick recovery: Because the procedure for placing dental crowns is minimally invasive, you can expect a quick recovery. Many patients return to work or school and resume their daily activities immediately.
- Long-lasting: With proper care, your crown can last for decades.
- Perfect fit: Your crown is custom-made to fit you perfectly, so you won’t have to deal with a loose-fitting appliance. Though the crown may feel unfamiliar at first, it will be unnoticeable as you adjust to it.
- Natural appearance: A crown restores your tooth to its natural appearance while improving its function. Many materials are tooth-colored, making the crown undetectable when you smile.
Implant-supported crowns come with their own advantages. Because the implant fuses with your jawbone over time, it provides an exceptionally durable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. The procedure to place a mini implant is also minimally invasive and efficient, unlike traditional implants. They aren’t just smaller or more affordable either, although these are important considerations. Mini implants allow for a much shorter recovery, so you can restore your smile and regain your bite quickly.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
The cost of a dental crown depends on the preparation your tooth needs and the material used to create your crown. Dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost, but we recommend you check with your provider to see if crowns are covered under your policy. If you want to finance your dental crown, we work with three dental financing companies—CareCredit, LendingClub, and Ally—to help your dental care fit your budget. These lenders offer plans with 0% introductory rates and affordable monthly payment options.
Caring for Dental Crowns
The average lifespan of a dental crown is 5-15 years, but with proper care, your dental crowns can last for 30 years and beyond. Because the crown mimics the strength and appearance of your natural teeth, caring for it is fairly simple. After Dr. Ney places your crown, follow your daily oral hygiene routine by brushing twice and flossing once. You should also try to avoid eating foods that could damage your crown, such as hard or chewy foods. Some habits, like nail biting or teeth grinding, can harm your restoration. If you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to protect your crown.
Scheduling regular checkups with Dr. Ney to monitor wear and following oral health recommendations at home can extend the life of your crown.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
A worn, fractured, or missing tooth can cause pain, alter your daily habits, and lower your self-esteem. When left untreated, a damaged or missing tooth can lead to more complex oral health problems. Dental crowns effectively restore the function and appearance of your teeth, allowing you to regain your smile. If you think dental crowns may be right for you, contact us today for a complimentary consultation with Dr. David P. Ney, DDS, your trusted dentist in Harrisburg, NC.