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Dental Crowns in Raleigh, NC

On occasion, patients may experience issues with their teeth becoming damaged, decayed, or even less aesthetically pleasing than the surrounding teeth. In these cases, dental crowns can be an excellent solution to restore the surface of your teeth back to a naturally beautiful and healthy shine.

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Still Photograph of 2 Dental Crowns
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Renaissance Dentists Posing together

What is a Dental Crown?

Drs. Abernethy, Sonner & Wells share a joined passion for only the highest quality of dentistry on your journey towards optimal oral health.

When dentists examine the ‘crowns’ of your teeth, they are referring to the surface of your tooth that shows over the gum-line. When this area is damaged, a dental crown is a covering that sits directly on top of the tooth to help protect the remaining tooth structure and improve oral hygiene. Crowns are typically shaded to the color of your existing teeth but can be constructed using a variety of materials such as metal, resin, porcelain, or ceramic.

Dentists recommend placing a dental crown when a patient’s tooth is damaged by cracking, decay, or significant fractures. Crowns can also be used to improve the look of unsightly teeth or protect weak areas on the surface of the teeth.

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Long Lasting

The life span of a dental crown can be based on a number of different variables. If you are taking care of your teeth by practicing a good oral hygiene routine twice daily and staying away from foods that tend to crack the surface of teeth, your crown could last several decades. The average amount of time reported is between 5-15 years, but some dental crowns have been known to withstand up to 30 years with proper maintenance!

Dental Crown Side Effects

Immediately after the placement of your crown, you may experience slight sensitivity in your teeth or gums. This reaction is very common and can be maintained using over-the-counter pain relievers or by a prescription medication, if the pain is severe. There are also rinses and pastes formulated to ease the discomfort of oral sensitivity your dentist can suggest.

Future Risks

When a patient has a dental crown delivered, it is extremely important to practice good oral hygiene daily in order to prevent decay and bacterial infections that can occur under the surface. Because the crown is designed to replicate a natural tooth, there is still the possibility of cracking, fracturing, and chipping if eating or chewing on hard foods.

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Dental Crown Process

Before a final crown can be placed, X-rays will need to be taken of the tooth or teeth in question to determine if there is any damage below the gum line. If the root and gums are stable, your dentist will remove the decayed areas of the tooth before reshaping it to prepare for the fitting of the crown.

Next, impressions of the tooth will be made as a tool for the lab to construct your crown, a process taking about two to three weeks to complete. In the meantime, your dentist may place a temporary crown, typically made from acrylic, to protect the reshaped tooth from further damage.

When your crown is complete, you will need to schedule an additional appointment for removal of the temporary crown and placement of the final one. Your dentist may suggest a dose of local anesthetic, so you are comfortable during the procedure. Once the color and shape of the crown are approved, it is cemented into place, and you are free to go with your new smile.

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Renaissance Dental Center is located in Raleigh, NC but graciously provide comprehensive Dental Services to all surrounding areas including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner.

Dental Crowns Vs. Veneers

When considering your dental options, you may be wondering what procedure is best for your particular circumstance. If you have compared the options of crowns and veneers, it’s important to note that these procedures differ in placement, purpose, and functionality.

Veneers: Veneers are thin shells, typically made of porcelain, that cover the front surface of your teeth to alter their color, size, and shape. They can hide signs of discoloration. However, they serve mostly as a cosmetic option rather than a restorative procedure.

Crowns: Patients who need a dental crown typically are interested in restoring both the appearance and functionality of their teeth. As opposed to veneers, crowns cover the all the surfaces of the tooth above the gum line, allowing for more effective chewing and biting when eating. The treatment does have cosmetic benefits, but the primary purpose is focused on the repair of damaged and/or decayed teeth.

It’s always best to discuss multiple treatment options with your dentist to assure you are choosing the correct procedure for your dental concern.

