If you’ve been told you need a crown or filling, you might be wondering whether your smile will ever look the same again. At Maplewood Family Dental, Dr. Kevin Chidester, DMD, understands that restoring your teeth isn’t just about function. It’s about confidence, too. That’s why tooth colored crowns and fillings are a cornerstone of the care offered here. With advanced training from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and a genuine commitment to patient-centered dentistry, Dr. Chidester helps patients in North Carolina get restorations that look and feel completely natural.
Tooth Colored Crowns and Fillings
What Makes Tooth-Colored Restorations Different
Tooth colored restorations stand apart from traditional metal-based options in one significant way: they’re designed to disappear into your smile. Composite resin fillings and porcelain crowns are carefully shade-matched to your natural teeth, so the repaired tooth looks like it was never damaged at all. Metal fillings and amalgam crowns, by contrast, remain visible every time you open your mouth, a tradeoff many patients are no longer willing to make.
The difference goes beyond appearance. Composite resin bonds directly to the tooth surface, which means less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed during preparation compared to metal alternatives. Porcelain and ceramic crowns also respond to light much like natural enamel does, giving them a lifelike depth and translucency that metal simply cannot replicate. These material advantages make tooth colored restorations a more conservative and aesthetically consistent choice for repairing damaged or decayed teeth.
Tooth-Colored Restoration Services We Offer
Maplewood Family Dental offers a full range of tooth-colored restoration options to meet your individual dental needs. Each service is designed to deliver durable, natural-looking results that protect your teeth for the long term.
What Happens When You Come In for a Restoration
Getting a Clear Picture of Your Dental Health
Your first visit starts with a comprehensive exam of the affected tooth and surrounding structures. Dr. Chidester reviews your dental and medical history, takes any necessary X-rays, and listens to your concerns before making any recommendations. This thorough assessment ensures the right restoration is identified for your specific condition from the very beginning.
Building a Plan Around Your Specific Needs
Once Dr. Chidester has a full picture of your dental health, he puts together a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. You’ll receive a straightforward explanation of whether a crown or filling is the better fit, what the procedure involves, and what to expect for cost and timing. The goal is to make sure you leave that conversation with a clear plan and no unanswered questions.
How Your Crown or Filling is Placed
Placement begins with numbing the area so you stay comfortable throughout the procedure. For fillings, composite resin is applied in layers, carefully shaped to match your bite, and hardened with a curing light. For crowns, Dr. Chidester takes precise impressions or digital scans of your tooth so your custom-made crown fits accurately before it’s permanently cemented into place.
Caring for Your Restoration at Home
Keeping your restoration in good condition doesn’t require a complicated routine. Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and steer clear of habits like chewing on ice or hard candy that can stress the material over time. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a mouthguard is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of both crowns and fillings.
Your Post-Restoration Checkup
After your crown or filling is placed, a follow-up visit allows Dr. Chidester to confirm that your bite feels right and the restoration is holding up as expected. If anything feels off — whether it’s lingering sensitivity, discomfort when chewing, or an uneven bite — that’s exactly the kind of feedback the team at Maplewood Family Dental wants to hear. Catching small issues early keeps them from turning into larger ones down the line.
Why Choose Us
Every crown and filling placed at Maplewood Family Dental starts with one standard: the restoration should work as well as it looks. That means selecting materials known for their durability and natural appearance, shade-matching with precision so the result blends with your surrounding teeth, and preparing the tooth conservatively to preserve as much healthy structure as possible. These aren’t shortcuts. They’re deliberate choices that affect how well your restoration holds up over years of everyday use.
Dr. Chidester also takes the time to get the details right. Bite alignment, surface texture, and the way light hits a finished crown all factor into whether a restoration truly looks and feels natural. Composite fillings are shaped and polished with care so they integrate smoothly with the rest of your tooth rather than standing out. The result is a restoration that doesn’t just fix the problem. It fits your smile in a way that feels completely seamless.
FAQs
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. It covers the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gumline. Crowns are commonly recommended after a root canal, significant decay, or a fracture that leaves too little healthy tooth structure for a filling to adequately repair.
How much does a dental crown cost?
Dental crowns generally range from $800 to $1,500 or more per tooth, depending on the material used and your location. Dental insurance often covers a portion when the crown is deemed medically necessary. Costs vary by provider, so it’s worth consulting with your dentist directly to understand your options and get a clear breakdown of what your out-of-pocket expense will look like.
How long do dental crowns last?
Most dental crowns last between 10 and 15 years, though many hold up well beyond that with proper care. Longevity depends on oral hygiene habits, bite pressure, and whether you grind your teeth. Routine dental visits help catch early signs of wear so your crown can be monitored and maintained before any larger issues develop.
Why does my tooth filling hurt after months?
Persistent pain months after a filling usually points to an underlying issue rather than normal healing. Common causes include a bite that sits too high, a hairline crack in the tooth, or nerve irritation beneath the restoration. It’s best not to wait it out. Seeing your dentist promptly allows them to identify the cause and address it before the problem worsens.
How much is a tooth filling?
Tooth colored composite fillings typically cost between $150 and $300 per tooth, though prices vary based on cavity size, tooth location, and insurance coverage. They tend to cost slightly more than traditional amalgam fillings but offer a natural appearance and a stronger bond to the tooth. Your dentist can give you a more precise estimate after evaluating the extent of the decay.
How long can I eat after tooth filling?
Composite fillings are hardened immediately during the procedure, so you can eat once the anesthesia wears off, usually within one to three hours. It’s still a good idea to avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods for the first 24 hours while the tooth settles. If your bite feels uneven or uncomfortable after the numbness fades, follow up with your dentist to have it checked.
Repair Your Tooth Without Compromising Your Smile!
Tooth colored crowns and fillings do more than repair damaged teeth. They give you a smile you’re proud to show off every day. With the right restoration, you can eat, speak, and laugh without worrying about how your teeth look or feel. Dr. Kevin Chidester, DMD, and the Maplewood Family Dental team are ready to help you take that next step. Book your appointment today by calling us at 919.438.3933 or connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, tips, and patient stories from our community.
