Dental Crowns – Louisville, KY

Fixing Damaged Teeth Right Away

Teeth are constantly working day in and day out. Every time you chew, bite, talk, clench your jaw, or grind your teeth, your enamel wears down just a little bit. Add an over-aggressive toothbrushing, chewing on hard objects, eating a highly acidic or sweet diet, or playing sports without a mouthguard, and you might find yourself with a broken or cracked tooth in no time. Fortunately, Dr. Stephen Remmers and the rest of our team here at Remmers Dental are in the business of fixing damaged teeth right away with beautiful and durable dental crowns in Louisville. Read on to learn more and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today if you have a weakened, broken, decayed, or cracked tooth!

Why Choose Remmers Dental For Dental Crowns?

  • Same-Day CEREC Crowns Available
  • Dr. Remmers Has Over 3 Decades of Experience
  • High-Quality Materials for Seamless & Durable Results

What Is a Dental Crown?

Digital illustration of a dental crown in Louisville

The “crown” of your tooth is the white part above your gums that you see when you smile. Unlike other parts of your body, your teeth can’t repair themselves. Professional attention is needed if a tooth becomes weakened or cracked, otherwise the issue will continue to get worse over time.

A “dental crown” is a commonly used restoration. It looks like a tooth-shaped cap that’s designed to fit perfectly over the top of a tooth. It encapsulates the entire visible portion of the tooth, holding it together to restore its function and appearance. Not only will it allow you to continue using the tooth without further damaging it, but it will help protect the vulnerable tooth from future decay and infections.

Dental crowns can be an excellent solution for a few dental concerns, including:

  • Extensive tooth decay or large fillings
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • Teeth that have recently been repaired with a root canal

The Process of Getting a Dental Crown

Louisville dentist holding a dental crown in Louisville over model jaw

In most cases, getting a traditional dental crown takes about two appointments. However, at Remmers Dental, our dentists use the advanced CEREC same-day restoration system to provide patients with strong and natural-looking crowns in just one appointment! Traditional dental crowns require two visits—one to prepare the tooth and set a temporary crown and the second to bond the permanent crown. With CEREC’s digital camera, computer software and milling unit, we can design, build, and place a porcelain crown in just a matter of a couple of hours.

First, we’ll clean and inspect the damaged tooth, removing a small amount of enamel to make room for the dental crown. Then we’ll take digital impressions of the area and send that information to our CEREC software. This technology will then use the data collected to create a custom dental crown that our dentists will then adjust to ensure optimal results. From there, this blueprint is sent to our in-house milling unit, which will fabricate your custom dental crown while you wait in our comfortable office.

Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

Young woman admiring her new same-day dental crown in Louisville

Dental crowns are one of the most commonly used restorations in dentistry, and it’s easy to see why! They offer unique benefits like:

  • Versatility: Dental crowns can be used to address a wide variety of issues.
  • Restores function: A dental crown will allow you to chew, talk, and go about your day without any discomfort and without any further damage to the tooth.
  • Prevent future issues: In most cases, a dental crown can help patients avoid painful and costly complications, such as irreparably broken or infected teeth.
  • Lifelike appearance: Dental crowns are made of dental porcelain, which is virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel. In some cases, dental crowns can be used to cosmetically improve flawed teeth.

Dental Crown FAQs

Two dental crowns in Louisville, KY on a blue background

Thanks to high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology, we’re able to provide dental crowns that reliably restore the function of your tooth and enhance the appearance of your grin at the same time. But even if you’re already well aware of the benefits of personalized crowns, you might still have some questions about your upcoming treatment. We’ll gladly address any concerns you have when you visit our office, but in the meantime, check the FAQs below to see if we’ve already listed the answers you’re looking for. ;

Are Dental Crowns Permanent?

Technically, a dental crown is not permanent; sooner or later it will need to be replaced. The average dental crown lasts for somewhere between 5 and 15 years. You can extend the life of your crown by practicing good oral hygiene, wearing a mouthguard or nightguard to protect it from damage, and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

 

Remember that while the crown itself may not be permanent, the procedure for getting one is. The enamel removed to make room for the crown won’t grow back, so the tooth will always need to have a restoration of some kind protecting it.

Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?

Dental crowns can’t develop cavities, but the teeth underneath them still have the same risk of decay as the rest of your smile. If plaque and tartar form around the gumline where the crown meets the tooth, bacteria might slip under the restoration and attack the enamel.

 

You can keep your crowned teeth safe by brushing and flossing at least twice a day to get rid of harmful bacteria before they can do any damage. Make sure to pay close attention to your gumline while brushing, and don’t forget to clean every side of the crown.

Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?

The tooth receiving the crown will be numbed for the preparation phase to keep you as comfortable as possible. We can also offer dental sedation if you’re nervous or anxious about the procedure. After your treatment, you might notice that the tooth is more sensitive than normal. You should be able to manage it with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, and it should eventually fade on its own over time. If the sensitivity seems to be getting worse for whatever reason, call us immediately.

Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?

Most dental insurance plans will cover at least part of the cost of a dental crown as long as it’s medically necessary. Usually, you can expect your insurance company to pay about 50% of the cost of the crown after you’ve met your deductible for the year. If for any reason your insurance does not provide adequate coverage for a crown, we can help you apply for third-party financing through CareCredit. You can break up the cost of your care across several months, which can make it less stressful to pay. Give our team a call if you have any questions about insurance or financing.