Weak, damaged, badly deformed, or stained teeth may benefit from dental crowns. Dr. Robert Gauthier uses only the best dental ceramic to create natural-looking dental crowns in Northborough, MA. If you are looking for natural-looking cosmetic dental restorations to restore damaged teeth, look no further than Dr. Robert Gauthier’s office.
A dental crown is a customized “cap” that a dentist places over the tooth to restore its strength and improve its appearance. Metal can discolor the teeth and cause discomfort. The latest dental materials remove the need for the use of metal in dental crowns. Dr. Gauthier’s use of modern, high-quality materials and CEREC technology ensures that your smile will have the look and feel of your natural teeth.
Dental Crowns in Northborough, MA
Not only can dental crowns restore teeth, but they can also improve the appearance of teeth. With the use of high-quality ceramics and the CEREC system, a tooth crown will look real, just like the rest of your natural teeth. Also, it will blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile because it matches the exact color of your natural tooth enamel. A dental crown can hide any tooth imperfection since it encases the whole tooth.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most useful tools a dentist has in their arsenal. We can use crowns to treat both cosmetic and restorative dental problems. Traditionally, professional tooth whitening is used to treat discolored teeth. However, not all discoloration responds to this treatment.
Discoloration caused by medication or trauma needs a different solution. We color-match crowns to the shade you desire. And they go over the entire tooth, hiding any discoloration.
One of the most common restorative uses of dental crowns is to stabilize teeth after root canals. We remove infected material from inside the tooth and refill it with a biocompatible material. It is then sealed off to prevent any further infection. We want to ensure you get back the full functionality of your tooth.
A dental crown gives you back complete functionality and also provides extra protection against infection, as well as increased tooth strength, as they are extremely durable.
Crowns can protect your natural teeth from further stress and damage, too. If you have a traditional dental bridge, anchor teeth on each side are what is used to support it.
This puts a lot of strain on these teeth, causing them to wear prematurely, be more likely to break or make them more susceptible to tooth decay. Preparing them with dental crowns lets the crown take on the excess stress.
Crowns are also one of the best ways to complete a dental implant. We make crowns specifically to fit the size, shape, and shade of the rest of your teeth.
After your crown is placed, you must maintain a good oral care routine at home. If you find any issues or experience prolonged discomfort after receiving your crown, do not hesitate to contact our office.
We also recommend scheduling regular dental cleanings and examinations so that we can ensure your crown remains healthy, along with the rest of your mouth.
Treatment with Dental Crowns at Apex Dental
Dr. Gauthier is the first and only dentist in Northborough to use CEREC for same-day dental crowns. CEREC uses advanced CAD/CAM software to produce indirect ceramic restorations in a single visit. The entire process can take about one and a half hours to create and install a dental crown.
To begin the crown process, your dentist will prepare your mouth. Getting a dental crown will not hurt because Dr. Gauthier uses a local anesthetic to numb your mouth. Then, he will prepare the tooth using special dental tools to remove and clean any infection.
He will gently remove some of the outer sides of the tooth to create room for the tooth cap. Next, a special camera will take an optical impression of the tooth to record its exact measurements.
Using the CAD/CAM software, our dental team will digitally prepare the dental crown for fabrication. Then, we will send it to our in-office laboratory. There, we will create your crown using the finest tooth-colored ceramic. When your new crown is complete, Dr. Gauthier will permanently attach it to your tooth.
He will also make any necessary adjustments and polish it. Patients can leave with a renewed tooth after a single one to two-hour visit to our Northborough dental office near you.
Dental Crown FAQs
Do you have more questions about the dental crown process and what they can be used to restore in our office? Continue reading to find answers to some of the most frequent questions asked regarding crowns in our office.
Do dental crowns require special care?
Dental crowns are highly durable as well as stain and decay-resistant. To ensure your dental crown lasts, you should continue practicing good at-home oral hygiene and visit the dentist at least twice a year. Your Apex dentist can make personalized recommendations for improving oral health habits to support overall dental wellness.
Why do I need a dental crown?
Dental crowns are an effective solution for a range of dental concerns. Patients may require a dental crown to fix a cosmetic blemish, such as a crack or discoloration. Dental crowns can fit a tooth after a root canal to help stabilize the natural tooth structure. We can also use dental crowns and implants to replace a missing tooth.
What should I do if a crown falls out?
DO NOT attempt to put it back on. Do not attempt to use epoxy, glue, or oral cement to reattach it. Call your dentist as soon as possible and keep the crown clean. A dental crown can fail if the dentist did not secure it correctly or it was not custom-made for your tooth. It can also fail if you experience damage due to trauma to the mouth.
How much are dental crowns?
The cost of your dental crown treatment will depend on the following:
- Type of crown material
- Number of dental crowns
- Location of the treated tooth
- Insurance coverage
We will provide an estimate of your crown cost before treatment. Our dental office also accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Dental, Dental Blue, Met Life Dental, United Healthcare Dental Insurance, Delta Dental, and Guardian Dental Insurance.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns can last 10 to 15 years or longer. The material of your crown can impact how long it lasts. How you care for your crowns will also keep them intact; continue to gently brush and floss to keep your crowns healthy.
Is CEREC safe?
Yes, same-day CEREC technology is as safe as traditional dental crown treatment. CEREC impressions are painless and the milling machine creates biocompatible crowns. Biocompatible materials safely interact with your natural tissue. You will not experience severe side effects after CEREC treatment.
It will take time to get used to your new crowns, and you may experience initial discomfort as you would during traditional crown treatment. However, this will fade after several days.
Do CEREC crowns look natural?
Yes. Because CEREC uses ceramic materials, the ceramic crowns easily blend in with the shade of natural teeth. Like other tooth-colored dental crowns, CEREC crowns look natural.
Do you need temporary CEREC dental crowns?
No. You do not need temporary dental crowns during CEREC treatment. We will take impressions, create your crown, and place the crown in one office visit.
Receive a Dental Crown Today
If you want same-day dental crowns or have more questions, please call Apex Dental at (508) 506-1691. Feel free to request a dental appointment online.