Custom Dental Crowns

Dental Crown Services in Madison & Cottage Grove, WI

Over time, everyday wear and tear can take a toll on your teeth. Decay, deep cracks, and structural fractures can weaken your enamel, making teeth susceptible to further damage and pain. If a standard filling isn't enough to save a compromised tooth, a dental crown offers a durable, natural-looking solution to fully recover your smile.

At Excellence in Dentistry, we combine expert care with state-of-the-art technology to offer both traditional restorations and advanced same-day CEREC dental crowns to fit your busy lifestyle.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown (often referred to by patients as a tooth cap) is a custom-designed restoration that completely encases a damaged tooth above the gumline. Unlike a filling or bonding—which only repairs an isolated portion of a tooth—a crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size, and strength while dramatically improving its cosmetic appearance.

Why Might You Need a Dental Crown Restoration?

Our dentists typically recommend a crown to protect your natural tooth structure in the following scenarios:

• To protect a weak or cracked tooth from breaking or splitting apart.
• To restore a tooth that is already broken or severely worn down.
• To cover and support a tooth with a large cavity when there isn't enough healthy enamel left for a standard filling.
• To seal, strengthen, and protect a tooth following a Root Canal Treatment.
• To serve as the artificial anchor tooth to secure a Dental Bridge in place.
• To mask severely misshapen or permanently discolored teeth for a flawless cosmetic appearance.

The CEREC Advantage: Same-Day Dental Crowns

We know your time is valuable. That’s why we are proud to offer CEREC One-Visit All-Porcelain Crowns. CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) utilizing advanced CAD/CAM digital technology allows us to design, manufacture, and place your permanent crown in a single appointment.

Benefits of Our Same-Day CEREC Crowns:

• Single-Visit Convenience: Walk out with your permanent dental crown completed in just a few hours. No need to schedule multiple appointments or take extra time off work.
• No Temporary Crowns: Traditional crowns require you to wear a fragile, temporary plastic cap for weeks. CEREC completely eliminates this uncomfortable middle step.
• No Messy Impression Trays: Say goodbye to the unappealing, gooey putty trays that trigger gag reflexes. We capture your teeth using a highly accurate, quick digital 3D camera scan.
• Beautiful, Natural Aesthetics: CEREC crowns are milled from a solid block of high-grade, biocompatible ceramic material that perfectly mimics the light-reflecting qualities and durability of natural tooth enamel.

How the Same-Day Process Works:

1. Digital Scanning: After gently preparing the tooth and clearing away any decay, we take a 3D digital scan of your mouth.
2. On-Screen Custom Design: Our dentists use advanced computer software to precisely design your dental crown right before your eyes, matching the exact contour and shade of your surrounding teeth.
3. In-House Milling: The digital blueprint is sent to our in-office milling machine, which precisely sculpts your custom crown from a solid ceramic block in about 15 minutes.
4. Permanent Bonding: Once the crown is refined and polished, the dentist permanently bonds it to your tooth for a fit that is incredibly strong and durable.

Traditional Dental Crown Options

While same-day porcelain crowns are ideal for most patients, certain clinical situations require traditional lab-crafted restorations. Our dentists can also provide:

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: Combining the aesthetic appeal of porcelain with a metallic base for enhanced durability on back biting teeth.
• Full Gold Crowns: Exceptional strength and longevity for patients who experience severe nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism).

Note: If a traditional or metal-replaced crown is required, the process takes 2 visits spaced roughly 1 to 2 weeks apart, during which you will wear a comfortable temporary crown.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns

How long does a dental crown last?

With proper oral hygiene, regular flossing, and routine dental exams at our Madison or Cottage Grove offices, a high-quality dental crown can easily last between 10 to 15 years, and often much longer.

‍Does getting a tooth crown hurt?

Not at all. Before preparing your tooth, we apply a local anesthetic to ensure the entire area is completely numb. You may feel some mild pressure during the procedure or minor sensitivity for a couple of days afterward, but the process itself is as comfortable as getting a standard filling.

‍What is the difference between a filling and a crown?

A filling replaces a small missing piece of a tooth structure caused by minor decay. However, if a tooth has lost more than half of its structure or has a fracture running through it, a filling cannot withstand the heavy pressure of chewing. A crown acts like a protective helmet, surrounding the entire tooth to prevent it from splitting apart.

‍

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Don't let a cracked or painful tooth compromise your smile. Whether you need a traditional restoration or the convenience of a same-day CEREC dental crown, our expert teams in Madison and Cottage Grove are here to help.

‍