Dental Crowns in Knightdale, NC
 A dental crown restores a badly damaged tooth to its original shape, strength, and function by covering it completely from the gumline up. At the Knightdale office of Stansell Dentistry Associates, our team provides crown services for adults and children using advanced digital imaging and in-office CEREC® same-day crown technology. Many patients leave with a finished, permanent restoration the same day — no temporary crown and no return visit.
Our Knightdale location at 1101 Great Falls Ct serves families throughout eastern Wake County, including Clayton, Garner, Wendell, and Zebulon. We are the only Stansell Dentistry Associates office that accepts Medicaid, making crown treatment accessible to even more patients in the community. For a complete guide to crown types, materials, and the treatment process, visit our main dental crown page.
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Reasons You May Need a Crown
Crowns become necessary when a tooth has sustained enough damage that a dental filling can no longer hold it together. A large cavity that has hollowed out the interior walls of a molar, a vertical crack running down the side of a premolar, or a tooth that has been worn flat from grinding — each of these situations leaves the tooth at risk of breaking apart under normal chewing pressure. A crown eliminates that risk by replacing the entire outer surface with a strong, custom-fitted shell.
After a root canal, the treated tooth loses its internal blood supply and becomes more brittle over time. A crown placed over the tooth absorbs biting force and prevents the kind of fracture that would otherwise lead to extraction. Crowns also serve as the visible tooth portion of a dental implant, as anchoring teeth for a dental bridge, and as a solution for teeth that are severely discolored or misshapen beyond what bonding or veneers can address.
For children, stainless steel crowns protect primary teeth with extensive decay. Preserving the baby tooth until it falls out naturally maintains the spacing the permanent tooth needs to erupt properly, which helps prevent alignment problems later.
Your Knightdale Dental Team
The dental team at our Knightdale office evaluates every crown case with digital x-rays and intraoral camera imaging. These tools reveal hidden cracks, decay beneath existing fillings, and bone-level changes that are not visible to the eye alone. The dentist shares the images on a chairside screen and explains why a crown is recommended, what alternatives exist, and what the treatment will involve — so you understand the full picture before any work begins.
Our Knightdale team treats patients of all ages, from young children needing pediatric crowns to adults requiring complex multi-tooth restorations. Blankets, in-chair entertainment, and a warm, unhurried approach keep every patient comfortable. For those who experience dental anxiety, sedation dentistry options are available to ensure a calm experience throughout the appointment.
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The Crown Placement Process
The path from consultation to finished crown follows a straightforward sequence, and the specific steps depend on whether your crown is fabricated same-day with CEREC® or sent to an outside dental laboratory.
Consultation and Evaluation
The dentist examines the tooth, reviews digital x-rays, and determines whether a crown is the appropriate restoration. You discuss material options, timeline, and cost estimates before agreeing on a treatment plan.
Tooth Preparation
After numbing the area, the dentist removes any decay and reshapes the tooth into a tapered core. This creates the space and structure the crown needs to fit securely over the top. An intraoral scanner captures a precise three-dimensional digital impression of the prepared tooth and the surrounding bite — no uncomfortable putty trays required.
Crown Fabrication
For CEREC® same-day crowns, the digital scan transfers directly to a chairside computer where the dentist designs the crown in real time. The design is sent to the in-office milling unit, which carves a custom crown from a solid block of dental ceramic in about 15 minutes. For laboratory-fabricated crowns — including gold, zirconia, and certain complex restorations — the digital impression is sent to the lab, a comfortable temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth, and the permanent crown returns in one to two weeks.
Bonding and Final Adjustments
The dentist seats the crown, checks the fit and bite, and makes any final refinements to ensure smooth contact with the opposing and adjacent teeth. Once everything feels right, the crown is permanently bonded. Same-day patients leave with the finished result in a single visit. Lab patients return for a short follow-up appointment where the temporary is removed and the permanent crown is cemented.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
A well-placed crown provides lasting value for your oral health:
- Complete Structural Protection — The crown covers every surface of the tooth above the gumline, distributing bite forces evenly and preventing the cracks and fractures that would otherwise lead to extraction.
- Full Chewing Ability — Many patients unconsciously avoid chewing on a weakened tooth, shifting their bite to the opposite side. A crown restores that tooth to full function and rebalances the forces across your entire arch.
- Natural Appearance — Porcelain and ceramic crowns are color-matched to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. The dentist adjusts shade, shape, and translucency during the design phase to create a result that looks like a natural tooth.
- Longevity — With consistent home care and regular professional cleanings, most crowns last 10 to 15 years or longer. Gold and zirconia restorations on back teeth often exceed that range significantly.
