Everything You Need to Know About Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are specially designed caps that are put over weak or broken teeth to improve their look and restore their size, shape, and function. You may learn about crowns’ advantages, the process, and how to take care of them for long-lasting results from Dr. Marina Akerman, DDS, and her friendly staff at Gentle Dental Care. We have convenient locations to serve you in Copperfield Houston, Cinco Ranch Katy, Magnolia, Katy, FM Spring, Spring, and Montgomery TX. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online.
Table of Contents:
How long do dental crowns last?
What is the process of getting a dental crown?
How do I know if I need a dental crown?
Can a dental crown improve the appearance of my teeth?
At Gentle Dental Care, we offer a wide range of restorative procedures, including dental crowns, to help improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. The lifespan of dental crowns depends on a variety of factors.
• Type of Crown: Typically, dental crowns made from metal alloys or porcelain fused to metal can last between 5 to 15 years. Gold crowns and all-ceramic crowns tend to have a longer lifespan, often lasting for 15 to 20 years or more. However, these are just averages and individual experiences can vary.
• Oral Hygiene and Maintenance: The longevity of a dental crown is significantly influenced by the care and maintenance provided by the patient. Frequent dental examinations and brushing and flossing can help ensure the crown remains in good condition.
• Bite Forces: The amount of force exerted on the crown during chewing plays a role in its longevity.
• Underlying Tooth Health: If the underlying tooth beneath the crown develops problems, it can affect the longevity of the crown.
• Other Factors: Certain habits, such as teeth grinding, nail-biting, or eating hard foods, can put additional stress on crowns, potentially shortening their lifespan.
• Professional Expertise: We pride ourselves on the skill and expertise of our dental professionals who place the crowns. A well-fitted crown that is properly placed can last longer than a crown that is not.
The process of getting a dental crown usually involves several key steps and typically requires two separate dental appointments at our practice.
Initial Examination and Diagnosis:
Our experienced dentists will first conduct a comprehensive examination of the tooth in question. We will assess the extent of damage or decay, ensure that the tooth can support a crown, and determine if a crown is the best treatment option. We will then discuss the procedure and its implications with you.
Tooth Preparation:
Once the need for a crown has been established, our dentist will start the process of preparing the tooth. This might involve filing away some of the tooth to create space for the crown, or building up the tooth if it’s decaying or seriously damaged.
Impression Taking:
With the tooth prepared, we will take an impression of your tooth and the surrounding teeth using either a traditional mold or a digital scanner. This impression will serve as the basis for crafting your custom crown.
Temporary Crown Placement:
While your permanent crown is being fabricated, we will create a temporary crown to protect your tooth and maintain its position.
Crown Fabrication:
At the dental laboratory, a skilled technician will use the impression taken to create your custom-made crown. The crown can be made from various materials, including porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-metal, or zirconia.
Crown Cementation:
On your second visit to our practice, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is checked for the correct fit, color, and bite alignment.
Final Adjustments and Follow-Up Care:
After the crown is cemented in place, our dentists will make any required modifications to guarantee a snug fit and proper bite alignment. We will also check for any occlusion issues that could interfere with chewing.
Regular check-ups will ensure that your crown lasts as long as possible, often for many years.
Whether it’s a nagging toothache or visible tooth damage, these signs could point to a need for a dental crown.
1. Tooth Pain:
Experiencing pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold could be a sign of a severe cavity or tooth decay that has reached your tooth’s nerve. This could mean severe damage to your tooth, necessitating a dental crown to restore the tooth and prevent further damage.
2. Visible Tooth Damage:
If you can see a chip, fracture, broken cusps (raised surfaces on teeth), or severe wear on your tooth, it might be time for a dental crown. We use these restorative procedures to strengthen and protect your tooth structure.
3. After a Root Canal:
We typically recommend a dental crown following a root canal treatment. Since the tooth can become fragile and prone to fractures after the procedure, a dental crown can restore its strength and protect it from further damage.
4. Cosmetic Concerns:
Unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth due to discoloration, misshapen teeth, or gaps? Our dental crowns not only restore your oral health but also allow large gaps or diastemas to be closed with a crown, greatly improving your overall look.
5. Age or Bruxism-Related Wear:
With age, teeth can become weaker and more prone to damage. Similarly, conditions like bruxism (nighttime grinding) can cause excessive wear and tear on your teeth. In such cases, we may recommend dental crowns to restore your tooth’s shape, size, and function, protecting it from further deterioration.
At Gentle Dental Care, we believe that everyone deserves a beautiful smile. That’s why we offer dental crown treatments, an exceptional solution for various cosmetic dental issues. Dental crowns are a popular procedure due to their ability to dramatically enhance your smile by improving the aesthetics of your teeth.
Whether you have a tooth that is discolored, stained, chipped, or broken, our team of professional dentists can use dental crowns to effectively conceal these imperfections, giving you a more uniform, whiter smile. Dental crowns can also restore the original shape and size of teeth that have been worn down over time or damaged by trauma. They are frequently used after root canal therapy or with teeth that have large fillings, which can become dark and unsightly over time.
We use high-quality materials like porcelain or ceramic for crowns, which closely mimic the natural translucency and luster of teeth, providing a natural-looking restoration. By covering the damaged or disfigured portion of the tooth, dental crowns can create a brighter, more symmetrical smile, enhancing teeth that are misshapen or disproportionately small.
In addition to their cosmetic advantages, dental crowns also offer functional benefits. They provide structural support and protection, prevent further damage, and strengthen weakened or damaged teeth.
Dental crowns available at Gentle Dental Care can significantly enhance the appearance and health of your teeth, providing a whiter, more uniform, and healthier-looking smile. However, we recommend discussing your options with one of our dental professionals to determine if a crown is the right solution for your particular needs. Visit our Texas Gentle Dental website to learn more or to schedule an appointment today. We serve patients from Copperfield Houston TX, Cinco Ranch Katy TX, Magnolia TX, Katy TX, FM Spring TX, Spring TX, Montgomery TX, Westlake TX, Kelliwood TX, Copper Lakes TX, Brenwood TX, The Woodlands TX, Rayford TX, Pine Hurst TX, Egypt TX, Dobbin TX, Conroe TX, Louetta TX, Kohrville TX, Four Corners TX, Howellville TX, and surrounding areas. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online.