Not every tooth that needs a crown hurts. Some have a hairline crack you only notice when you chew, others sit behind a large filling that has slowly outlived its usefulness, and a few are front teeth where appearance matters as much as strength.
Charlotte Dental Arts provides same-day crowns and bridges made with CEREC technology to Carmel Commons patients, from our office at 3135 Springbank Lane, about 8 minutes away. Our dentist near Carmel Commons 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.
Front Teeth and Back Teeth Need Different Things
Back teeth handle the heaviest chewing, so strength comes first. Front teeth are the ones people see, so shade, shape, and size matter just as much. A good crown plan accounts for both, and it starts with where the tooth sits in your mouth and how you use it.
Dr. Lowe’s aesthetic dentistry training informs how a crown is matched to the teeth beside it, and Dr. Porter has completed thousands of CEREC restorations.
Signs a Tooth May Need a Crown
These are common reasons to have a tooth looked at:
Only an exam can confirm what a tooth needs. Your dentist reviews digital images, explains what is happening, and tells you whether a crown or a simpler repair makes sense before anything is scheduled.
How the Same-Day Process Works
After your dentist prepares the tooth, a digital scan replaces the impression trays many people dread. Software designs a crown for your bite, and our in-office milling unit shapes it from porcelain or ceramic while you wait.
Your dentist then checks the fit and color, polishes the crown, and bonds it in place. In many cases there is no temporary to protect and no second appointment to schedule.
| 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 |
Choosing the Right Material
Crowns can be made from several materials, and each has trade-offs in strength, appearance, and cost. The American Dental Association’s overview of materials for indirect restorations describes metals, ceramics, resin composites, and combinations, and notes that the choice depends on the clinical situation.
Our CEREC crowns are milled from porcelain or ceramic. If a different material or approach would serve your tooth better, your dentist tells you before treatment begins.
Close Enough to Make a Crown Visit Simple
The office is about 8 minutes from Carmel Commons, though traffic can change that, and our first appointments start at 7am Monday through Thursday. If your dentist wants to see the crown again after it is placed, a short drive makes that follow-up easy to fit in.
Insurance and Payment for Carmel Commons Crowns
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 before treatment is scheduled. CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed financing are available, 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 Carmel Commons
Can a crown on a front tooth look natural?
Shade, shape, and size are planned to blend with the neighboring teeth, with input from Dr. Lowe’s aesthetic dentistry training, and the crown is milled from porcelain or ceramic. Your dentist checks the fit and color before the crown is bonded.
Does pain when I bite mean I need a crown?
Pain when you bite can point to a crack, but it can also come from decay or gum problems. An exam and digital images show what is going on, and your dentist explains whether a crown or a simpler repair fits.
How many visits does a crown take?
For many cases, one, because the crown is designed and milled in our office. If your tooth needs other treatment first, your dentist explains why before treatment begins.
What should I do if my crown comes off?
Call our office the same day, keep the crown somewhere safe, and avoid chewing on that side. Our team will tell you how soon to come in, and you can read more about our emergency dentistry visits.
Will insurance help with the cost of a crown?
Charlotte Dental Arts is out-of-network with dental insurance plans, and our team helps you use your out-of-network benefits. Financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed is available, and the Premier Dental Savings Program is an option if you are uninsured.
Book Your Carmel Commons Crown Consultation With Charlotte Dental Arts
Dr. Porter founded Charlotte Dental Arts in 1996, and our team has completed thousands of CEREC restorations. Carmel Commons patients are about 8 minutes from an office where crowns are designed, milled, and placed under one roof.
Want to know whether a crown is right for your tooth? Contact Charlotte Dental Arts to book a complimentary consultation, and our team will find a time that works.
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