Protect a damaged tooth with a crown planned for your needs. CEREC same-day crowns are available for appropriate cases, alongside traditional laboratory-made crowns.
Dental crowns — often called "caps" — are custom, tooth-shaped restorations designed to cover your existing tooth all the way down to the gum line. A crown may be recommended when a tooth needs more support than a filling can provide. We’ll examine the tooth and discuss whether a crown or another treatment is appropriate. We care for patients in Mt. Juliet and nearby communities.
Crowns are most often used to repair cavities that have grown too large for a filling to fix reliably. They may also protect and rebuild a tooth after root canal therapy.
A crown may help restore a cracked or broken tooth. The type and extent of the damage determine whether the tooth can be saved and what treatment it needs.
Less commonly, crowns serve purely cosmetic purposes. For very small or misshapen teeth, or teeth with deep internal staining, a crown can sometimes be a better choice than veneers or bonding — and we'll walk you through that comparison if it applies to you.
We examine the tooth and take images or photographs when needed, then discuss whether a crown or a more conservative option is right for you.
Depending on urgency, preparation may begin that day. Once the tooth is numb, we remove decay and damaged areas and shape it for the crown.
For a suitable CEREC same-day crown, we scan, design, and mill the crown in our office. Other teeth benefit from a laboratory-made crown, with a temporary restoration while the final crown is being made. We explain the route and expected visits before treatment.
We check the crown’s fit, contacts, appearance, and bite before securing it. A suitable CEREC crown can often be completed during the preparation appointment; a laboratory-made crown needs a later placement visit. Your tooth and treatment needs determine the timeline.
If you have a deep cavity, a tooth that's had a root canal, or a tooth damaged by an injury, there's a good chance you're a candidate. A crown can help protect a weakened tooth, but it does not eliminate every risk of fracture or future treatment. An examination and appropriate imaging help us assess the tooth and explain your options.
Crowns can serve for many years, but their lifespan varies with the tooth, material, bite, and home care. Regular checkups help us assess the crown, its margins, and the tooth underneath. A same-day crown still needs the same attention to cleaning and maintenance as other crowns.
We select the crown material based on your tooth’s location, chewing forces, and appearance. We’ll explain the benefits and limitations of the options suitable for your tooth.
One important note: a crown protects the tooth structure it covers, but it doesn't make the tooth immune to gum disease or decay at the margins. Great home care and regular checkups protect your investment.
Minor sensitivity and gum tenderness can occur after placement. Follow your aftercare instructions and ask which pain relief is appropriate for you.
Long term: brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and keep the checkups and cleanings recommended for you. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a custom nightguard — and don't use your teeth as tools.
Be sensible with very hard and sticky foods: ice, fingernails, popcorn kernels, and hard candy are the usual suspects when crowns chip or come loose.
We use local anesthetic and check that you are comfortable before beginning. You may feel pressure or movement; tell us if you feel discomfort so we can pause and adjust. Nitrous oxide is available when appropriate. We can discuss oral and IV conscious sedation when appropriate for your health and treatment.
When the anesthetic wears off, mild tenderness around the tooth is normal and fades within a few days. If pain persists or intensifies, call us right away — that's not normal, and we’ll advise you on the next appropriate assessment.