At the Frederick Center for Dentistry, Dr. Sahil Goyal and Dr. Anshu Goyal restore teeth using dental crowns. Our team has many years of experience placing crowns to improve the health and appearance of our patient’s smiles. Our custom crowns will look, feel and function just like a natural tooth. Our dental office in Frederick, MD, can also provide CEREC same-day dental crowns.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, or dental cap, is a protective covering that your dentist will place over a tooth to protect it. The dental crown will completely encase that tooth down to the gum line. Dr. Goyal uses porcelain crowns to restore damaged, decayed, and weak teeth.
We make dental crowns to order, meaning that it will match the shape, size, strength, and appearance of your other teeth. No two dental crowns are alike from our dental office. This will help allow your tooth to function and also offers aesthetic benefits.
Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Dentists use dental crowns for many restorative and cosmetic purposes. Dr. Goyal or one of our dentists may suggest a dental crown for the following reasons:
- To repair tooth damage. Dentists can restore chipped, cracked, and broken teeth using a dental crown.
- To stop severe tooth decay. Severe tooth decay can create large cavities, especially in the cusps of teeth. A dentist can repair a large cavity using a dental crown, in cases where a filling won’t be enough.
- To hide a discolored tooth. A dentist can use a porcelain crown to cover a single stained or discolored tooth, and for other aesthetic reasons.
- To repair a misshapen tooth. The dentist can reshape a tooth using a crown so that it looks like a normal tooth.
- After a root canal treatment. Following root canal treatment, a dental crown will support and strengthen the repaired tooth. Crowns also minimize the risk of future tooth loss.
- To complete a dental implant restoration. A dental crown can top dental implants and serve as the prosthetic tooth.
Once in place, the dental crown will restore and protect the tooth, and look completely natural too. Our porcelain crowns act as a cap to cover a single tooth and restore its beauty, function, and comfort. We will make sure your new tooth crown will match the shape, size, and color of the adjacent teeth perfectly.
Same-Day Dental Crowns in Frederick, MD
Before treatment, Dr. Goyal will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and other support structures. From this exam, he will design a personalized treatment plan that will restore the tooth to optimal health and function. Dr. Goyal will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of the natural tooth structure to accommodate the crown.
At the Frederick Center for Dentistry, we use CEREC or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This modern dental technology uses CAD/CAM technology to make same-day dental crowns. The device consists of a camera, computer, and milling machine in one instrument. Patients can receive a custom ceramic dental crown in one visit with CEREC.
Dr. Goyal uses the camera to capture an impression of the damaged tooth or teeth receiving treatment. Then he digitally transfers the image to a computer screen, where he uses software to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while you wait in our office.
The Uses of Dental Crowns
One of the biggest benefits of dental crowns is their versatility. They can treat various oral health conditions.
Cosmetic Fixes
Professional teeth whitening is the go-to fix for discolored teeth. However, not all discoloration responds to this method. If you have discolored teeth due to trauma or medication staining, you require another solution. Dental crowns are color-matched to whatever shade of white you desire. They cover your entire tooth, ensuring no discoloration is visible when you smile.
Patients primarily see misshapen or deformed teeth as a cosmetic issue, but they can also impact oral function. Each tooth has a specific job. Your tongue interacts with all of your teeth to make words and sounds. Every tooth type also has a different role in chewing and breaking down food. A dental crown is shaped to match the rest of your natural teeth, ensuring it looks and functions properly.
Strengthening Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses for dental crowns is stabilizing a tooth after a root canal. When we perform a root canal, we remove infected dental pulp from inside the tooth, refill it with a biocompatible material, and seal it off. But sometimes, that doesn’t restore full function. A root canal provides more stability and ensures the restoration of full functionality.
When you get a traditional dental bridge, the teeth on either side of the span are anchor teeth. It puts a lot of pressure on the natural tooth structure. Anchor teeth are likelier to wear down faster and succumb to infections or tooth decay. Using a dental crown protects the natural structure of your teeth. The dental crown takes on the brunt of the work supporting the bridge instead of your natural tooth.
Treating Broken and Decayed Teeth
Dental crowns are the most common treatment for tooth decay or broken teeth. Tooth decay can eat away large portions of your natural tooth structure. If it gets too serious, it can infect the dental pulp in the center of your tooth. A crown can protect the interior of the tooth and restore the part of the tooth that’s decayed away.
A severe tooth break can also expose the dental pulp in your tooth, making it more prone to infection. A tooth break can also be sharp or jagged. It can harm the tongue or other soft tissues inside of your mouth, leading to the need for stitches. A dental crown replaces the broken-off portion of the tooth and prevents it from cutting other areas of your mouth.
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns are an effective restorative option to strengthen and enhance damaged or weakened teeth. Your dentist will evaluate your specific needs and recommend the most suitable type of crown for your situation. To learn more about crowns, read through our frequently asked questions section.
Is the dental crown procedure painful?
Dental crown treatment is generally pain-free. Dr. Goyal will ensure you are as comfortable as possible, offering sedation dentistry options when needed. Experiencing mild sensitivity after treatment is normal. These symptoms generally subside within 1 to 3 days of treatment.
What should I do if I have a broken crown?
If you have a broken crown, please contact our Frederick, MD dentist office for an appointment with Dr. Goyal. We try to see dental emergency patients on the same day whenever possible.
How long do dental crowns stay on?
A dental crown can last for about 15 years if you maintain it properly. However, if cared for properly, their lifespan can extend to more than 25-30 years.
Can you get a cavity under a crown?
The area beneath the crown is also vulnerable to cavities. Crowns made of ceramic are highly effective at preventing further decay or damage to the tooth they cover. However, if not cleaned thoroughly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If decay develops under the crown, we will remove it before reapplying a new cap.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are dental fillings that are similar to dental crowns. Inlays encompass the chewing surface of the tooth between the cusps. Onlays may involve one or more covered cusps. Both of these options are indirect porcelain restorations used to treat tooth damage and prevent cavities.
How do you prevent decay under a crown?
If you practice rigorous oral hygiene, you can remove plaque before it causes any problems. If you are prone to cavities, watching your diet and limiting the amount of sugar you consume each day is also helpful.
Can a crown be removed and put back on?
In most cases, a dentist will cut the crown into pieces to fully remove it. So saving and reusing a dental crown is extremely unlikely. However, the dentist can reattach a crown that fell out as long as it doesn’t have damage.
How long before a crown feels normal?
Although the new crown may initially feel bulky after placement, you will adjust to it in about 2 weeks. If the discomfort persists, call our office to schedule a checkup appointment.
Call the Frederick Center for Dentistry today at 301-264-5680 to book an appointment for a dental crown in Frederick, MD. You can also request an appointment online with one of our dentists. Patient comfort is our top priority. We utilize non-invasive technologies and modern methods for quick and effective treatment.