A tooth can crack on something as ordinary as a crusty piece of bread, and the first sign is often a quick, sharp twinge when you bite down and let go. A cracked or worn tooth rarely heals on its own, which is why a dentist looks at it sooner rather than later.
Charlotte Dental Arts offers same-day crowns and bridges made with CEREC technology to Barclay Downs patients, from our office at 3135 Springbank Lane, about 21 minutes away. Our dentist near Barclay Downs page introduces Dr. Edwin Porter, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and Dr. Robert Lowe, a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry.
When a Tooth Needs More Than a Filling in Barclay Downs
A crown is a custom cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Dentists generally consider one when a tooth cannot hold up on its own, for example:
Only an exam can confirm what a tooth needs. Your dentist looks at the tooth, reviews digital images, and explains whether a crown or a simpler repair makes sense before anything is scheduled.
How a Same-Day Crown Works for Barclay Downs Patients
A traditional crown usually takes two appointments with a temporary in between. With CEREC, the whole process happens in our office. A scanner captures the prepared tooth, software designs a crown to fit your bite, and our milling unit shapes it from ceramic while you wait.
Your dentist then polishes the crown, checks the fit and color, and bonds it in place. Digital scans take the place of impression trays, and in many cases there is no temporary to look after between visits.
| CEREC crown | Traditional crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointments | One visit in many cases | Usually two |
| Temporary crown | In many cases none | Usually one between visits |
| Impressions | Digital scan | Impression trays |
Replacing an Older Crown for Barclay Downs Patients
Crowns do not last forever. If one of yours is loose, chipped, or worn through, or the gum around it looks darker or more tender than before, have it checked. Decay can start at the edge of a crown, where it is hard to see.
The American Dental Association’s overview of materials for indirect restorations notes that crowns can be made from several kinds of materials and that the best choice depends on the situation. Your dentist talks through the options with you.
Choosing a Crown Shade and Shape for a Barclay Downs Smile
A new crown should look like it has always belonged in your smile. Shade, shape, and size are planned to blend with the teeth beside it, with input from Dr. Lowe’s aesthetic dentistry training.
Dr. Porter has completed thousands of CEREC restorations, and he keeps training at the Pankey Institute, Dawson Academy, and Spear Education. If a different treatment would serve the tooth better, your dentist tells you before treatment begins.
Fitting a Crown Into Your Week Near Barclay Downs
Our first appointments start at 7am Monday through Thursday, and the office is about 21 minutes from Barclay Downs, though traffic can change that. For many crowns, one visit replaces the back-and-forth of two, so there is only one drive to plan around.
Charlotte Dental Arts is out-of-network with dental insurance plans, and our team helps you use your out-of-network benefits. Financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed, and the Premier Dental Savings Program is an option if you are uninsured. Our insurance and financing page has the details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns Near Barclay Downs
Can a cracked tooth be saved with a crown?
Often a crown can protect a tooth with a crack, depending on where the crack runs and how deep it goes. Your dentist examines the tooth, reviews digital images, and explains whether a crown makes sense or whether another plan is better.
Can you replace a crown that another dentist placed?
Yes. Your dentist examines the existing crown, the tooth underneath, and the surrounding gums, then explains whether replacement makes sense and what material and timing would suit you.
Will I leave with a temporary crown?
For many cases, no. Because the crown is designed and milled in our office with CEREC technology, it can often be bonded in the same visit. If your tooth needs a different plan, your dentist explains why before treatment begins.
Is it worth driving from Barclay Downs for a same-day crown?
The office is about 21 minutes from Barclay Downs depending on traffic. Because many crowns are finished in a single visit, you can make one trip instead of two, and our first appointments start at 7am Monday through Thursday.
Will my insurance help with a crown at your office?
Charlotte Dental Arts is out-of-network with dental insurance plans, and our team helps you use your out-of-network benefits. We go over timing and costs with you before treatment is scheduled, and financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed.
Schedule Your Barclay Downs Crown Visit With Charlotte Dental Arts
Dr. Porter founded Charlotte Dental Arts in 1996, and our team has completed thousands of CEREC restorations. Barclay Downs patients can have a crown designed, milled, and placed in one office, with a clear plan and costs explained before treatment.
Have a tooth that needs a second look? Contact Charlotte Dental Arts to book a complimentary consultation, and we will find a time that suits your week.
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