Dental Crowns in Ladson, SC
When a tooth has lost too much structure for a filling, a crown covers and holds the whole thing together.
When a filling is not enough
A crown holds a weakened tooth together
A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. Where a filling replaces missing material inside a tooth, a crown surrounds what remains and binds it, which is what a tooth needs once a significant proportion of its structure has been lost.
The reason this matters is mechanical. A large filling sits like a wedge inside the tooth, and every bite drives it slightly outward against the remaining walls. Past a certain size, that eventually splits the tooth. A crown reverses the force, holding the walls together rather than pushing them apart.
Crowns are also standard after root canal therapy on back teeth. A root treated tooth has lost its blood supply and its internal access has been hollowed out, which makes it considerably more brittle than it looks.
Indications
When Dr. Mathew will recommend a crown
- A tooth that is cracked, or that hurts sharply on releasing a bite
- A tooth with a filling so large there is little natural structure left holding it
- A back tooth after root canal therapy, which is standard practice
- A tooth with a substantial piece broken off
- Severe wear from grinding that has shortened the tooth and exposed dentine
- A dental implant, where the crown is the visible part fitted on top
- An anchor tooth on either side of a bridge
The process
Two visits, roughly two to three weeks apart
Preparation
The tooth is numbed and reshaped so the crown has room to sit without making the tooth bulkier than it was. Any decay is removed.
Impression
A digital scan or impression captures the tooth and the way your bite meets, and goes to the lab that fabricates the crown.
Temporary crown
A temporary protects the tooth in the meantime. It is deliberately less strongly cemented, so avoid very sticky foods on that side.
Fitting
The permanent crown is checked for fit, contact with neighbouring teeth, shade and bite, adjusted as needed, then cemented.
Common questions
Questions we hear most
How long does a crown last?
Commonly ten to fifteen years, often longer. The crown material itself rarely fails. What usually ends a crown's life is decay at the margin where it meets the tooth, which is why flossing around a crown matters as much as around a natural tooth.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No, the tooth is numbed throughout. Afterwards some sensitivity for a few days is normal, especially to cold. If you get pain when biting once the crown is cemented, call us, because the bite likely needs a small adjustment and that is quick to fix.
What are crowns made of?
We primarily use porcelain and porcelain-based ceramics for appearance, particularly on visible teeth. Zirconia is used where strength is the priority, such as on molars or for heavy grinders. Dr. Mathew will recommend the material based on the tooth's position and your bite.
Can I get a crown in one day?
Our crowns are lab-fabricated, which takes two visits over roughly two to three weeks with a temporary in between. Lab work allows more control over shade layering and fit, which matters most on front teeth.
Crown or veneer?
A veneer covers only the front surface and is for cosmetic change on a structurally sound tooth. A crown surrounds the whole tooth and is for a tooth that has lost structural integrity. If the tooth is cracked or heavily filled, a veneer is not the right answer regardless of appearance goals.
Does insurance cover crowns?
Most plans cover crowns at a percentage when there is documented structural need, though many have waiting periods and annual maximums. Purely cosmetic crowns are generally not covered. We verify and give you the figure in writing before starting.
Ready when you are
Book a restorative consultation
You will leave knowing what it costs and what your options are, in writing.