Why Choose Stephens & Gatewood for Dental Fillings
Multiple Options
We offer attractive composite fillings and ceramic fillings. Composite fillings, sometimes called tooth colored fillings, are quick and inexpensive. Ceramic fillings, sometimes called inlays and onlays, are stronger and more beautiful.
Experienced Dentists
With nearly 100 years of combined experience, our dentists have worked with numerous filling materials and have applied fillings under all situations. They know how to restore the health and beauty of your teeth.
Helpful Financing
Dental insurance will usually cover some or all of the cost of dental fillings. If you cannot fit the remaining cost in your budget, we can help you secure financing through CareCredit, Wells Fargo, or Compassionate Finance.
Dental Crowns Protect Your Smile with Natural-Looking Results
Repair a Weakened Tooth
A dental crown fits over a decayed or damaged tooth, providing it with support and sealing it off from attack by acids, oral bacteria, and other dangers..
Prevent Future Damage
At Stephens and Gatewood Dentistry, our tooth crowns are made from durable, resilient materials.
Enhance Your Look
Advanced materials allow our dentists to repair your teeth while maintaining a completely natural-looking smile. Some patients even choose crowns for cosmetic applications.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
Tooth crowns are very versatile. Our Houston restorative dentists may recommend a dental crown to:
- Repair a large cavity
- Protect a cracked tooth
- Make cosmetic modifications
- Top a dental implant
- Strengthen a tooth after root canal therapy
- Repair a large cavity
- Protect a cracked tooth
- Make cosmetic modifications
- Top a dental implant
- Strengthen a tooth after root canal therapy
Thanks to our CEREC® technology, we can prepare your tooth and place your crown in just one appointment.
Whether you need to strengthen a weakened tooth, replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, or protect your smile with root canal therapy, a crown may be an integral part of your treatment.
Your Dental Crown Consultation
During a consultation at Stephens and Gatewood Dentistry, we will assess the affected tooth to ensure that a crown is the correct course of action. X-rays will also be taken to determine the extent of the damage.
Teeth that are badly damaged may require root canal therapy before the crown can be placed. In other cases, patients will first undergo dental implant surgery to replace the portion of a missing tooth below the gumline.
Same-Day Dental Crowns Using CEREC® Technology
Our advanced CEREC technology allows us to place most tooth crowns in a single visit. After preparing your tooth and taking dental impressions, our dentists use our in-house milling machine to craft your custom crown from a solid block of medical-grade porcelain.
Dental Crown Treatment Process
In some instances, your Houston restorative dentist may need to send your case out to our trusted dental lab partner. In these cases, we will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while the lab fabricates your restoration by hand – a process that usually takes about three weeks. Once your case is shipped back to our Spring office, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and replace it with your permanent crown.
If you are eligible for a CEREC restoration, we can typically complete your entire treatment in a single visit.
Tooth Preparation
Your dentist will remove any decayed or damaged portions of the affected teeth. They may also remove small amounts of healthy enamel to ensure that the crown bonds to your tooth properly. Your dentist will leave as much healthy tooth structure intact as possible.
Dental Impressions
After preparation, we will take dental impressions. At Stephens & Gatewood Dentistry, we use advanced digital impressions. Essentially, we wave a wand over your teeth for 3D scans. This eliminates the need for messy dental putty.
Crown Fabrication
We upload the impressions to our computer, where your dentist will design your custom tooth restoration. When they are happy with the design, they send them to our CEREC milling machine, which will carve your crown according to the custom design.
Crown Placement
Your dentist will check the fit and color of your custom crown.They will make any necessary adjustments. When it’s perfect, they will attach it with dental cement.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Though durable and long-lasting, dental crowns are not indestructible. To keep your restoration in optimal condition, there are a few things you can do:
Brush and Floss
Practice good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once daily. Be sure to use an ADA-approved, nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste, as harsh ingredients can scratch your crown.
Wear a Night Guard
If you suffer from bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding), protect your restorations and natural teeth by wearing a custom night guard. You’ll also want to wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
Visit Your Dentist
Regular dental visits help ensure that your tooth crown – and your overall oral health – is in good condition. These appointments can help you save time, worry, and money in the future.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are several types of tooth crowns available at Stephens and Gatewood Dentistry. Your dentist will recommend a restoration based on your specific needs.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic and are often used on front teeth that are visible when you smile. Additionally, porcelain mimics natural tooth enamel.
Empress Crowns
Made from biocompatible ceramic glass, IPS Empress crowns offer a more durable, metal-free solution that still blends in with your natural teeth.
e.max Crowns
Twice the strength of Empress, IPS e.max crowns are crafted from lithium disilicate and are often used on teeth that bear the brunt of chewing forces.
Zirconia Crowns
Made from yttria stabilized zirconium dioxide, an advanced ceramic that is stronger than titanium. Zirconia tooth crowns offer optimal strength, with a very slight compromise on aesthetics.
Temporary Crown
Often made from composite resin materials, temporary crowns are placed whenever patients are waiting for their permanent crowns.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a tooth replacement option that uses your natural teeth to support a replacement tooth. A typical dental bridge consists of two dental crowns that fit over your natural teeth, and a replacement tooth that sits in between. All three parts are a single unit.
A dental bridge is attached to your teeth, so it lets you bite, chew, and talk normally. Your Houston restorative dentists use the same materials and processes for manufacturing dental bridges as for dental crowns, including CEREC same-day restorations.
We will only recommend dental bridges in situations where your bite forces won’t put your bridge or teeth at risk.
Paying for Your Dental Restorations
We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality dental care. That’s why we offer a wide range of financing options at our Spring offices. We are in-network with most major dental insurance plans, including Cigna, Aetna, and Delta Dental. We also offer a number of third-party financing options through CareCredit®, Wells Fargo, and Compassionate Finance™. Our team can help you find a solution for your unique needs and budget.
Get Dental Restorations in Houston
Drs. Stephens, Gatewood, Pagano, and Swann offer top-of-the-line dentistry for you and your entire family. Our experienced team is affiliated with a number of prestigious organizations, including:
- The American Dental Association
- The American Academy of General Dentistry
- The Texas Dental Association
- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- The National Dental Honor Society
- CEREC Doctors
- The American Dental Association
- The American Academy of General Dentistry
- The Texas Dental Association
- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- The National Dental Honor Society
- CEREC Doctors
Patients in the greater Houston region can enjoy free consultations at our practices in Cypresswood and Auburn Lakes. Request your consultation by filling out our online form or calling (281) 320-2000.