- Tooth and Root Preservation — Saving the natural root keeps the jawbone stimulated and eliminates the need for a more involved replacement like an implant or removable prosthetic.
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Why Choose Our Knightdale Office for Crowns
 Our Knightdale office is the only Stansell Dentistry Associates location that accepts Medicaid, which makes crown treatment accessible to patients and families who rely on this coverage. Many Medicaid plans cover crowns as a necessary restorative procedure, and our front desk team verifies eligibility and explains your benefits before treatment begins.
The office is equipped with the same advanced technology available at all three practice locations: CEREC® in-house milling for same-day ceramic crowns, digital x-rays for precise diagnostics, and intraoral scanning that eliminates traditional putty impressions. Same-day fabrication means fewer appointments and less time away from work or school.
As a family dental practice, we treat children needing pediatric stainless steel crowns and adults requiring porcelain, zirconia, or gold restorations under the same roof. Consistent weekday hours — including availability until 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday — provide scheduling flexibility for families managing multiple appointments. Patient amenities like in-chair entertainment, blankets, warm towels, and a complimentary beverage bar keep the experience comfortable for every age group.
Crown Cost & Insurance in Knightdale
The cost of a dental crown depends on the material selected, the location and condition of the tooth, and whether supporting procedures such as a core buildup are needed. The dentist provides a detailed estimate during your consultation so you know what to expect before treatment begins.
Our Knightdale office accepts MetLife, BCBS, Delta Dental, Ameritas, United Concordia, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Medicaid. Most private dental plans classify crowns as a major restorative procedure and cover approximately 50% after your deductible. Medicaid coverage for crowns varies by plan, and our team confirms your specific benefits in advance.
For patients without insurance, in-house membership plans include 10% off services like crowns with no annual maximum, no deductible, and no waiting period. Sunbit pay-over-time financing and CareCredit provide additional payment flexibility. Visit our financial and insurance page for complete details, or call (984) 733-0330 to discuss your coverage and schedule a consultation.
Visit Our Knightdale Office
Our Knightdale office is located at 1101 Great Falls Ct, Ste 102, Knightdale, NC 27545. Call (984) 733-0330 to schedule your crown consultation.
Dental crowns are also available at our Brier Creek office and our North Raleigh office. Visit our Brier Creek dental crown page or North Raleigh dental crown page for location-specific details, or explore our full range of dental services across the Raleigh metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns in Knightdale
Does Medicaid cover dental crowns at your Knightdale office?
Our Knightdale office is the only Stansell Dentistry Associates location that accepts Medicaid, and many Medicaid plans do cover dental crowns when they are classified as a medically necessary restorative procedure. Coverage details vary by plan, so our front desk team verifies your specific benefits and explains any out-of-pocket costs before scheduling treatment. Call our office to confirm your eligibility.
What is the difference between a same-day crown and a lab crown?
A same-day CEREC crown is designed and milled from a ceramic block in our office during a single appointment, eliminating the need for a temporary crown and a return visit. A lab crown is fabricated by an external dental laboratory over one to two weeks, which allows for specialized materials like gold or complex multi-unit restorations. Both types offer excellent durability and fit. The dentist recommends the best option based on the tooth’s location, the forces it must withstand, and your aesthetic preferences.
How do I know if my tooth needs a crown or a filling?
The determining factor is how much healthy tooth structure remains. A filling works when the cavity or damage is small enough that the surrounding walls can support the restoration. When damage is extensive — removing more than roughly a third of the tooth’s structure — a filling no longer provides adequate support and the tooth is at risk of fracturing. In those cases, a crown is the safer, longer-lasting solution. The dentist uses x-rays and a clinical exam to make this determination and explains the reasoning clearly.
Can I eat normally with a temporary crown?
You can eat with a temporary crown, but you should avoid sticky foods like caramel and taffy that can pull it loose, as well as very hard foods that could crack it. Chew on the opposite side when possible, and use gentle pressure when flossing around the temporary. Temporary crowns are only necessary when a crown is being fabricated at a dental laboratory. Same-day CEREC crowns eliminate temporaries entirely because the permanent crown is placed during the same appointment.
Do you place crowns on children’s baby teeth?
Yes. Stainless steel crowns are commonly placed on primary teeth when decay is too extensive for a filling to provide adequate protection. The crown preserves the baby tooth until it falls out naturally, which maintains proper spacing for the permanent tooth developing underneath. Losing a primary tooth too early can cause neighboring teeth to shift into the gap, leading to crowding and alignment issues. Our Knightdale team treats children of all ages and ensures every young patient feels comfortable and supported throughout the process.
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