Dental Crowns in Summerville, SC

A tooth with a large cavity, a crack, or a worn-down edge is a tooth at risk. Each time you bite, the weakened area takes more stress, and a problem that could be fixed with a crown today can become a split tooth or an extraction later. For many people, the real reason they put off a crown is the traditional process of two appointments, a messy impression, and weeks in a temporary crown.

At Old Trolley Dental Associates, most crowns are designed, milled, and placed in a single visit as part of our restorative dentistry in Summerville, SC. Dr. Scott Kibler has practiced in Summerville since 2006 and spends many hours each year in continuing education, including the Seattle Study Club. Dr. Michael Skovira completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, with training in complex restorative care. Every crown in our office is planned and placed by one of our two doctors.

What a Dental Crown Is and When You Need One

A crown is a custom, tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth above the gumline. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, and strength while protecting what is left of the natural tooth underneath. According to the American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy resource, crowns are used to strengthen teeth with large fillings, protect weak teeth from breaking, restore broken teeth, cover discolored or misshapen teeth, and cap dental implants.

You may be a candidate for a crown if you have one of the following.

If a filling will not be strong enough, a crown is often the step that saves the tooth from extraction.

Same-Day Crowns With CEREC Technology

The traditional crown process requires two appointments because the crown is made by an outside dental lab, which can take one to three weeks. In between, you wear a temporary crown that can loosen or break. With our in-office CEREC system, that wait is gone for most patients. Learn more about the technology on our same-day CEREC crowns page.

Same-day crowns are not the right fit for every tooth. Dr. Kibler or Dr. Skovira will let you know if your situation calls for a different approach.

What to Expect at Your Crown Appointment

A same-day crown visit is longer than a routine appointment because it combines two visits into one. Plan on spending part of a morning or afternoon with us.

Once the numbness wears off, you can usually eat normally. Some mild gum soreness or temperature sensitivity for a few days is common and typically fades on its own. For patients who feel uneasy about dental procedures, ask us about sedation dentistry options to help the appointment feel more manageable.

Crown Materials and How They Compare

Crowns can be made from several materials, and each has tradeoffs in strength and appearance. Same-day CEREC crowns are milled from high-strength ceramic, which is tooth-colored, durable, and free of metal. Other common materials include zirconia, a very strong ceramic often used on back teeth, porcelain fused to metal, which has a metal base under a porcelain surface, and gold alloys, which are very durable but noticeable. We will recommend the material that fits the location of the tooth, your bite, and your goals.

How Long Dental Crowns Last and How to Care for Them

With good care, many crowns last 10 to 15 years, and often longer. The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath still can, especially where the crown meets the gumline. To protect your investment:

• Brush twice a day and floss or use interdental cleaners daily, paying attention to the gumline around the crown
• Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, pens, or fingernails
• Wear a night guard if you clench or grind your teeth
• Keep your regular cleanings and exams so we can check the crown’s edges

If a crown ever feels loose, rough, or high when you bite, call us so we can check it before a small problem grows.

Dental Crown Cost and Insurance

The cost of a crown depends on the tooth, the material, and whether other treatment, such as a root canal or core buildup, is needed first. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of crowns when they are needed to restore a damaged tooth. We accept many PPO plans, including Aetna, Ameritas, Cigna, Delta Dental PPO, Guardian, United Concordia, and UnitedHealthcare, and we will give you a cost estimate before treatment. Our financing options, including CareCredit, Cherry, and an in-house membership plan, can help spread the cost over time.

What to Do If Your Crown Comes Off or Breaks

Keep the crown in a safe place, such as a small bag or container, and bring it to your appointment. Gently clean the tooth and avoid chewing on that side, since the tooth underneath may be sensitive or fragile. Do not use superglue or household adhesives to reattach it. Over-the-counter dental cement from a pharmacy can hold a crown temporarily if you cannot be seen right away. Then call our office so we can check whether the crown can be recemented or needs to be replaced. For urgent problems or pain, call 843-960-0389.

Dental Crown FAQs

Here are answers to the questions patients ask us most often about dental crowns.

Get Your Dental Crown at Old Trolley Dental Associates

Dr. Scott Kibler and Dr. Michael Skovira combine decades of experience, advanced training through the Medical University of South Carolina, and in-office CEREC technology to deliver durable, natural-looking crowns, often in a single visit. Our Summerville practice has earned over 1000 five-star reviews, and you will see one of our two doctors at every step. You can meet our doctors before your appointment.

If you have been told you need a crown, or a tooth has been bothering you, we can evaluate it and often complete treatment the same day. Contact Old Trolley Dental Associates or call 843-376-6929 to schedule your crown consultation in Summerville, SC.