Our dentist may recommend a dental crown if you have a tooth that is cracked, damaged, or severely decayed and we can’t repair it with a simple composite filling. Dental crowns are made of high-strength ceramic and porcelain materials and designed to align with your natural bite. They’re a multi-functional dental restoration. We can improve the natural function and appearance of your smile for long-term results with a dental crown in our Annapolis, MD, dental office.
For more than 20 years, Annapolis dentist Dr. Vernon Sheen has been using dental crowns to strengthen and recreate the natural beauty of patients’ smiles. Dr. Sheen is one of the few dentists in Annapolis to also offer same-day dental crowns, thanks to advanced CEREC technology.
How Can Dental Crowns Benefit Me?
A dental crown is a restorative dental prosthetic that will encase and cover a damaged or weakened natural tooth. Resembling a real tooth in shape, size, and color, it will serve as both functional and cosmetic purposes.
We can create a dental crown from a variety of materials such as porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these. However, we typically use a professional-grade ceramic that reflects light like natural teeth. Dr. Sheen can color-match a ceramic crown to match the color of your natural teeth, helping your new tooth blend in seamlessly. Benefits of dental crowns include:
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Tooth-Colored
- Stain Resistant
- Plaque Resistant
- Supports Oral Health
A tooth crown can improve a tooth’s appearance, align the bite, and enhance chewing and speaking functions. Dr. Sheen will recommend it for dental problems like severe cavities, fractured teeth, and root canal-treated teeth. With proper care and maintenance, dental crowns can last many years, contributing to improved oral health and a pleasing smile.
We Offer Same Day Dental Crowns in Annapolis, MD
Dr. Sheen offers the option of same-day dental crowns for select patients. This modern dental technology uses superior materials and technology to produce a well-fitted dental restoration. We offer CEREC same-day dental crowns in Annapolis, MD. With the CEREC computer software technology and CAD/CAM technology, Dr. Sheen can design, fabricate and place a dental crown in a single visit. The benefits of a CEREC same-day dental crown include:
- Having your treatment completed in one visit instead of 2 or 3
- You will not have to wear a temporary dental crown
- No need to wait for a dental crown from a dental lab
- We can produce a highly accurate and custom-fit restoration
- Reduced discomfort
You’ll be a good candidate for a same-day crown if your tooth is healthy enough to support a crown and doesn’t have extensive decay or severe damage. Same-day crowns work best for patients who need a single tooth restoration or want to replace an old crown quickly. You should also have healthy gums and enough natural tooth structure to hold the crown securely in place.
The Dental Crown Process in Annapolis, MD
We equip our dental office to allow for single-visit restorations. While dental crown procedures can take two or three office visits in most dental offices, we can complete yours in just one to two. This expedited dental crown process works like this:
Examination and Preparation
Dr. Sheen will begin by examining your tooth to determine if a dental crown is necessary. If so, then we’ll discuss the treatment plan and how the dental crown procedure works. Once the treatment plan is finalized, Dr. Sheen will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of the natural tooth structure. He’ll remove all decayed and damaged portions of the tooth and create room for the crown to fit over the tooth.
Digital Impressions and Crown Design
With the use of CEREC same-day dental crowns, we’ll take digital impressions of your teeth instead of using traditional dental molds. These produce detailed 3D pictures of your teeth to fabricate your custom dental crown.
Our dentist will use the special software to create a custom dental crown from the highly accurate pictures. This software allows precise shaping and sizing of the crown for a perfect fit.
Milling the Crown
The next step is to send your crown design to our in-office milling machine. This special machine carefully carves your crown out of a solid block of ceramic, usually in just a few minutes. Because the crown is made right here in the office using precise digital measurements, it fits your tooth perfectly. This process is very accurate and removes the need for a temporary crown
Final Placement
When your highly precise and custom dental crown is ready, we’ll bond it to the prepared tooth using dental cement. Your dentist will ensure that it fits precisely and that your bite alignment is good. Dr. Sheen will make any necessary adjustments so your bite is properly aligned.
How Can Dental Crowns Support Your Best Smile?
Dental crowns are made of a stain-resistant, durable material that can last upwards of twenty-five years. Dentists use dental crowns to support the structure of your natural tooth or to replace a missing tooth. We will permanently secure a dental crown over a root canal or a dental implant for life-like tooth restoration. Dr. Sheen will also use a crown to treat:
- Cracked Teeth
- Misshapen Teeth
- Severe Tooth Decay
- Missing Teeth
- Weak Teeth
- Damaged Teeth
Properly fitted and maintained dental crowns last upwards of 25 years. Crowns are a great treatment option for patients who want both a functionally strong and natural-looking smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about dental crowns, read through our frequently asked questions section. These are answers to common questions we often get asked. If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to contact us during regular business hours.
How fast can I get a dental crown?
Dr. Sheen can fabricate your custom dental crown in several hours. We offer same-day crowns using CEREC technology and can place them in a single visit. Traditional dental crowns can be fabricated and placed in about two weeks.
Do I always need a dental crown after a root canal?
No, but we may recommend a crown in many cases. After a root canal, the tooth can become weaker and more likely to crack or break over time. A crown adds an extra layer of protection to keep the tooth strong and stable. It can also cover and seal the tooth and reduce the risk of future decay or damage. In addition, a crown can help prevent tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold foods and drinks.
Can you repair a broken dental crown?
Yes, we can smooth or patch out small chips or cracks in a broken dental crown. If you have extensive damage, we recommend replacing the crown completely. A new crown ensures the tooth is fully protected, keeps the structure strong, and reduces the risk of cavities or infection developing underneath.
Can an old dental crown be whitened?
No. Traditional teeth whitening can not effectively whiten a dental crown of any kind. You are actually better off replacing the crown instead of spending the money to try and whiten it. Replacing a dental crown is more effective and provides many benefits, as mentioned above.
What should I do if my dental crown falls off?
The first thing you should do is locate the crown if it is lost. Then call our dental office as soon as possible. You need to get a dental appointment scheduled to fix the crown. Find the dental crown, clean it off, and examine it for damage. Avoid using the tooth until we can see you.
Can you place a dental crown on a tooth with a large cavity?
Yes, our dentist may choose to place a dental crown on a tooth with a large cavity. We often use crowns for teeth with extensive decay or cavities that are too large to be repaired with a traditional dental filling. A dental crown will restore your tooth and protect it from more damage.
Can I chew gum or eat sticky food with a dental crown?
You want to avoid chewing gum or eating very sticky foods right after your crown placement. Dental crowns are strong and can withstand normal chewing forces, but they can still be damaged easily. You can gradually introduce harder foods into your diet once you get used to your new crowns.
Can I get a ceramic crown if I have a gold crown?
Yes, if you have a metal crown, we can replace it with a tooth-colored crown. Many patients choose to switch to ceramic crowns for cosmetic reasons because they blend in seamlessly with their surrounding teeth. During the replacement process, we will remove the old crown, check the tooth underneath for any signs of damage or decay, and then place your new custom ceramic crown. A new crown can provide the strength your tooth needs.
Visit Our Annapolis Dental Office
Dental crowns can help restore your damaged tooth and oral health so you can enjoy your smile. For more information on dental crowns and other dental services we offer, or to schedule an appointment, call the Annapolis dental office of Dr. Sheen today at (443) 482-5202. You can also request an appointment online.