A chipped, worn, or broken tooth can cause pain and an uneven bite. Dental crowns help restore your tooth’s shape and strength to bring back confidence in your smile. At Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Emily Ann Reece places dental crowns for patients in Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas.
Her training at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville gave her hands-on experience restoring teeth after root canals, extractions, and complex medical cases. She designs each crown to look natural and blend with your other teeth, so you can smile proudly again.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth. It can restore teeth that are chipped, broken, decayed, or cracked. Dentists can also cover single dental implants with crowns to replace missing teeth. After a root canal, a crown can protect and strengthen the tooth.
Dr. Reece helps patients find the right solution for their dental problems. If you need a dental implant or have a damaged tooth, contact her for treatment today.
We may suggest a dental crown for:
- A tooth after a root canal
- Large cavities
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Misshapen or crooked teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Lengthening short teeth
- Other cosmetic goals
Dr. Reece will only recommend a crown for you if you don’t have tooth infections or gum disease. You also need enough of your tooth structure left for a crown. Dr. Reece will examine your teeth and help you determine if you’re a good candidate for tooth crowns.
The Dental Crown Process in Cary, NC
Getting a crown takes two office visits over a few weeks. During your treatment, Dr. Reece focuses on your comfort and the fit of the final restoration for the best results possible.
Exam
At your first visit, Dr. Reece examines your teeth, gums, and jaw to see if a crown is the right option. If it is, she creates a treatment plan. Our staff helps schedule your appointments and answers any questions about dental insurance and payments.
Preparation and Impressions
At your first treatment visit, Dr. Reece prepares the tooth by removing any old crowns or fillings and any decay. She also removes a small amount of enamel to make room for the crown.
Next, she takes impressions of your teeth to make a temporary crown and to send to the dental lab. The lab uses the impressions to create your custom permanent crown.
Temporary Crown Placement
While you wait for your permanent crown, a temporary crown protects the tooth. Since the temporary isn’t as strong as the final crown, be careful when eating until your permanent crown is ready. If you have questions between visits, our team is here to help.
Permanent Crown Placement
After two or three weeks, you return to our Cary dental office for your permanent crown. Dr. Reece checks the fit and appearance, and once you’re both happy with the result, she bonds the crown to your tooth and polishes it. You’ll leave feeling confident and proud of your restored smile.
Before and After Crown Treatment
Dental Crown FAQs
Are you interested in crowns but want to know more? Read answers to common questions about dental crown treatment in Cary.
How do I clean my dental crown?
Clean it like you clean your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and regular toothpaste. Floss once a day, and pay extra attention to the edge where the crown meets your gum because that’s where plaque likes to build up.
A water flosser or interdental brush can help if flossing around the crown feels awkward. Avoid very hard bristles, since they can scratch the surface over time.
Keep your regular checkups too. Dr. Reece checks the edges of your crown at every visit to make sure nothing is getting underneath.
Is the dental crown procedure painful?
Getting a dental crown is usually pain-free. Dr. Reece will make sure you’re comfortable, and if needed, sedation options are available. After the procedure, you might feel some mild sensitivity, but this usually goes away in 1 to 3 days.
What should I do if my crown breaks?
If your crown breaks, stay calm. First, check the area gently. If you feel pain, take over-the-counter pain relief, and avoid chewing on that side. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean and soothe the area.
Next, call our office right away for emergency dental care. We’ll guide you on what to do and schedule a visit to check the damage. In some cases, Dr. Reece may be able to reattach the crown, or we’ll create a new one.
Can the tooth under my crown get infected?
Yes. The crown itself can’t decay, but the tooth underneath can still get infected. The most common way is through the edge where the crown meets your gum. If plaque builds up there, bacteria can slip under the crown and start decaying the tooth. A tooth that had a root canal before the crown can also get infected again if a new problem develops at the root tip.
This is why Dr. Reece checks the edges of your crown and the health of the tooth at every visit. Catching a problem early is much simpler than fixing it after it spreads.
Can you replace my old dental crown?
Yes, we can replace your old, discolored, or damaged crown with a new one. If your current crown is causing pain or doesn’t look good, Dr. Reece fix it. She can also suggest other treatments to help improve your smile if needed.
What should I do if my crown falls out?
Though it’s rare, if your crown falls out, don’t try to reattach it yourself. Keep it in a safe place and call our office immediately. Don’t use the tooth or implant until we can see you and fix it. Dr. Reece will reattach the crown or make a new one for you.
Why Dr. Reece’s Training Matters for Your Crown
A crown has to do two things at once. It has to look natural, matching the shade and shape of your other teeth. And it has to fit your bite, because a crown that sits too high or too low causes pain, wear, and premature failure.
Dr. Reece’s residency at the VA Medical Center trained her in both. She restored teeth after root canals, handled failing restorations, and worked with patients whose medical histories made treatment more complex. That experience is why her crowns fit right and hold up over time.
Contact Our Raleigh, NC Area Dental Office
Ready to restore your teeth with dental crowns? Call Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 919-646-6294, or schedule an appointment with Dr. Reece on our website. We’re here to help you with comfortable and complete restorative care in Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding communities.
