Restore Damaged or Weakened Teeth with Dental Crowns Near You
Imagine smiling in the mirror and feeling proud of what you see: no cracks, no chips, just a strong, radiant smile that lights up the room. If a damaged or imperfect tooth is holding you back, dental crowns can be your ticket to a confident, carefree smile. At Stovall Dental, we know how much a healthy smile means to you, and we’re here to make it happen with personalized care and expert craftsmanship. Whether you’re tired of hiding your smile or want to protect a weakened tooth, dental crowns offer a lasting solution that’s as beautiful as it is functional.
To schedule an appointment with our Goldsboro dentist, call 919-735-3431 today.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Think of it as a protective shield, giving your tooth a fresh start while blending perfectly with your natural smile.
Crowns are used to:
- Protect weak or cracked teeth
- Restore broken or severely worn teeth
- Cover discolored or misshapen teeth
- Support teeth with large dental fillings
- Top a tooth after root canal therapy
- Anchor dental bridges
- Complete dental implants
Crowns aren’t one-size-fits-all, either. Depending on your goals, budget, and the location of the tooth, your dentist may recommend an all-ceramic crown, a full metal crown, or a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown. PFM crowns are a popular option that blends the strength of metal with the natural look of porcelain. We’ll cover PFM crowns in more detail below.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth (called a pontic) to the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap. Unlike a removable partial denture, a bridge stays firmly in place, functioning and feeling much like your natural teeth.
Bridges are typically recommended to:
- Fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth
- Restore your ability to chew and speak properly
- Prevent shifting of surrounding teeth
- Maintain your natural facial shape
- Distribute bite forces evenly by replacing missing teeth
Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Protection — Shields weak or damaged teeth from further decay or breakage.
- Restoration — Brings back the function and appearance of a damaged tooth.
- Durability — Strong enough to last many years with proper care.
- Versatility — Works for everything from a broken tooth to covering a dental implant.
- Aesthetics — Can be matched to the color and shape of your natural teeth for a seamless result.
If you’re wondering how dental crowns may benefit you, contact our Goldsboro, NC dentist near you today at 919-735-3431 to schedule your next appointment.
A Closer Look: Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
Among the crown materials available, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns remain one of the most popular for good reason. A PFM crown consists of a metal substructure, typically an alloy containing gold, nickel, or chromium, with a layer of tooth-colored porcelain fused over top. The result is a restoration that combines the resilience of metal with an appearance that mimics a natural tooth.
Benefits of PFM Crowns
- Aesthetic Appeal — The porcelain layer can be shaded to match your surrounding teeth for a seamless blend.
- Strength and Durability — The metal core stands up well to the everyday forces of biting and chewing.
- Versatility — Effective for decay, cracks, fractures, and discoloration.
- Longevity — With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, PFM crowns commonly last 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer.
- Stability and Fit — The metal substructure helps the crown stay securely in place.
Drawbacks to Consider
No material is perfect for every situation, and PFM crowns have a few trade-offs worth knowing:
- Metal Visibility — A thin dark line can sometimes become visible at the gumline, particularly for people with thinner or receding gums.
- Slightly Less Translucency — PFM crowns look natural, but they don’t quite match the light-reflecting quality of all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns.
- Tooth Preparation — As with most crowns, some healthy tooth structure must be removed to make room for the restoration.
- Wear Over Time — The porcelain layer can wear gradually, which may subtly affect appearance or bite alignment.
- Rare Allergic Reactions — Occasionally, patients may react to the metals in the substructure.
Your dentist can help you weigh these factors against your specific tooth, smile goals, and budget during your consultation.
Now Offering: Same-Day Crowns
We’re excited to now offer same-day crowns, giving patients a faster path to a fully restored tooth, often in a single visit.
Traditional crowns, including PFM crowns, require a temporary crown while your permanent restoration is fabricated at an outside dental lab, typically over one to two weeks. Same-day crowns skip that wait. Using advanced digital scanning and in-office milling technology, we can design, create, and place your custom crown in one appointment, with no impressions, no temporary crown, and no second visit required.
