Same-Day Crowns in Jasper, AL
A dental crown is one of the most versatile tools in our restorative dentistry toolbox. We can use crowns to repair chipped or fractured teeth, protect decayed or infected teeth, or even replace missing teeth with dental implants. They’re also incredibly reliable, with studies showing a 95% success rate for ceramic crowns after 15 years. At Bivona Family Dentistry, they’re also an extremely fast solution, thanks to our in-house CEREC system. This modern dental technology creates same-day crowns, allowing us to repair your smile in a single visit with minimal wait time.
Understanding Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that we bond to a damaged tooth to restore its functionality and aesthetics while protecting it from further harm. When we use a crown, we’re essentially replacing the damaged enamel.
Crowns are part of many different dental solutions. They can restore a tooth that’s broken, worn, or chipped and protect a tooth that’s just undergone a root canal. They can even serve cosmetic dentistry purposes since we can adjust their shape, size, and color. This personalization allows us to alter the appearance of your teeth to enhance your smile.
We also use crowns to replace missing teeth in two different ways. First, crowns serve as support for a traditional dental bridge. Second, we can attach them to a conventional dental implant or mini dental implant. We place the implant directly into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone to create a strong anchor for the crown. This method offers greater stability, improved functionality, and a more natural solution for replacing missing teeth compared to traditional options.
Crowns can be made from different materials, including composite resin or ceramic, porcelain, or metals such as gold, nickel, and palladium. Each material has pros and cons, but we prefer ceramic crowns at Bivona Family Dentistry because of their durability, aesthetic appeal, and efficient fabrication. Our CEREC system creates affordable same-day ceramic crowns that look and function like natural teeth. Although we can craft them quickly, our crowns can last many years with proper care.
The Dental Crown Process
The process for placing a crown depends on whether you need to repair a damaged tooth or replace a missing one. Generally, the process is pretty simple.
- Treatment Planning: This initial conversation and examination helps us plan your treatment. We’ll take scans or X-rays to evaluate the tooth or plan implant placement. Additionally, our team will review your insurance coverage and help you manage treatment costs.
- Preparation: For a traditional crown, we’ll begin by painlessly removing some enamel to ensure a seamless and comfortable fit. We’ll then use an intraoral camera to take digital photographs of the tooth. These images allow our dedicated laboratory technician to create your custom crown with our advanced technology. Our CEREC machine will mill your crown out of a block of ceramic, which generally takes less than 20 minutes. If we’re also using a dental implant, we’ll create a small hole in your jawbone and securely place the implant into your jawbone. This process is much simpler and less invasive with mini dental implants.
- Placement: Once the crown is complete and the target tooth or implant is ready, we’ll carefully bond the crown to your existing tooth or load it onto the implant while you’re still numb. After it’s in place, we’ll ensure the crown fits and functions properly before polishing it. At the end of your visit, you’ll walk out the door with a fully restored tooth!
After the procedure, you might feel some minor discomfort or need time to adjust, but this should pass quickly and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. You’ll soon notice that your new tooth functions just like your natural teeth.
How We Create Same-Day Crowns
Most dental practices send a mold of your teeth to an off-site dental lab, where lab technicians will create your crown over a few weeks. However, at Bivona Family Dentistry, our CEREC machine eliminates that need, making your crown right here in minutes. CEREC stands for Chariside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. It combines 3D imaging and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/manufacturing) technology to create custom crowns efficiently and affordably.
We use an intraoral camera to generate digital images of your mouth. Our expert lab technician then manipulates the 3D model of your tooth to design your custom crown. Once the design is ready, we’ll place a ceramic block—carefully matched to your natural tooth color—into the CEREC machine. The CEREC computer uses the digital model to craft a crown that matches the rest of your teeth and fits you perfectly. Afterward, we fit, cement, and polish the crown, completing the same-day crown process.
Repair Your Tooth in Just One Visit
If you need to replace, repair, or protect a lost or damaged tooth, a ceramic crown from Bivona Family Dentistry offers a versatile solution. With our in-house CEREC technology and modern innovations like mini dental implants, we can quickly restore your smile with dental crowns. Call us to schedule a consultation and learn how same-day crowns can bring your smile back to its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Our same-day crowns are made from high-quality ceramic, a material known for its natural appearance, affordability, and durability. With proper care and routine dental checkups, these crowns can last for decades. At Bivona Family Dentistry, we offer the added convenience of creating and fitting your crown in just one appointment, thanks to our in-office CEREC machine. This efficiency is especially beneficial for busy patients or those in pain, providing quick relief with minimal disruption to your schedule.
Insurance often covers a significant portion of the cost of a dental crown, sometimes up to 50% or more, and in some cases, the entire cost. At Bivona Family Dentistry, our billing experts work diligently to ensure you receive maximum coverage. We use advanced technology, like 3D scans and intraoral photos, to provide your insurance provider with detailed documentation, including clear explanations of why the crown is necessary. Ultimately, our goal is to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses and prevent any unexpected costs.
Yes, you can eat after you get a crown, but we recommend waiting until you are no longer numb to avoid accidentally injuring yourself. You should also avoid hard or sticky foods for at least 24 hours as the crown settles. If you are experiencing any sensitivity, try chewing on the opposite side of your mouth and stick to softer foods as you get used to the new crown.