Dental Crowns Indianapolis, IN

Do you have severely stained teeth? Maybe you want to strengthen a weak tooth after a root canal. Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht offers dental crowns in Indianapolis, IN, as a restorative dental treatment. He uses dental crowns to address damaged, misshapen, worn-down, and discolored teeth.

Crowns can also cover dental implants or hold dental bridges in place. A tooth crown can make a broken tooth look like a natural tooth again. At North Meridian Dental Excellence, we provide long-term solutions for tooth damage. Visit our dental office for all your dental crown needs.

Dental Crowns in Indianapolis, IN

A dental crown is a fixed dental restoration. It will cover the entire tooth like a cap. Your dentist will permanently bond it into place after preparing the tooth. To prepare the tooth, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth. Then, he will remove any old crowns, fillings, decay, or damage from the tooth. He will significantly reduce the size of the tooth, leaving behind enough to secure the crown.

Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht can make a dental crown from sturdy porcelain ceramic material. Our same-day crowns strengthen weak teeth and blend in with your other teeth. Dental crowns are custom fit to each patient.

Best of all, we can typically complete yours in one visit using CEREC technology. CEREC crowns are just as strong and last decades with the right care. Dr. Ahlbrecht also places traditional ceramic and gold crowns depending on your needs and aesthetic goals.

Restore Your Smile in One Visit with CEREC® Same-Day Crowns

When a tooth is cracked, weakened, or badly worn, waiting several weeks for a permanent crown isn’t always ideal. CEREC® technology makes it possible for many patients to receive a custom dental crown during a single appointment. After examining your tooth and discussing your treatment goals, our dentists can determine whether a same-day crown is the right choice for your situation.

The process begins with a digital scan of your tooth. Instead of using traditional impression trays and putty, we capture detailed images that allow us to create a precise digital model of your smile. Using this information, we design a crown that is shaped to fit your bite and match the color of your surrounding teeth. Once the design is complete, an in-office milling machine carves your crown from a strong ceramic block. Before you leave, we’ll check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and permanently bond the crown into place.

For many patients, this approach eliminates the need for a temporary crown and a second appointment. That can make treatment more convenient, especially for those with busy schedules. Even so, same-day crowns aren’t the best solution for every case. Some teeth require a laboratory-made restoration because of their location, the amount of damage, or other clinical factors. We’ll explain your options and recommend the treatment that offers the best long-term outcome for your smile.

CEREC crowns are made from durable ceramic materials that closely resemble natural tooth enamel. They can restore a tooth that has been weakened by a large cavity, a fracture, or extensive wear. They are also commonly placed after root canal treatment to help protect the remaining tooth structure. Beyond restoring strength, a well-made crown should feel comfortable and blend naturally with the rest of your smile.

Dental Crowns vs. Fillings: Understanding the Difference

Dental crowns and fillings are both used to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay or injury, but they aren’t interchangeable. The right treatment depends on the extent of the damage and how much healthy tooth structure remains.

A filling repairs a small area of a tooth after decay has been removed. Because it replaces only the damaged portion, it allows more of the natural tooth to stay intact. Fillings are often recommended for smaller cavities or minor chips that haven’t weakened the tooth.

A crown is designed to cover the entire visible portion of a tooth. It may be recommended when a tooth has a large cavity, a significant crack, extensive wear, or a large existing filling that no longer provides enough support. Crowns are also commonly placed after root canal treatment to help protect the tooth from further damage.

Whenever possible, our goal is to preserve your natural tooth structure. If a filling can restore your tooth while maintaining its strength, that may be the most conservative option. If the tooth is no longer strong enough to support a filling, a crown may provide better long-term protection and function.

During your visit, our dentists will examine the tooth, review digital X-rays, and discuss your treatment options with you. We’ll explain why we recommend a filling or a crown and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision about your oral health.

The Uses of Dental Crowns

One of the best things about dental crowns is their versatility. Not only do they treat restorative dental concerns, but they can also fix cosmetic problems as well.

Cosmetic Fixes

Usually, we brighten stained teeth with professional whitening. But some stains don’t go away with bleaching. Especially deep stains inside the tooth or discoloration from injuries. That’s where dental crowns come in. We match the crown to your ideal shade of white, then place it over your tooth to completely cover any discoloration.

Crowns also work great for teeth that are oddly shaped or don’t look right. While many patients want these fixed for cosmetic reasons, misshapen teeth can actually cause problems too. We design crowns to blend perfectly with your natural teeth, so they look good and work properly.

Strengthening Natural Teeth

Dental crowns are primarily used to protect a tooth after a root canal. During a root canal, we clean out the infected part inside your tooth and fill the space with a safe material. A crown then covers the tooth to keep it strong and working like normal, while also protecting it from future damage.

Crowns also help when you’re getting a dental bridge to replace missing teeth. Normally, bridges rest on your natural teeth, which can wear them down over time. But if we put crowns on these supporting teeth first, the crowns take all the pressure instead. This keeps your real teeth safe and helps your bridge last longer.

Salvaging Natural Tooth Structure

At our office, we practice conservative dentistry. We want to save as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Without the natural tooth root, you can suffer many negative effects. Dental crowns are often the last line of defense we use to achieve this. A crown replaces the parts of the tooth that were too decayed to save, giving you a stable restoration.

They also help restore teeth where a large piece have broken off. A break exposes dental nerves and pulp, the sensitive inner layers of the tooth. When you’re eating, certain foods and beverages coming into contact with this can be very painful. The crown protects this sensitive tissue and minimizes pain.

Completing a Dental Implant

Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement for many reasons. They bring many benefits that other restorations don’t. This includes their natural look and feel. One of the main reasons for this is that a custom dental crown is the perfect finishing touch for an implant.

The custom CEREC crown will look just like the rest of your teeth, matching size, shade, and shape. It will be almost impossible to tell that it isn’t a real tooth.