At Irving Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe a dental crown should be indistinguishable from your real teeth. Our dentists, Dr. Charles Langdon and Dr. Ellen Zamora combine advanced techniques with an artist’s eye to create strong dental crowns in Greensboro, NC.
We also know dental visits can be stressful. Our team is here to make your crown procedure as comfortable and predictable as possible. From your first consultation to your final fitting, your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We’ll give you a beautiful, functional smile with our restorative dental treatments.
When Do You Need a Crown?
Think of a dental crown as a strong, custom-made cap that fits right over your tooth. If a tooth is damaged, weak, or just doesn’t look the way you want, a crown can fix it. It protects the tooth, makes it strong again, and helps your smile look its best.
You might need a dental crown if you have:
- A cracked, broken, or worn down tooth
- A weak tooth that needs protection from breaking
- A tooth with a very large filling
- A badly shaped or discolored tooth
- A tooth that has had a root canal
- A dental implant or a bridge that needs support
- For kids, a crown can save a baby tooth that has a very large cavity
One of our dentists will examine your problem tooth or teeth. Then he or she may recommend a crown for you based on the extent of your tooth damage.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Tooth crowns offer many benefits for patients with damaged, weakened, or worn teeth. Because a crown covers and protects the tooth, it restores your tooth strength so you can bite and chew comfortably again. This added protection can prevent further damage and reduce the risk of needing more extensive treatment later.
Crowns also improve the appearance of your smile. They’re custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, creating a seamless look. When you properly brush, floss, and visit us regularly, crowns can last 10 to 15 or more years.
Which Type of Crown is Best for You?
We offer a few different types of crowns. We’ll help you choose the best one based on where the tooth is in your mouth and what you need.
- All-Porcelain/Ceramic: These metal-free crowns look the most like real teeth. They’re a fantastic choice for teeth that show when you smile.
- Strong Metal (like gold): These are the toughest and most durable. Because of their color, they’re usually best for back teeth that do a lot of heavy chewing.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal: This crown gives you the best of both worlds. You get a natural tooth color on the outside with a strong metal core on the inside.
- Zirconia: This is a great option because it’s very strong and also looks natural. It works well for many different teeth.
No matter which type you choose, the result is the same: a tooth that works like normal and looks great. Once your crown is placed, you’ll be able to eat your favorite foods, smile with confidence, and forget you ever had a problem.
The Dental Crown Process in Greensboro, NC
We know that getting a crown can sound like a big deal, but we’ve made the process straightforward and comfortable. We use digital scanners for fast impressions and work with you to choose the perfect crown material for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect.
Step 1: The Consultation
First, we’ll gently examine your tooth and take some pictures (digital X-rays or scans) to make a plan. Our digital scanner creates a precise model of your tooth in minutes.
Step 2: Preparing the Tooth
When you’re ready for the procedure, we’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable by numbing the area around your tooth. You shouldn’t feel any pain, just a little pressure.
Next, we’ll carefully shape your tooth so the new crown can fit over it perfectly, like a snug hat. This just means removing a very thin layer from the outside.
Step 3: The Perfect Digital Impression
This is where our modern technology makes all the difference. Instead of using messy putty that can make you gag, we use a small, advanced digital scanner. It’s like a tiny camera that takes a super-precise 3D picture of your tooth. It’s fast, comfortable, and gives us a perfect model.
Step 4: Your Temporary Crown
While your permanent crown is being custom-made for you, we’ll place a temporary crown to protect your shaped tooth. This temporary crown lets you eat and smile normally until your next visit.
Step 5: Crafting Your Permanent Crown
We send your digital scan to a master dental lab where a skilled technician crafts your permanent crown. They use the highest-quality materials to make it strong, durable, and a perfect match for your natural teeth.
Step 6: Placing Your New, Permanent Crown
About two weeks later, you’ll come back to see us. We’ll remove the temporary crown, clean the area, and check the fit and color of your new permanent crown. Once we are all thrilled with how it looks and feels, we’ll securely bond it into place.
And that’s it! In just two comfortable visits to our Greensboro dental practice, you’ll have a strong, beautiful tooth.
How Much Are Dental Crowns?
We ensure you get affordable dental crowns in Greensboro. We provide clear, upfront cost estimates and will work directly with your insurance company. Our office also offers flexible payment plans through CareCredit and LendingClub. We want to help you stay in your budget and keep your investment in a healthy smile manageable.
Schedule a Dental Exam
Whether you need to strengthen a damaged molar or perfect the appearance of a front tooth, we can help. We offer comfortable dental crown treatment in our Greensboro dental office.
Schedule an appointment with us today! Our friendly team is here to answer any questions you have. Call us at (336) 502-0142 or request an appointment online. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental family.