Dental crowns can serve many purposes, from restoring tooth damage to changing the appearance of your smile or supporting a dental bridge. A dental crown is also the key component of a dental implant, placed on the embedded post to serve as a new tooth. Dr. Lee places dental crowns to meet the oral health needs of our patients at Tarheel Family Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC. Our office provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages in a warm, welcoming environment.
Common reasons for placing a dental crown include:
- Chipped, cracked, or damaged tooth
- Tooth decay
- Discolored tooth
- Misshapen tooth
- After a root canal
- As part of a dental implant
- To support a dental bridge
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns provide many advantages for patients looking to restore the health, function, and appearance of their smile. At Reliance Family Dental, Dr. Lee uses custom dental crowns to protect and strengthen damaged teeth. He customizes crowns for natural-looking results.
Dental crowns:
- Strengthen damaged teeth
- Make chewing and speaking more comfortable
- Look natural
- Use durable materials like porcelain, ceramic, or gold that last
- Can support bridges or complete dental implants
Dental crowns offer a reliable, long-term solution for many patients. They act like caps to restore an even and comfortable bite.
Dental Crowns: What to Expect
The dental crown procedure typically requires a couple of visits to our Chapel Hill dental office. Once a dental crown has been identified as the solution for your needs, Dr. Lee will schedule a visit to prepare the tooth and take dental impressions. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth and provide normal function and aesthetics while your custom restoration is fabricated in a dental lab.
Most patients are kept comfortable throughout the process with a local anesthetic, however, we offer oral sedation for anxious patients who prefer to be completely relaxed for the duration of their treatment. Dr. Lee will discuss your concerns and needs prior to your appointment so that we can assure your comfort on the day you visit.
Dental crowns are color matched and can be made from ceramic or porcelain material for the most natural looking result. For larger back teeth where chewing forces are the strongest, a gold crown may be placed to provide a lasting, durable result.
Once your crown is complete, typically in a week or two, we will schedule a return visit to place the final restoration. Dr. Lee will remove the temporary crown, carefully clean the tooth and place the new dental crown on the tooth. He will work with you to ensure a proper fit and comfortable bite before permanently securing the crown.
Dental crowns can last for many years with good oral hygiene habits and regular dental care. When you visit twice a year for an oral health check-up, Dr. Lee and our team will look for any signs of damage to your new crown or any other dental restorations you may have. Addressing issues early often means a conservative repair and can prevent a sudden dental emergency.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Do you have more questions for us? We can help. Read these answers to popular questions about dental crowns in Chapel Hill, NC.
What’s the difference between a dental crown and a cap?
“Dental crown” and “cap” mean the same thing. Both terms describe a custom-made covering that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth. Crowns, or caps, restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns also help you chew, speak, and smile confidently.
What foods can I eat with a dental crown?
Once your dental crown is in place, you can eat most foods just like normal. Soft foods are best for the first day or two while you’re getting used to the crown. After that, you can enjoy fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains without trouble. You still want to be careful with very hard or sticky foods, like ice or caramel. These foods can damage or loosen a crown over time.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns can last 10 to 15 years or even longer with good care. Your crown will last longer when you floss and brush your teeth and visit us for routine care.
The right care will keep your crown and the tooth underneath healthy. We also recommend that you avoid chewing on hard items like ice or pens, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Can crowns fix a bad bite?
Dental crowns can help improve certain bite problems, but they are not a full solution for every case. A crown can reshape a tooth that is worn down, cracked, or uneven, which may help your teeth fit together more comfortably when you bite. This can reduce pressure on certain teeth and improve how your bite feels.
But we’ll recommend Invisalign or braces if you have more serious bite issues. Our dentist will evaluate your bite and recommend the best option for long-term comfort and oral health.
What do I do if my crown feels loose?
If your crown feels loose, try not to chew on that side of your mouth and contact our dentist as soon as possible. A loose crown can allow bacteria to get underneath and cause decay or irritation. Don’t try to glue it back in place on your own.
Dr. Lee can check the crown, clean the area, and safely reattach or replace it to protect your tooth.
Does Dr. Lee fix broken crowns?
Yes. We can fix or replace a broken dental crown to restore your dental health. If your crown breaks, contact our office as soon as possible for advice on how to proceed. In some cases, a broken crown can be temporarily reattached with an over-the-counter dental cement product.
Schedule a Consultation
Fix damaged, worn, and fractured teeth with tooth crowns. Call us for dental crown treatment in Chapel Hill, NC today. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Lee online.
