At Belvedere Family Dentistry, it is our goal to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. If you are suffering from a damaged or decaying tooth, we typically look to tooth extraction as a last result. We offer a variety of alternative dental services to get your oral health back on track and have you feeling your best without removing your tooth, one of those services being the placement of a dental crown.

Dental crowns are a great alternative to pulling teeth because they allow us to keep your roots and your natural tooth, providing better functionality and longevity for your original smile. The crown itself is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is securely placed on top of your damaged tooth to provide complete coverage and protection. Not only will a crown help you regain your natural, beautiful smile, but it will also ensure that your tooth is strong enough to protect against any future injury or infection.

So, how do you know if you are a good dental crown candidate? After a thorough examination, our dental experts will determine whether a crown is a good fit with your individual oral health history and your smile aesthetic goals.

Typically, we will move forward with dental crown placement in the following situations:

• If you have a tooth that is cracked, decayed or is suffering from any other wear and tear that has made it weak.
• If you have a discolored or misshaped tooth, we can use dental crowns for cosmetic purposes to improve your overall smile.
• If you have a cavity that is too large for a filling to fix.
• If you have had a root canal treatment, we can use a dental crown to cover and protect that restoration.
• If you are missing a tooth and need to replace it with a dental bridge.
• If you need to cover a dental implant.

Are you in need of repair or enhancements for your smile? Wondering if you are a good dental crown candidate? Request your dental crown appointment today by calling our front desk at 704-927-5499 or by submitting a request for your desired appointment time and date through our easy online scheduler!

Once our team of dental experts has determined that you are a good candidate for a dental crown, we will need to schedule an appointment to prepare your tooth for your new crown, as well as an appointment for the crown to actually be placed. At Belvedere Family Dentistry, we understand that dental services like this can feel intimidating, especially when you don’t know what to expect. We are here to help explain all that goes on during your dental crown procedure so you feel more at ease in our care!

In order to place a dental crown, the tooth first must be thoroughly examined and x-rayed to ensure that there is no need for a root canal. If tooth decay, any injury to the tooth’s pulp, or a risk of infection seems to be present, these issues will need to be cleared through root canal therapy prior to crown placement.

After the tooth has been cleared of potential damage or health concerns, it will be filed across the top and sides to make room for the crown itself. In instances where a crown is needed due to damage or decay, we are also able to fill in that missing structure for the crown to cover the area properly. When the tooth has been correctly shaped through filing or adding a filling, we take an impression of that shape and use it to create your permanent crown. This ensures that your bite is not negatively impacted and that the shape of your smile is natural and congruent. While you are waiting for the permanent dental crown, we place a temporary crown to cover and protect the freshly prepared tooth.

About two weeks later, you will come in for your second appointment when the permanent crown is ready. First, our team will remove the temporary materials. Next, we triple-check that the shape and color match with your natural teeth. When everything looks good to go, the area will be numbed to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible, and the dental crown is permanently cemented in place.

If you have any further questions about your dental crown procedure, feel free to call us at 704-927-5499. Ready to move forward with crown placement? Schedule an appointment today with our easy online scheduler. We look forward to helping improve for your oral health!

Whether you just completed your dental crown procedure, or are wondering what to expect before committing to the procedure, it’s important to have a complete understanding of what’s needed from you for proper dental crown aftercare. Crowns are meant to look and function like your natural teeth, so they also require the same oral hygiene routine and regular dentist appointments. If you have chosen to move forward with a dental crown that matches your smile, that material can still stain and chip the same way all of your other teeth do.

If you neglect your crown, it may not be as high-functioning or long lasting as it is meant to be. The average crown tends to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, but you can extend the longevity of your new dental crown with proper care and attention. Below we have put together our top 5 tips to help you extend the lifespan of your crown through good dental crown aftercare:

• We shouldn’t have to put this one on the list, but the number one thing to maintain good oral health is brushing your teeth twice daily!
• You may experience more sensitivity to hot and/or cold sensations with your new dental crown than you did with your natural tooth. After your procedure could be a good time to switch to using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Continue to floss regularly! This will help to ensure that nothing gets stuck or builds up between your crown and your natural teeth.
• Try to avoid chewing hard foods like ice and candy. Biting down on a hard item could cause your crown to crack, especially if it is porcelain.
• If you have a history of grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep, you should ask your dentist or hygienist for a night guard to protect your crown and its surrounding teeth.

If you experience any pain or discomfort after your dental crown procedure, please call our front desk immediately at 704-927-5499. Our team at Belvedere Family Dentistry is always here to help and to ensure your oral health remains in tip-top shape.