Dental Crowns in Durham
Our Durham office on Watkins Road uses an in-office CEREC system to design, mill, and bond a permanent ceramic crown.
Single Crown
Discover how a dental crown restores the strength, function, and appearance of a damaged tooth. This educational video explains when a crown is recommended, the step-by-step treatment process, and how a custom-made crown protects your tooth while blending naturally with your smile.
Share with PatientCracked or aching tooth? Call (919) 813-2267.
How a CEREC Crown Actually Works
It’s worth understanding the technology, because the result depends on it. After we numb the tooth and shape it for the crown, a digital wand scans the prepared tooth and the surrounding bite — no tray, no putty, no gagging. That scan feeds CAD/CAM software, where the crown is designed on screen to match your tooth’s contours and your bite. The design goes to a milling unit beside the chair, which carves the crown from a solid block of dental ceramic. We then stain, glaze, and bond it in place.
When a Crown Is the Right Call
A crown takes over for a tooth that’s lost too much structure to be patched with a filling. The common scenarios: a molar cracked under a hard bite, a tooth left brittle after a root canal, an old filling that has outgrown the tooth around it, or a tooth worn flat by years of grinding. In each case the crown does the same job — it caps the tooth, seals it against bacteria, and restores a surface strong enough for everyday chewing.
The Materials We Mill
The blocks we mill are high-grade dental ceramic — the same category of material a lab uses, engineered for strength and an enamel-like, light-catching finish. Ceramic flatters visible teeth because it’s color-matched and slightly translucent, and modern reinforced versions such as zirconia withstand the load a molar bears. If a particular tooth calls for a different material or a lab-fabricated crown, we’ll tell you; the aim is the right restoration, not speed for its own sake.
Cost and Insurance
Crowns sit in the major-restorative tier of dental coverage, where most plans reimburse near 50% after your deductible.
How Long They Last
Plan on a decade to fifteen years of service, often beyond. Because the ceramic won’t decay while the root and remaining structure still can, upkeep is straightforward: keep the crown’s base immaculate, avoid the hard chewing that chips any tooth, and shield it with a nightguard if grinding is part of your picture. We track the restoration at each checkup.
Dental Crown — Durham Frequently Asked Questions
Is a milled crown as good as a lab crown?
Yes — milled from high-grade ceramic, comparable in strength, fit, and lifespan.
How much does it cost?
Most plans reimburse about half after the deductible; uninsured, it’s $1,000 to $1,600. You get the figure in writing before we begin, and Sunbit, CareCredit, or the O2 Advantage Plan can cover the rest.
Does every tooth qualify for a CEREC crown?
Most do. Teeth needing a root canal first or extensive rebuilding may be staged; we confirm at the exam.
How long do crowns last?
Ten to fifteen years is typical, often more, with routine care and a guard if you grind.
Book Your Denal Crown Consultation in Durham
Find out whether your tooth is a candidate for a crown — book online or call.
Schedule Today!
We look forward to meeting you.
Call (919) 813-2267 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
O2 Dental Group of Durham
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9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 2:00pm (every other Friday)
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