Tooth damage is a multifaceted problem. Not only is a cracked or chipped tooth painful, but the physical damage can also affect your confidence.
So when you seek out a treatment for a broken tooth, you don’t just want a treatment that repairs its functionality; you want a treatment that can repair its appearance as well. At Evolve Dentistry & Aesthetics, we offer the dental service you need.
When you visit us for dental crowns in Craven County, Dr. McGowen can examine your teeth and fabricate a matching replacement, so you can enjoy all the benefits of a restored smile.
Read on to learn more about the process and how you can get started.
Dental Crowns at a Glance
In this blog, we discuss the details of dental crowns and how we install them, but here’s some basic information about the process.
- A dental crown is a cap that slides over a damaged tooth to restore its appearance and functionality.
- Dental bridges are two (or more) crowns fused together that can bridge any gaps between teeth.
- You may need a crown if you’ve noticed any cracks or chips in your teeth.
- We customize each crown to fit the patient’s unique smile.
- There isn’t an intense recovery process, but to maintain your crowns, continue to brush and floss like normal. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods with your crown for the first 24-48 hours after it is cemented.
- We offer CareCredit and Sunbit for financial assistance.
Do You Need a Crown?
A dental crown is a versatile service option for repairing the look and functionality of a tooth. We may recommend a dental crown for many reasons.
For instance, if you crack or chip your tooth, Dr. McGowen may install a crown to maintain the tooth’s structural integrity and restore its appearance. If you have a gap in your teeth, then she may install multiple crowns in the form of a dental bridge.
Our team may also install a crown after a root canal to protect the treated tooth. If you don’t know whether dental crowns in Craven County are your best treatment option, don’t worry. Our team will examine your concerns and make a recommendation based on your needs.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a small cap that slides over the outside of the tooth. Dental crowns are permanent fixtures atop the tooth. When we install crowns, our team members will cement them in place, so they won’t slide around or fall off.
While you may experience some sensitivity in the days immediately following your crown installation, these crowns are meant to appear and function like real teeth. So after the crown sets, you may forget that it’s even there.
A crown isn’t a cheap, temporary fix for damaged teeth—it’s a lasting solution to restore oral health and function.
Dental Bridges
For patients looking to fill out larger gaps in their smiles, we may recommend dental bridges. A dental bridge is actually multiple dental crowns fused together.
If you have a missing tooth or teeth, but you don’t want a full implant, a dental bridge offers a less-invasive solution. To install this bridge, we place a dental crown on either side of the gap in your teeth.
The “floating” crown in-between the others closes the gap, filling out your smile. And like a standard dental crown, a dental bridge doesn’t just maintain a healthy appearance—it also functions like a real tooth.
Finding Your Ideal Dental Treatment
If you suspect you could benefit from dental crowns in Craven County, you start your dental treatment process by meeting with our team for a consultation and examination.
Before Dr. McGowen can recommend the ideal treatment for your teeth, we first need to get a better idea of your current dental condition.
After examining your teeth, we can determine whether a dental crown could provide the results you’re looking for. If not, we can recommend an alternative restorative dental service. Once we finalize the ideal method for your needs, we can schedule your treatment.
Designing Your Crown
We custom-design dental crowns in Craven County for each and every patient, because everyone’s teeth are unique.
We want your crown to fit the rest of your smile, so we evaluate the size, shape, and color of your teeth and design your crowns to match.
When designed and installed correctly, a dental crown should be completely unnoticeable.
Installing Your Crowns
Designing the crown takes about a week, and in that time, our team fits you with a temporary crown to protect your damaged tooth. This crown still serves to repair the look and functionality of your tooth, but it won’t feel as seamless as the final product.
Additionally, we advise patients to be extra careful with this temporary crown. After your permanent crown arrives in the office, we call you and get you in for an appointment right away. There, our team will ensure that your custom crown fits like a glove and secure it with cement, so it stays in place for the long term.
Recovering After Your Installation
You shouldn’t need an extensive recovery period following the installation of your dental crowns in Craven County. You may, however, notice some soreness in the days following your treatment.
During the crown installation process, we need to shave some enamel off your tooth to ensure the crown fits snugly. This may cause some sensitivity, but this should abate in about a week.
While you can use your crown like a normal tooth, we recommend chewing gently for the first couple days, or chewing in another part of your mouth. This not only reduces any discomfort you may experience but also helps your crown bond more securely to your tooth.
Crowns Are Built to Last
You may wonder how long you can expect your dental crowns in Craven County to last. While the exact time frame depends on how you prioritize your dental health, we install your crowns to last.
You don’t want to receive a custom crown only to require an immediate replacement. You can expect your dental crowns to last years. With proper maintenance, some even last decades.
If you experience any looseness in your crown, reach out to our team of experts immediately. We can examine your crown, and if you need a replacement, we can design and install it as soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Dental Crowns
Following the installation, our providers will advise you on how best to take care of your dental crowns.
To ensure your crowns last as long as possible, simply take care of them in the same way you would your regular teeth. This means you need to brush and floss regularly. Additionally, make sure you’re not using your teeth as a tool. Biting into packages or using teeth to open a soda bottle can chip your crowns.
You have a higher risk of damaging your crowns if you have bruxism (which is just a fancy term for teeth grinding). Breaking the teeth-grinding habit doesn’t just protect your crowns, but also your teeth as a whole.
Financing Your Dental Crown Installation
If you need assistance paying for your dental crown installation, we offer several options. Most dental insurance providers cover crowns, at least in part. But if your plan doesn’t, or you need help covering the rest, consider our financing options.
We offer CareCredit and Sunbit, which allow patients to set up payment plans, so they can cover their chosen dental service in installments.
At Evolve Dentistry & Aesthetics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile, regardless of their financial situation. So if you need some extra help covering your treatment, talk with our team about your options.
Learn More About Expert Dental Services
Interested in learning more about dental crowns in Craven County? Maybe you’d like more information about dental bridges, or one of our other restorative service options.
Regardless of what you want to learn, you can find the information you need on our educational blog. This free online resource contains write-ups about our clinic, our team, and our available services in an easily digestible format.
These educational blog posts allow you to learn more about your options and the treatment process before you meet with our team, so you can come into your initial examination feeling confident and informed.
We update this blog with new posts each month, so there’s always something new to read—and to learn.
Revitalize Your Smile at Evolve Dentistry & Aesthetics
Dental damage doesn’t need to be permanent. With dental crowns in Craven County, you can restore your smile and protect your teeth from additional damage, so they look and function better than ever.
To get started with your treatment, schedule an initial examination, so Dr. McGowen can determine the best treatment method for your concerns. You can also receive a free recommendation online—just take advantage of our online tool.
Answer some simple questions about your dental needs, and we send you a treatment recommendation based on your responses. Restore your confidence and your smile when you work with our team.
