A damaged or weakened tooth doesn’t have to mean the end of your natural smile. At Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we use custom porcelain crowns to protect your tooth, restore comfortable chewing, and keep your smile looking natural. If you’ve been told you need a crown or other restorative dentistry service, our Virginia Beach team is here to walk you through it.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that fits over your entire tooth, down to the gumline. Think of it as a protective cap that covers the chewing surface and outer walls of a compromised tooth. Once it’s bonded in place, the crown becomes the tooth’s new outer layer. It’s strong enough to handle normal biting and chewing, and it’s shaped to blend in with the teeth around it.
Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Reichley use porcelain ceramic crowns because they match the color and translucency of natural teeth better than metal-based options. You shouldn’t have to choose between a tooth that works and a tooth that looks like it belongs in your mouth.
When Does a Tooth Need a Crown?
Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. Sometimes a filling is enough. But a crown is usually the right call when a tooth has lost too much structure to be safely repaired with filling material alone.
You might need a crown if you have:
- A large cavity that’s too big for a standard filling
- A chipped or fractured tooth that needs to be held together
- A tooth that’s had root canal therapy, which can leave the tooth brittle and more prone to breaking
- Significant wear or erosion from grinding, acid, or age
- A misshapen or severely discolored tooth that cosmetic treatments alone can’t fix
During your exam, Dr. Sinclair or Dr. Reichley will show you what’s happening with your tooth, often using our intraoral camera, and explain why a crown is or isn’t the best option for your situation. No pressure and no jargon, just a clear picture of what’s going on.
What the Crown Process Looks Like at Our Virginia Beach Office
- First, we examine and plan. We’ll take digital X-rays and look at the tooth carefully. If the tooth needs a root canal first, we’ll handle that before placing the crown. Sometimes we can do both in the same visit. Sometimes it makes more sense to split them up. We’ll tell you which applies to you.
- Next, we prepare the tooth. We gently reshape a small amount of the outer tooth structure so the crown has room to fit properly and sit comfortably against your gumline. We’ll take a digital impression of your tooth so the lab can create a crown that fits your bite and matches your other teeth.
- You leave with a temporary crown. While your permanent porcelain crown is being made, we’ll fit you with a temporary one. It protects the tooth and lets you eat and smile normally in the meantime. We’ll give you simple care instructions to keep it secure until your next visit.
- Then we place your final crown. At your follow-up appointment, we remove the temporary crown, check the fit and color of your new one, and bond it permanently in place. We’ll adjust the bite if needed so it feels even and comfortable. Most patients tell us the new crown feels like their own tooth within a day or two.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
With good home care and regular checkups, a well-made porcelain crown can last many years. The crown itself won’t decay, but the tooth underneath and the surrounding gums still need attention. That’s why we recommend routine cleanings and exams. Catching a problem early is almost always easier and less expensive than fixing it later.
A few habits help your crown last longer:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying extra attention to the gumline around the crown
- Avoid chewing on ice, pens, or other hard objects
- If you grind your teeth at night, ask us about a nightguard
- Keep up with your regular visits so we can check the crown and the tooth beneath it
Why Patients in Virginia Beach Choose Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
Dr. Sinclair is an Accredited Dentist of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and he brings an artist’s eye to every restoration. Before dentistry, he worked as an art conservator restoring paintings and sculptures for museums. That background shows in the way he matches shades and shapes so a crown looks like it grew there.
Dr. Reichley earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and served four years as a U.S. Navy Dental Officer. He’s a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and has completed advanced training at the Kois Center, the Nobel Institute, and the Pikos Institute.
Together, they’ve built a dental practice in North Virginia Beach that puts patient education first. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
Common Questions About Dental Crowns
Does getting a crown hurt?
We numb the area before we prepare the tooth, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the visit. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually settles within a few days.
How long does it take?
Most crowns take two visits: one to prepare the tooth and place a temporary, and one to bond the final crown. The time between visits depends on the lab, and we’ll give you an estimate.
Will the crown match my other teeth?
Yes. We shade-match porcelain to your surrounding teeth so the crown blends in. If you’re planning on teeth whitening, tell us first, because it’s easier to match a crown to your final shade than to whiten around an existing crown.
Will insurance cover a crown?
Many dental plans help with crowns when they’re needed to restore a damaged tooth. We file claims for you and help you get the most from your benefits. If you don’t have insurance, our Dental Care Savings Plan offers discounts on restorative care with no deductibles or waiting periods. Call us, and we’ll explain your options.
Ready to Talk About a Crown?
If you have a tooth that’s been bothering you, or you’ve been told a crown is in your future, we’re glad to take a look and explain your options. Call Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at 757-656-6368 or request an appointment online to schedule an exam with Dr. Sinclair or Dr. Reichley in Virginia Beach.