Why Patients Choose New You Dental Center
We want your dental visits to feel comfortable, convenient, and straightforward. Our Southfield office offers amenities such as TVs in treatment rooms, noise-canceling headphones, blankets, free Wi-Fi, phone-charging stations, and a children’s play area.
We also use digital X-rays and intraoral cameras to help you better understand what we see during your exam. Dr. Meyering and our team explain your treatment options clearly and recommend care with your long-term oral health in mind.
Our Southfield dental office also offers parking and wheelchair access for added convenience.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that covers the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth. It can restore the tooth’s shape and chewing function while protecting the remaining tooth structure.
Crowns may be recommended for teeth that are cracked, heavily restored, worn down, or weakened after root canal treatment.
Dental Crown Treatment in Southfield
Dental crown treatment typically involves preparing the tooth, taking a precise digital scan or impression, and placing a custom-made restoration.
At New You Dental Center, we use digital impressions and an intraoral scanner to capture detailed models of your teeth without traditional impression putty.
Typical steps may include:
- Digital scans and X-rays to evaluate the tooth and plan treatment
- Local anesthesia to help keep you comfortable
- Preparation of the tooth while preserving healthy tooth structure when possible
- Placement of a temporary crown while the permanent crown is made
- Final placement, bite adjustment, and polishing
Most dental crowns require two visits. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared, and a temporary crown is placed. At the second appointment, the permanent crown is fitted, adjusted, and secured.
What Materials Are Used for Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns can be made from materials such as zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal. The right material depends on the location and condition of the tooth as well as your bite and cosmetic goals.
Your dentist may consider factors such as:
- Where the tooth is located
- Your bite and chewing forces
- The condition of the tooth
- Your cosmetic goals
Our goal is to recommend a durable restoration that fits comfortably and blends naturally with the surrounding teeth.
Benefits of a Dental Crown
A dental crown can help preserve a compromised natural tooth and restore normal function. Depending on your situation, a crown may help:
- Protect a tooth after a root canal or large filling
- Restore comfortable chewing
- Reduce the risk of additional structural damage
- Improve the appearance of a cracked or worn tooth
- Match nearby teeth for a natural-looking result
- Preserve a weakened natural tooth
- Reduce sensitivity or discomfort caused by structural damage
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
A dental crown may be necessary when a tooth is too weak or damaged to be predictably repaired with a filling alone.
A crown may be recommended if you have:
- A large cavity
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- A tooth weakened by root canal treatment
- Significant wear from grinding
- A broken, loose, missing, or failing filling
- A tooth with extensive previous dental work
A crown is not always the best treatment. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure remains, alternatives may include a filling, onlay, or veneer.
If a tooth cannot be saved, extraction and replacement with a dental implant may also be considered. If you are experiencing sudden or severe dental pain, emergency dental care may be more appropriate than a routine crown consultation.
What Is the Difference Between a Crown and a Filling?
A filling repairs a smaller area of tooth damage, while a crown covers and protects most or all of the visible portion of a weakened tooth.
A filling may be appropriate when enough healthy tooth structure remains to support it. A crown may be recommended when damage is more extensive, and the tooth needs additional strength and protection.
Your dentist can evaluate the condition of the tooth and explain which treatment option is more appropriate for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
Dental crowns can last for many years with good oral hygiene and regular dental care. Longevity can also depend on your bite, eating habits, tooth-grinding habits, and the condition of the underlying tooth.
We will provide instructions for caring for your crown after treatment.
Will My Dental Crown Look Natural?
Yes. A dental crown can be matched to the color, shape, and proportions of your surrounding teeth for a natural-looking result.
Digital impressions also help us create an accurate fit.
Is Getting a Dental Crown Painful?
The area is numbed with local anesthesia before the tooth is prepared, which helps keep treatment comfortable.
If you feel anxious about dental care, ask our team about available comfort and sedation options.
How Many Visits Does a Dental Crown Take?
Most dental crowns require two appointments. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared and a temporary crown is placed. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted, adjusted, and secured.
What Should I Bring to My Appointment?
Bring your insurance card and any questions you would like to discuss with our team.
Our staff can help explain your benefits, payment options, treatment recommendations, and next steps. Our patient education resources can also help you learn more about caring for your oral health before and after restorative treatment.
Schedule a Dental Crown Consultation in Southfield
If a cracked, painful, or weakened tooth is making it difficult to chew comfortably or feel confident about your smile, a dental crown may help protect and restore the tooth.
At New You Dental Center in Southfield, Dr. Meyering and our team will evaluate the condition of your tooth, explain your treatment options, show you digital images when appropriate, and help you determine which restoration fits your needs.
Schedule a dental crown consultation in Southfield, or call our office to get started.
