Restorative · Since 1987
Dental Crowns in Wilmington, NC
A crown covers a tooth that has lost too much structure to hold a filling. It is what keeps a cracked or heavily restored tooth in your mouth.
About crowns
Teeth that have been filled and refilled over decades eventually run out of enamel to grip. A crown wraps the whole tooth and puts the chewing forces back through the root instead of through a fracture line.
We use porcelain and zirconia for most cases because they match adjacent teeth and hold up to real biting force. Gold is still the most durable option and we will offer it where it makes sense.
How it works
- Exam and x-rayWe confirm the tooth is restorable and the nerve is healthy.
- PreparationThe tooth is shaped, we take a digital scan, and a temporary crown goes on.
- Lab fabricationThe permanent crown is built to your bite and shade.
- Fit and cementWe check contacts and bite, adjust, then cement it.
Recovery and aftercare
Sensitivity to cold for a week or two is normal. Floss it, do not skip it, because the margin at the gum is where a crowned tooth fails. Come to your cleanings and we will watch that margin for you.
Cost and coverage
Most dental plans cover crowns at a percentage after the deductible, often around half. Cost varies with the material and whether the tooth needs a build-up first. We run the estimate through your benefits before scheduling so the number you hear is the number you pay.
You may be a candidate if
- A cracked tooth, or one that hurts on release when you bite
- A large old filling that keeps breaking away at the edges
- A tooth that has had a root canal
- A worn-down back tooth that no longer meets its opposite
- A front tooth that needs both strength and appearance
Dental Crowns by town
We see patients from across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Carter Lee
Dr. Lee on fixing only what needs fixing, and what it is like to hand a patient the mirror after a smile transformation.
Questions we get asked
How long does a crown last?
Ten to fifteen years is typical and many last longer. The tooth underneath usually decides, not the crown.
Will it look like my other teeth?
Modern porcelain and zirconia match well. For front teeth we take shade photographs and involve the lab directly.
Do I need a root canal before a crown?
Only if the nerve is already damaged or dying. Plenty of crowns go on teeth with perfectly healthy nerves.
My temporary crown came off. Is that an emergency?
Call us and we will get you in. Keep the temporary if you can, avoid chewing on that side, and do not leave the prepared tooth uncovered for long.
Crown or extraction and implant?
If there is enough healthy tooth left to hold a crown, saving it is almost always the better call. When the tooth is split below the gum, it is not.
Dental Crowns
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
