Dr. Alexander offers patients the convenience of single-visit crowns or same-day crowns, made possible with cutting-edge CEREC technology. This state-of-the-art technology makes custom-fit, high-quality porcelain dental crowns in just one visit.
Benefits of CEREC Same-day Crowns
- One-visit convenience
- No temporaries
- Digital impressions
- High-quality
- Color-matching to blend with natural teeth
- Metal-free
- Clinically proven
A dental crown is a restoration that fits over the tooth, like a “cap,” to protect and/or reinforce the tooth. About 90% of all dental crowns in Dr. Alexander’s office are created using CEREC technology.
Traditional methods for the procedure call for the dental crown to be created in a dental laboratory, requiring multiple visits and usually temporaries while the final restorations are being made.
Patients enjoy the convenience that CEREC provides. Where two or three visits were normally needed, patients only need to make one visit. The quality and satisfaction are as great or higher than traditional dental crowns.
Replacing Missing Teeth is Important for Long-Term Oral Health
Many patients with a missing tooth don’t realize this can be more than a cosmetic issue.
Missing teeth can lead to additional dental problems over time as the occlusal system, and the jaw respond to the loss. A missing tooth can lead to bone loss in the surrounding area and difficulty speaking and chewing. Patients may develop an imbalance in their bite, which can have its own set of side effects.
Restorative dentistry offers a variety of options for replacing a missing tooth, but the dental implant has become the “gold standard” for many reasons. It can be used when replacing a single tooth or for securing dentures when replacing several teeth.
Dr. Alexander offers dental implants to his Jacksonville area patients. We will take the time to evaluate thoroughly to determine if you will be a good candidate for implants. The entire process typically takes 6-9 months. This allows ample time for the surgically implanted titanium post to heal and begin to fuse with the jaw bone.
Dr. Alexander will coordinate the surgical phase with an oral surgeon or periodontist and follow up after surgery to place a temporary crown while the post heals. This enables patients to function normally until the final restoration is placed.
Once complete, dental implants can be cared for like natural teeth are maintained, including regular visits twice a year. Dental implants can last a lifetime with good at-home oral hygiene and regular dental care.
Dental implants have had a 95% success rate among patients and have been a more comfortable and convenient option when used to secure appliances such as dentures. Implant-secured dentures allow patients to eat without restriction and with no fear of slippage.
The Many Uses of Dental Crowns
One of the reasons dental crowns are so popular is that they can treat multiple cosmetic and restorative issues.
Correcting Cosmetic Flaws
Discolored teeth are something that everyone will experience at some point. Typically, we use professional teeth whitening to treat it. However, discoloration caused by trauma or intrinsic staining in deeper layers of your tooth doesn’t respond to teeth bleaching. We can color-match a dental crown to be the exact shade of white you desire. It covers your entire tooth, so none of the discoloration will show.
Misshapen or deformed teeth can make you feel self-conscious. But they can also impact how your mouth functions. The tongue uses the teeth to make the sounds that form speech. Each tooth also has a particular job for chewing and breaking down food. A dental crown is shaped to match the size and shape of the rest of your teeth. It makes your smile look uniform and restores the full function of your teeth.
Stabilizing Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to stabilize your tooth after a root canal procedure. During a root canal, we remove infected tissue inside your tooth, refilling it with a biocompatible material and sealing it from further infection. But sometimes, that doesn’t restore your complete tooth function. A dental crown guarantees better function and provides another barrier against infection.
A dental bridge uses natural teeth on either side of the span to anchor it. It puts a lot of stress on your natural teeth. These teeth are more likely to wear down prematurely and experience tooth decay. We recommend placing dental crowns on these anchor teeth to protect the natural tooth structure. The crown takes on the stress and pressure, keeping the tooth structure intact.
Treating Broken and Decayed Teeth
Dental crowns are often the last resort for teeth with severe damage or decay. We practice conservative dentistry and want to keep the tooth root intact whenever possible. If a tooth is shattered, a crown can hold it together. When there’s severe decay, a crown fills the space where we remove decay, restoring function.
When a tooth breaks, a tiny amount isn’t much of a worry. When a large portion breaks off, it’s more of a problem. It can expose dental nerves, causing pain whenever something comes into contact with them. It also opens this sensitive area up to infection. If there are sharp edges from the break, you can also experience cuts and scrapes on your tongue or other soft tissue.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Dental crowns can treat many dental problems. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
How long does it take to get a dental crown?
Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to a traditional dentist office. At Alexander Dentistry, our Jacksonville dentist office can fabricate and place your final permanent crown in a single visit. Call us for more details and to schedule an appointment.
Can an existing dental crown be whitened?
No. A dental crown can not be whitened using traditional teeth whitening procedures because of the material it’s made of. However, you will not have to worry about new modern dental crowns discoloring because they are made with high-quality stain-resistant material. Whitening strips and other at-home whitening kits will not affect crowns either.
What happens if my dental crown cracks or breaks?
Give your dentist a call immediately if you notice that your crown is damaged in any way. Do not attempt to put back a crown that has fallen out. It may become painful to use your tooth, and you may notice heightened sensitivity. We can repair or replace your dental crown in a single visit.
How long does it take a dental crown to settle?
After two weeks, your dental crowns will settle fully. Though the size and shape are comparable to your natural teeth, it’s still something new in your mouth. At first, it might feel almost too big for your mouth. After two weeks, you will be accustomed to your restoration, and it will function naturally.
Why can’t you eat hard foods after you get a dental crown?
Directly after you receive a dental crown, avoid hard and crunchy foods like nuts, bagels, and chips. Eating soft foods for the first 36 hours after you receive your crown can prevent your crown from lifting or damaging your crown.
When can I brush after I get a dental crown?
It will take 24 hours for the cement that holds the dental crown to harden. After that point, you can gently brush your crown, surrounding teeth, and gums.
Schedule a Dental Care Exam Today
If you have a missing tooth or ill-fitting dentures, contact Dr. Alexander. We offer a free consultation for patients with missing teeth who want to discuss their options. Call our dental office to learn more about single-visit dental crowns in Jacksonville, or schedule your consultation online with Dr. Alexander.