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’re 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. The benefits of getting a dental crown in Worcester, MA include:
- Cover Tooth Stains: Professional teeth whitening is the most common way to treat stained teeth. However, not every type of discoloration responds well to whitening treatments. Stains caused by certain medications, injuries, or other factors may need a different solution. In these cases, a crown can be the perfect fix. We carefully match the color of your crown to the shade you want, and because it covers the entire tooth, it hides all signs of discoloration for a bright, even smile.
- Protect Teeth After a Root Canal: After a root canal, your tooth may be weaker and more vulnerable to damage. During this procedure, we remove infected tissue from inside the tooth, clean it, and fill it with a safe material. A crown is then placed over the tooth to seal it off and prevent future infection. Crowns restore full chewing ability, strengthen the tooth, and provide long-lasting protection so you can use your tooth just like before.
- Support a Dental Bridge: If you have a traditional dental bridge, the natural teeth on either side of the gap must support it. This extra pressure can cause those teeth to wear down faster, crack, or develop decay. When we place crowns on the anchor teeth, the crowns take on the stress instead to to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
- Complete a Dental Implant: A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth, but it needs a crown to complete it. We design your crown to match the exact size, shape, and color of your natural teeth so it blends seamlessly into your smile. With an implant and crown, you get a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth.
Crowns are a great restorative option to treat stained, damaged, or missing teeth. If you need to create a fuller or more balanced bite, Dr. Gauthier can help. Call his office for a consultation.
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.
Preparation
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’ll prepare the tooth using special dental tools to remove and clean any infection. He’ll gently remove some of the outer sides of the tooth to create room for the tooth cap.
Crown Milling
Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Gauthier will use a special camera to take an optical impression of your tooth. This digital scan captures precise measurements, ensuring your crown will fit perfectly.
With the help of advanced CEREC InLab CAD/CAM software, our dental team designs your crown right on the computer. This allows us to customize every detail, from shape to bite alignment. The design is then sent to our in-office milling machine, where your crown is created from high-quality, tooth-colored ceramic. This material is both strong and natural-looking, so it blends seamlessly with your smile.
Final Placement
When your custom crown is ready, Dr. Gauthier will place it on your tooth to check the fit and make sure it feels comfortable. If needed, he will make small adjustments so your bite is just right. Once everything is perfect, he will bond the crown permanently to your tooth and give it a smooth polish. The entire process is completed in just one visit and several hours at our Northborough dental office.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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 need a 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. Also don’t use epoxy, glue, or oral cement to reattach your crown. Call our 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?
Dental crown costs can vary from patient to patient. The cost of your dental crown treatment will depend on these factors:
- Type of crown material
- Number of dental crowns
- Location of the treated tooth
- Insurance coverage
We’ll 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 are made to last between 10 and 15 years, and sometimes even longer. How long your crown lasts depends on a few things, including the type of material it’s made from and how well you take care of it.
Crowns can be made from different materials like metal, porcelain, ceramic, or a combination of these. Metal crowns tend to be very strong and last the longest. However, some people may notice their teeth feel more sensitive to hot or cold with metal crowns. Porcelain or ceramic crowns look more natural but may not last quite as long as metal ones.
Taking good care of your crown is just as important as the material. You should keep brushing and flossing your teeth gently every day, just like you do with your natural teeth. This helps prevent decay and gum disease around the crown and keeps it healthy for years. Also, avoid chewing on very hard foods or objects that could damage the crown.
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 treatment.
It’ll take time to get used to your new crowns, and you may experience some discomfort at first as you would during traditional crown treatment. But 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. Dr. Gauthier will color-match your crowns to your desired tooth shade.
Do you need temporary CEREC dental crowns?
No. You don’t need temporary dental crowns during CEREC treatment. We’ll take impressions, create your crown, and place the final 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. We also provide dental crown treatment in Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Westborough, MA.