How Same-Day Crowns Work
- Digital Scan — Instead of a traditional putty impression, we use a digital scanner to capture a precise 3D image of your prepared tooth.
- In-Office Design — Your crown is designed chairside using the digital scan, allowing for a custom fit and natural appearance.
- On-Site Milling — A milling machine in our office carves your crown from a solid block of ceramic material while you wait.
- Same-Visit Placement — Once milled and finished, your new crown is checked for fit, color, and bite, then cemented into place — all in the same appointment.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
- One Visit — Skip the temporary crown and the follow-up appointment.
- Less Time in the Chair — No need to schedule and attend a second procedure.
- No Temporary Crown — Avoid the extra care instructions and limitations that come with a temporary restoration.
- Precise Digital Fit — Digital scanning can offer a highly accurate impression compared to traditional putty molds.
- Durable, Natural-Looking Material — Same-day crowns are milled from solid ceramic, offering both strength and a tooth-like appearance.
Same-day crowns aren’t the right fit for every case. Your dentist will help determine whether a same-day crown, a PFM crown, or another restoration option best suits your tooth and smile goals. Ask us about same-day crowns at your next visit, or call 919-735-3431 to learn more.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a traditional, lab-fabricated crown generally follows the process below. (If you opt for a same-day crown, this entire process is condensed into a single visit—see the section above.)
1. Consultation and Examination
Dr. Stovall examines your tooth, often with X-rays, discusses your goals, and recommends the best crown material for your situation.
2. Tooth Preparation and Impressions
On your first treatment visit:
- Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable.
- Our Goldsboro dentist reshapes the tooth, removing a small amount of enamel to make room for the crown.
- If needed, a filling material reinforces the tooth’s structure.
- A digital or physical impression captures the exact shape of your prepared tooth.
3. Temporary Crown
A temporary crown protects your tooth while your permanent one is crafted at a dental laboratory. For PFM crowns specifically, skilled lab technicians build a custom metal substructure from your impression, then layer porcelain over it to achieve a natural, tooth-like finish. This process usually takes one to two weeks. Our team will walk you through how to care for your temporary crown in the meantime.
4. Permanent Crown Placement
At your second visit:
- The temporary crown is removed.
- Your permanent crown is checked for fit, color, and bite alignment.
- Once everything looks and feels right, it’s securely cemented or bonded in place.
5. Follow-Up Care
To help your new crown go the distance, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Keep up with routine dental checkups.
Ready to get started? Contact our dentist in Goldsboro at 919-735-3431 to discuss your options.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
- Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss daily around the crown to prevent plaque buildup.
- Avoid hard foods like ice, hard candies, or tough meats that can chip or dislodge a crown.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth to protect the crown from excess wear.
- Visit our office regularly — checkups every six months help keep your crown and your smile healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental crowns aren’t considered permanent — they’re designed to last for a specific period but may eventually need replacement. Durability depends on factors like oral hygiene, chewing habits, and the material used. PFM crowns, for example, typically last 10 to 15 years, while crowns overall commonly last 5 to 15 years.
No. Crowns are made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, which don’t respond to bleaching gels or whitening strips the way natural teeth do. If a crown becomes stained, a professional cleaning may help remove surface stains.
In some cases, yes. Whether repair is possible depends on the extent of the damage and where the crown is located. Your dentist will assess the crown and recommend the best path forward.
No. PFM crowns consist of a metal substructure — usually an alloy of gold, nickel, or chromium — covered with porcelain. Neither the metal nor the porcelain contains mercury.
Most crowns last between 5 and 15 years, with some lasting even longer. Lifespan depends on the material (porcelain, ceramic, gold, PFM, or metal), your oral hygiene habits, and lifestyle factors like teeth grinding or chewing on hard foods. Regular checkups, brushing, and flossing all help extend a crown’s life.
Excellent Dental Care from Our Goldsboro Dentist
You deserve a smile that makes you feel confident and unstoppable. Whether you’re considering a PFM crown or exploring your other dental crown options, our team is here to help you find the right fit for your smile. Contact our dentist near you today at 919-735-3431 to schedule your consultation.