If you have a severely chipped or cracked tooth, Gwaltney Dental is here with restorative dentistry treatments to help your smile. Severe chips and cracks may cause chewing discomfort and dental decay if left untreated. It’s important to see a dentist right away if you experience tooth damage or decay.
When you visit our office with a dental health concern, our goal is to help you restore your smile using the best treatment options possible. Some teeth, if damaged extensively, may require more extensive care like a total tooth extraction. In these cases, the tooth has to be completely replaced using alternatives like dental implants.
However, we know how important it is to save natural tooth structure for the integrity of your bite. This is why we utilize dental crowns whenever possible. Teeth crowns help patients enjoy a restored smile without having to extract a tooth.
Using advanced digital technology we may offer a same-day dental crown. This enables patients to have a tooth restored in a single visit. Your dentist will make the most appropriate recommendation based on your oral health condition, aesthetic needs, and budget.
Dental Crowns in Suffolk, VA
Dr. Steve Gwaltney, Dr. J.Ryland Gwaltney, and Dr. Whitney Gwaltney are highly-trained restorative dentists in Suffolk, VA. They have helped many patients restore their smiles following dental damages using dental crowns. Dental crowns are porcelain caps designed to replace the entire exterior of your tooth.
If a tooth is severely damaged, we will file it down to its foundational core to prepare for a dental crown. This allows you to maintain tooth-root functionality for your restoration. Then, the dental crown will be placed over the tooth’s foundational core. It will functionally replace your damaged tooth while also protecting the core of the tooth from further damage.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Our office provides same-day dental crowns using CEREC technology. Traditional dental crowns often require multiple visits to complete the crown process. Multiple dental impressions have to be taken. Then the impressions have to be sent to a dental lab where the crown is made. A temporary crown has to be placed on the tooth to protect it. Finally, the permanent crown is returned to our office about two weeks later.
However, with our CEREC technology, we are able to take optical impressions, design, and create your custom crown in our office within a single appointment. This is much more convenient for patients and allows them to leave our office with a fully restored smile following experiencing dental damages.
CEREC crowns are designed to look like your natural tooth and blend in with your smile. This allows you to maintain the natural appearance of your smile so you can face the world with confidence.
Dental Crown FAQ’s
What to expect after getting a dental crown?
The healing period after the placement of a dental crown is normally a few days. Inflammation, sensitivity, and irritation are all possible adverse effects of the surgery, but they should go away after a week or two at the most. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day can help minimize swelling.
How long before you can chew on a new crown?
Once the new crown has been put in place, you should wait at least 1 hour before eating anything. You should wait at least 24 to 36 hours before eating anything spicy, sticky, or chewy. Stay away from nuts, chips, bagels, and anything else crunchy. These are more likely to cause sensitivity and damage to the crown.
How long after a crown is cemented can I drink?
Sticky foods and drinks should be avoided for the first 24 hours after getting a permanent crown. After that, you can resume your normal dental hygiene and diet.
Should there be a gap between my crown and gum?
A sign that your crown no longer fits is the appearance of space between the gums and the restoration. Infection brought on by neglectful dental care is a common cause of gum recession. As plaque and food particles become trapped in the gap, harmful bacteria grow.
Request A Dental Exam Today
If you have suffered from dental damages, there is no time like the present to call our office and schedule your CEREC same-day dental crown appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.