Crowns Specialist
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Cary Smiles
Rahee Shah, DMD
Family & Cosmetic Dentist & Certified Invisalign Provider located in Parkway Professional Park, Cary, NC
If you bite down on a hard object and fracture a tooth or you develop a deep cavity, a dental crown can prevent further damage and restore your tooth to its near-original condition. At Cary Smiles, family and cosmetic dentist Jeffrey LaMura, DDS, and his team regularly use dental crowns to repair damaged, weak, and decaying teeth. To make an appointment at the practice in Cary, North Carolina, call the office or book online today.
Crowns Q&A
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a synthetic cap bonded to the top of a damaged or decaying tooth. Crowns protect, cover, and restore teeth when less invasive measures, such as fillings, won’t provide adequate protection.
Crowns envelop the entire portion of your enamel that sits above the gumline. Once bonded in place, they restore your tooth to its near-original shape, size, and appearance.
When are dental crowns needed?
At Cary Smiles, the team uses dental crowns to:
- Hold dental bridges in place
- Cover up dental implants
- Protect weak or decaying teeth
- Cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
- Support a tooth with a large filling
You might also benefit from a crown following a root canal. Root canal therapy is a type of endodontic treatment that preserves your natural tooth, preventing the need for an extraction.
What does getting dental crowns involve?
Traditionally, getting a dental crown has taken at least two appointments about a week apart. However, the team at Cary Smiles has a same-day CEREC® milling machine on-site that allows for the design and manufacture of crowns in a single visit.
Before recommending a crown, your Cary Smiles provider conducts an oral exam and takes digital X-rays. Your provider uses your X-rays to assess the extent of the damage or decay affecting your tooth.
If they determine you qualify for a crown, your provider administers a local anesthetic and takes a digital scan of your tooth. Then, they upload your scans to a computer program and design a custom crown. After finalizing a design, your provider transfers it to the CEREC milling machine.
The machine mills a custom dental crown from a block of ceramic. While you wait for the CEREC machine to finish, you can read a book, take a nap, or sit back and relax. After the machine completes your crown, your provider lines it up with your tooth, bonds it in place, and provides care instructions.
How long do crowns last?
Crowns last an average of 10-12 years, but it’s possible to extend their lifespan with good oral hygiene. The team at Cary Smiles recommends you brush and floss twice daily and visit the office every six months for professional teeth cleaning and an oral exam.
To protect your crown from chips or other types of damage, avoid bad habits like biting your nails, chewing on hard objects like ice cubes, or opening packaging with your teeth.
To see if you’re a candidate for dental crowns, make an appointment at Cary Smiles by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.