Dental Crowns
A damaged or weakened tooth doesn’t have to stay that way forever. Dental crowns offer a remarkable solution that can restore both the function and appearance of your teeth, allowing you to bite, chew, and smile with confidence once again! At Imagine Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we provide custom dental crowns designed to protect and strengthen your teeth while maintaining the natural, beautiful appearance of your smile.
Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has over 20 years of experience and has received a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. Dr. Coambs and her colleague Dr. Shelli Boucher use advanced dental technology, including our state-of-the-art iTero Lumina scanner, to create precisely fitted crowns that blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. Dental crowns may be the perfect solution for protecting your oral health, whether you need to restore a single tooth or multiple teeth.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are custom-made porcelain “caps” that completely cover a damaged or weakened tooth above the gum line. Think of a crown as a protective helmet for your tooth – it encases the entire visible portion of the tooth to restore strength, function, and appearance. Crowns are crafted from various materials, including different types of porcelain, and different metal alloys, depending on your specific needs and the location of the tooth.
The crown process at Imagine Dentistry begins with our iTero Lumina scanner, which creates detailed 3D images of your teeth without traditional gooey impressions. This advanced technology allows us to design crowns that fit perfectly and feel comfortable from day one. Each crown is custom-made in a dental laboratory to match the exact size, shape, and color of your natural teeth.
When You Might Need a Dental Crown
Several situations may indicate that you need a dental crown to protect your oral health. Teeth with large cavities that have damaged most of the tooth often require crowns because there is not enough healthy tooth structure remaining to provide sufficient support for a new traditional filling. Cracked or fractured teeth also benefit from the complete coverage that crowns provide, preventing the crack from spreading further.
If you need root canal therapy, it frequently requires that the tooth have a crown placed afterward. During root canal treatment, the inner pulp of the tooth is removed, which can make the remaining tooth structure more brittle. Also, when the nerve (pulp) is removed from your tooth, you lose the protective pain sensation that can sometimes protect you from injuring or cracking the tooth further. A crown provides the necessary strength to protect the treated tooth from future damage. Some patients choose crowns for cosmetic reasons as well.
The Crown Process at Imagine Dentistry
The crown placement process typically requires two appointments to ensure optimal results. During your first visit, we prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping it to accommodate the crown. Our iTero Lumina scanner then captures precise digital impressions, eliminating the need for messy traditional impression materials.
We’ll also determine the perfect shade to match your existing teeth, ensuring your crown blends naturally with your smile. A temporary crown protects your prepared tooth while your permanent crown is being crafted in the dental laboratory. This temporary crown allows you to eat and speak normally during the interim period.
Your second appointment involves removing the temporary crown and placing your custom-made permanent crown. We carefully check the fit, bite, and appearance before permanently cementing the crown in place. Dr. Coambs and Dr. Boucher ensure that your new crown feels comfortable and functions properly with your natural bite position.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Proper care can help your dental crown last for many years. Regular brushing and flossing remain essential, as the gum line around your crown needs to stay healthy to prevent decay or gum disease from recurring. While crowns are strong, they can still be damaged by excessive force, so avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or using your teeth as tools.
Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor your crown and surrounding teeth for any signs of wear or damage. Professional cleanings help maintain the health of your gums around the crown margin. Most patients find that their crowns feel completely natural within a few days of placement.
Some patients experience temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures immediately after crown placement, but this typically resolves within a few days. If you grind your teeth at night, Dr. Coambs may recommend a custom nightguard to protect your crown and natural teeth from excessive wear.
Restore Your Smile with Expert Care
Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has over 20 years of experience creating beautiful, functional smiles for patients throughout Charlotte. She has earned the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry and has received Charlotte Magazine’s Top Dentists Award from 2016 to 2025.
Dr. Shelli Boucher brings over 15 years of experience, including extensive continuing education at The Dawson Academy, to understand complex bite-related dental issues. Together, they provide comprehensive dental care using the latest technology and techniques. Contact our office today at (980) 844-7166 or request an appointment online to learn more about how dental crowns can restore your smile!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Crowns in Charlotte, NC
A weak tooth typically requires a crown when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure remaining to support a traditional filling. If more than half of your tooth is damaged by decay or fracture, a tooth shaped cap provides better protection and longevity. Your dental professional will evaluate the extent of damage and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Crowns offer comprehensive coverage that strengthens the entire tooth structure, unlike fillings that only replace small portions of missing tooth material.
If you have a broken tooth before your scheduled crown appointment, contact your dental professional immediately for guidance. Avoid chewing on that side and rinse gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean. A dental cap may be needed urgently to protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage. Your dentist might place a temporary restoration to shield the broken tooth until your permanent new crown can be fabricated and placed properly.
A well-maintained new crown can last 15-30 years or longer, often outlasting normal teeth in terms of resistance to decay and fracture. However, the underlying tooth can still develop tooth decay around the crown margins if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained. Restorative dentistry techniques have advanced significantly, making modern crowns incredibly durable. Regular dental checkups ensure your crown and surrounding normal teeth remain healthy, and any issues are addressed before they become serious problems.
Yes, tooth decay can develop under a crown if bacteria penetrate the seal between the dental cap and your natural tooth. This often occurs due to poor oral hygiene or when the crown becomes old and the cement weakens. Restorative dentistry can address this issue, but it typically requires removing the existing crown and treating the decay before placing a replacement. Your dental professional will monitor the margins of your crowns during regular examinations to detect any early signs of decay formation.
A loose crown typically results from cement failure, tooth decay underneath, or changes in the neighboring teeth that affect the fit. When a crown falls off, save it and contact your dental professional immediately for emergency treatment. The underlying tooth becomes vulnerable without its protective dental cap, especially if it’s been significantly reduced during the original preparation. Restorative dentistry can often recement the crown if both the crown and underlying tooth remain in good condition and undamaged.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Dental Insurance
We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.
