Our dentist may recommend a dental crown if you have a tooth that is cracked, damaged, or severely decayed and a simple composite filling cannot repair it. 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.
Dental Crowns in Annapolis, MD
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. This material reflects light like natural teeth. Dr. Sheen can color-match a ceramic crown to your natural teeth, helping your new tooth blend in seamlessly.
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.
Benefits of dental crowns include:
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Tooth-Colored
- Stain Resistant
- Plaque Resistant
- Supports Oral Health
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. They’re a great treatment option for patients who want both a functionally strong and natural-looking smile.
We Offer Same Day Dental Crowns in Annapolis, MD
Dr. Sheen offers 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
The best candidates for same-day crowns in our Annapolis, MD office are in good oral health. Your gums need to be healthy, your teeth are free of severe decay, and there are no untreated infections. Good oral health helps ensure that the crown will fit properly, function well, and last for many years.
The Dental Crown Process
We equip our office with technology 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. This expedited dental crown process takes several steps.
Exam
Dr. Sheen will begin by examining your tooth to determine if a dental crown is necessary. He may take digital X-rays as needed to view your teeth, gums, and jaw. Dr. Sheen will also ensure you’re in good oral health. He can recommend gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or more treatments t
When you’re ready for treatment, Dr. Sheen will create your treatment plan and discuss how the dental crown procedure works.
Tooth Preparation
Once the treatment plan is finalized, Dr. Sheen will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of the natural tooth structure. This will remove all decayed and damaged portions of the tooth and create room for the crown to fit over the tooth.
Digital Impressions
With the use of CEREC same day dental crowns, we will 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.
Designing the Dental Crown
Your 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 next step is to send the design to a milling machine located in our dental office. The machine carves the crown out of a solid block of ceramic, often in just minutes. This ensures high accuracy and eliminates the need for a temporary crown.
Final Placement
When your highly precise and custom dental crown is ready, we will bond it to the prepared tooth using dental cement. Your dentist will ensure that it fits precisely and that your bite alignment is good. Then he will make final adjustments to ensure your comfort and bite alignment.
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 further questions or concerns, feel free to contact us during regular business hours.
How fast can I get a dental crown?
We can fabricate your custom dental crown in as little as two 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?
Yes, all root canal procedures should include the placement of a dental crown. Without reinforcement, your tooth’s structure becomes very susceptible to further decay, fractures, hot and cold sensitivity, and tooth damage. It is important to cap your tooth after root canal treatment for maximum protection.
Can you repair a broken dental crown?
In some cases, yes. Although we highly recommend replacing the crown completely. This will ensure that your crown’s structure is not compromised and that no cavities or infections occur under the damaged crown.
Can an old dental crown be whitened?
No. Traditional teeth whitening can not effectively whiten a dental crown of any kind. Replacing a dental crown is more effective and provides many benefits.
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 and clean it off. Examine it for damage. If you can, go buy some temporary dental cement that is sold at a drug store. Avoid using the tooth until you your dentist 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 can use crowns on teeth with extensive decay or cavities too large for a traditional dental filling. A dental crown will protect the tooth from more damage and help restore the tooth.
Can I chew gum or eat sticky food with a dental crown?
You can avoid chewing gum or eating very sticky foods with a dental crown. Except in the initial period after the crown placement. During this time, we highly recommend avoiding sticky and hard foods. Dental crowns are durable and designed to withstand normal chewing forces, but they can still be damaged easily.
Visit Our Annapolis Dental Office
Dental crowns can help restore your damaged tooth and oral health so you can enjoy your smile for years. For more information on dental crowns and other dental services we offer, or to schedule an appointment, contact the Annapolis dental office of Dr. Sheen today. Call us today at (443) 482-5202 or request an appointment online.