Dental Crowns An Overview
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. Cook 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
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. Cook 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. Cook 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. Cook 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. Cook 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.
