When you experience dental damage or decay, you need to know who to call who can help you restore your smile quickly and effectively. At Dental Excellence, we provide custom dental crowns in Towson, MD for patients to repair decayed, broken or failing teeth.
A dental crown is a prosthetic cap that sits on top of the foundational core of your natural tooth. Your dentist will have to remove a significant amount of enamel to make space for the prosthetic tooth. However, the dental crown procedure allows patients to maintain the tooth-root functionality from their natural tooth. This will allow them to avoid the need for a tooth extraction.
Dental Crowns in Towson, MD
Dr. Ousborne and Dr. Esterson are both highly trained restorative dentists in Towson, MD. They help our patients restore their smiles after experiencing dental damage or tooth decay. They can also replace existing ‘less realistic’ or failing crowns with restorations that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
Do I need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a versatile dental restoration that your dentist can use to protect and strengthen a weak or damaged tooth. Your dentist may suggest a tooth crown for any of the following situations:
- If a tooth is very weak due to severe tooth decay or has a large filling, a dental crown can be placed over top of the tooth to protect it from further damage.
- A tooth that has significant damage (chipped, cracked, or broken tooth) due to injury or trauma can benefit from a crown. It can help restore the tooth and allow it to function normally again.
- If you are missing a tooth, your dentist can place a dental implant in the bone and then cap it off with a dental crown. This is the best way to replace a single missing tooth.
- Dentists also use crowns for cosmetic purposes. A crown can be used to improve the appearance of discolored tooth or a tooth that is misshapen.
- In most cases after a root canal, the dentist will suggest capping off the tooth with a crown. It will provide the tooth with additional strength and support.
Same-day crowns with CEREC
Dental Excellence is proud of offer same day dental crowns. Our dental practice is equipped with CEREC dental technology which allows us to create beautiful, high-quality zirconia and glass-ceramic crowns in one visit. CEREC, short for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a computer-aided design and manufacturing system. It uses 3D images and milling technology so that you can get a new dental crown in just one office visit.
When possible, we will offer this option for placing a dental crown. CEREC is often the perfect solution for patients who have a broken crown, need to replace old fillings and want a stable result, or have a damaged tooth.
The Dental Crown Process
Your dentist will begin the procedure by preparing the tooth. They will give you a local anesthetic so you should not feel pain. The dentist will remove any decayed or damaged portion of the tooth.
The next step in the dental crown process is to get digital impressions of the tooth that needs a crown. Our office uses a special camera to gain these images instead of messy impressions. We will use the digital impressions to make a 3D model of the tooth on the computer. The dentist will use this to create the new, custom crown. It is then milled right here in our dental office while you wait.
Once the crown is ready, the dentist will try it on for fit. They may make adjustments if necessary. Then they will permanently bond the tooth in place. The entire process is done during a single dental appointment saving you time and the need for a temporary crown.
Dental Crown FAQs
Our doctors are happy to answer any questions you might have about the dental crown procedure during your next appointment. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
Dental crowns provide a very reliable solution to most major dental concerns. They can correct “smile” and functional, chewing, or speaking problems caused by tooth decay or damage. They also prevent cracks from spreading apart and causing pain under biting forces. Crowns offer support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth all while looking completely natural and correcting diastemas/spacing issues. The dentist will often pace the tooth crown after a root canal to strengthen the tooth and support long-term dental health.
How long does the dental crown process last?
Traditional dental crowns generally require at least two office visits. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare your tooth for the dental crown. The dentist will remove a significant amount of enamel to make space for the prosthetic tooth. The dentist will take dental impressions to ensure the restoration will properly meet your needs.
Your dentist will place a temporary crown over your prepared tooth to be worn until your permanent crown returns from our labs. Once your dentist is ready to apply the dental crown, we will call you back in and firmly secure it in your smile with dental cement.
Can I eat normally with a dental crown?
Yes, you can eat normally with a tooth crown. In fact, dentists use tooth crowns to restore teeth that have damage or are missing, allowing the individual to eat and speak normally. However, you should still avoid biting or chewing on hard foods (like ice or hard candy) as it can cause the crown to become loose or even fall out.
How can I take care of my dental crowns?
Proper care can extend the longevity of your dental crowns while keeping the smile healthy. Be sure to brush, floss, and visit the dentist as directed to ensure your crowns last as long as possible before needing replacement.
Can I receive a dental crown in one day?
If your dentist has a CEREC system, they can complete dental crowns and other porcelain restorations in a single appointment. Otherwise, your dentist will send your restorations to an outside laboratory and may require two visits instead of just one.
Schedule An Appointment
Are you in need of a dental crown? Schedule an appointment with the experienced dental care professionals in Towson at Dental Excellence. We hope to see you soon.