Costs Associated With Dental Crowns

The cost of a dental crown, much like any other dental procedure, differs based on your insurance plan. Cost of the treatment will also vary based on the type of material used to construct your crown. Before visiting your dentist, it would be helpful to check with your insurance company to review your coverage for crowns.

Knowing this information before going into your appointment will help both you and your dentist to determine what crown will fit best for your circumstance. You can also discuss financing options with your dental team if you are interested in a crown that is not covered or only partially covered by your insurance plan.

Dental crowns can dramatically change the lives of individuals with damaged teeth. By providing a healthy alternative to repairing teeth, you can be confident again in your smile. If you’re experiencing trouble with decaying or broken teeth, don’t wait to contact your dentist to see if you are a candidate for a crown procedure.

MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE ARTISTS

Anna Abernethy, DDS

Dr. Abernethy grew up in Concord, North Carolina, however, she has called Raleigh "home" for the past 20 years. She came to Raleigh to attend college and graduated from Meredith College Magna Cum Laude in 2001 with a BS in biology and a minor in chemical physics.

Jill Sonner, DDS

Dr. Sonner was born and raised in Raleigh NC, and she attended both UNC Wilmington and North Carolina State University. She received her undergraduate degree from NCSU in 1999 with high honors, obtaining a BS in Biological Sciences. During college she supported research staff at NIEHS and performed an independent study focusing on Diabetes.

Anita Jones Wells, DDS

Dr. Wells is a North Carolina native who grew up in the Pinehurst area and has spent the past 10 years studying and practicing dentistry in Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she completed both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Dental Surgery, graduating with honors.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES OFFERED

General Dentistry

We each enjoy doing a broad range of procedures. This allows us to provide many services in-house rather than referring patients out as much as possible. From simple tooth colored fillings to surgical procedures, we enjoy offering a range of options for our patients.

Cosmetic Dentistry

We have all devoted many hours to advanced training under the direction of Frank Spear who is world renowned for cosmetic repair of the most worn or severely damaged teeth. We appreciate the impact a beautiful attractive smile has on one’s self confidence and can deliver remarkable cosmetic results for people needing a various degrees of smile design.

Dental Implants

We have each received our implant fellowship with the International Dental Implant Association under the direction of Oral Surgeon Dr. Garg and have been placing dental implants since 2005. Implants are a rehabilitative option for patients needing to replace missing teeth or anchor dentures.

Dental Grafting

We offer a minimally invasive alternative option for covering exposed roots caused by recession that does not involve extensive roof of the mouth grafting, called the Gumdrop Technique.

Sedation Dentistry

Dental procedures can be often overwhelming due to phobia, and needed appointments to the dental office are often delayed or even avoided entirely. Our office offers multiple levels of sedation to make sure you're visiting as often as suggested.

Dental Crowns

Your smile may become damaged, decayed, or need cosmetic repair and jeopardizing your oral health. Dental crowns are the perfect solution for such patients. Restore your teeth back to a beautiful and healthy shine.

Porcelain Veneers

Sometimes aspects of your teeth cannot be changed as easily. In these cases, to get the healthy cosmetic smile you're looking for porcelain veneers are the perfect solution.

CEREC & CAD/CAM

We have been using digital impressions and 3D printing since 2010. This technique allows us to eliminate many steps that commonly amount to error. Computer aided design allows us to make and deliver restorations in the same visit preventing additional appointments and taking advantage of the patient being numbed only one time.

Teeth Whitening

In today’s world, white teeth are the norm and if yours are yellow or discolored it affects your self confidence. Something as simple as whitening can drastically change your appeal. In the past most of the whitening options caused tooth sensitivity. We offer an array of choices that are tailored to avoid sensitivity while giving you the best outcome.

Laser Therapies

We all hate those dreadful fever blisters. Did you know if you laser them when you feel that very first tingle they won’t erupt? Suffer no more from unsightly sores, we offer this as quick and painless option.