Dental Crowns in Chestnut Hill, MA
Restore Your Smile with Custom Dental Crowns
When you need to restore a damaged tooth or improve your smile, dental crowns offer a reliable, long-lasting solution. At The Dental Office at Chestnut Hill, our dentists provide custom-designed dental crowns that look natural, feel comfortable, and protect your teeth for years to come. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, extensive decay, or simply want to enhance your smile’s appearance, our team is here to help you achieve optimal oral health.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers a damaged or weakened tooth. Think of it as a protective helmet for your tooth that restores its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are custom-made to match the color and contour of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless blend with your smile.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Our Chestnut Hill dentists may recommend a dental crown for several reasons. You might need a crown if you have a tooth that’s severely decayed and too damaged for a standard filling. Crowns are also essential after root canal treatment to protect the treated tooth from future damage. If you’ve experienced a fracture or crack in your tooth, a crown can hold the tooth together and prevent further breakage.
Dental crowns also play an important role in cosmetic dentistry. They can cover discolored or misshapen teeth, creating a more uniform and attractive smile. Additionally, crowns serve as anchors for dental bridges and can be placed on top of dental implants to replace missing teeth entirely.
Types of Dental Crowns
At The Dental Office at Chestnut Hill, we offer several types of dental crowns to meet your specific needs and preferences. Porcelain crowns are among the most popular choices because they closely mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth, making them ideal for front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine the aesthetic appeal of porcelain with the strength of metal, offering durability for back teeth that endure significant chewing pressure.
For patients seeking maximum strength, gold alloy or base metal alloy crowns provide exceptional durability and require less tooth structure removal. While these aren’t tooth-colored, they’re excellent choices for molars where appearance is less of a concern. We’ll help you select the best material based on the tooth’s location, your budget, and your aesthetic goals.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Getting a dental crown typically requires two visits to our office. During your first appointment, we’ll examine the affected tooth and prepare it by removing any decay and reshaping it to accommodate the crown. Using our advanced digital impression technology, we’ll create precise molds of your tooth and the surrounding teeth. These impressions are sent to our trusted dental laboratory, where skilled technicians craft your custom crown.
While your permanent crown is being made, we’ll place a temporary crown to protect your tooth. This temporary restoration allows you to eat and speak normally while you wait. Once your permanent crown is ready, usually within two to three weeks, you’ll return for your second visit. We’ll remove the temporary crown, check the fit and color of your new crown, and permanently cement it in place.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
With proper care, dental crowns can last 10 to 15 years or even longer. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss around your crown just as you would your natural teeth, and visit our office regularly for checkups and cleanings. Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or other very hard objects that could damage your crown. If you grind your teeth at night, we may recommend a night guard to protect both your crown and natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
How long does the dental crown procedure take?
The entire process typically takes two visits over the course of two to three weeks. Each appointment usually lasts between 60 to 90 minutes.
Will getting a dental crown hurt?
We use local anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. You shouldn’t feel pain during the treatment, though you may experience some sensitivity afterward, which typically subsides within a few days.
Are dental crowns covered by insurance?
Many dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of crown procedures, especially when they’re medically necessary. We accept many insurance plans and can help you understand your coverage.
Can a crowned tooth get a cavity?
While the crown itself cannot decay, the tooth structure beneath it can still develop cavities if bacteria accumulate at the crown’s margin. This is why proper oral hygiene is so important.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you think you might need a dental crown or want to learn more about how crowns can improve your smile, contact The Dental Office at Chestnut Hill today at (617) 969-8558. Our skilled team is ready to help you restore your smile with high-quality dental crowns tailored to your unique needs.