Dental Crowns for Tooth Restoration
Dental crowns are a treatment for damaged, decayed or less than perfect teeth where the dentist can replace the surface of the tooth above the gum line. When your tooth is damaged, a dental crown can replace the surface of the tooth to helps stop further damage and to protect the remaining part of the tooth. A dental crown can help improve your overall oral hygiene. A dental crown can be made from a variety of materials, each with their own pros and cons, and can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth or to even improve on your tooth’s existing color. Your dentist can create a dental crown for you from metal, resin, ceramic, or porcelain. Typically, the dentist will recommend a dental crown when you have significantly fractured the surface of your teeth, your tooth is suffering from a crack or decay, or your tooth has weak spot that needs support. Like veneers and dental bonding, dental crowns can be used to improve the shape, color and overall look of the tooth to a more symmetric, pleasing part of your smile.
Interested in a consultation regarding porcelain veneers? Consider an appointment at our Wilmington, North Carolina practice today.
Dental Crown Procedure
Once you have had your consultation appointment and you and the dentist have decided that a dental crown is the best treatment plan for you and your smile, then the dentist will take x-rays of the tooth or teeth you would like to address. The dentist needs to confirm that there is no damage below the gum line as crowns only address the tooth above the gum line.
Once the dentist determines that the damage can be properly addressed by the crown, then the dentist will remove the decay from the tooth. The tooth will then be reshaped to be prepared for the crown and for the crown to fit correctly. After this, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth to send to the lab. The lab will create a custom crown for you and your specific tooth in the material and color that meets your needs best. The lab will need time to finish this process. In the meantime, the dentist may put a temporary acrylic crown in place to help protect your tooth and prevent any further damage.
After the lab completes your crown, the dentist will have you make a final appointment to remove the temporary crown and to set the permanent one in place. In order to ensure you are comfortable and ready to walk out with your new smile, the dentist may use some anesthesia. After you and the dentist confirm the crown is the correct color, fits your tooth properly and works with your bite, the dentist will use a cement to permanently bond your crown to your remaining natural tooth.
Dental Crown Benefits
Depending on your specific needs, dental crowns may be the best option for you over porcelain veneers. Dental crowns and porcelain veneers differ in purpose, arrangement, and range of capabilities. While veneers are usually reserved for aesthetic improvements, dental crowns can offer more than just cosmetic changes to your smile. Unlike veneers that cover just the front of the tooth, dental crowns cover the whole surface of the tooth above the gum line allowing the existing tooth to gain another protective layer and increased functionality. Finally, most crowns remain in place and work well for five to fifteen years, but, when they are properly care for, they can last up to thirty years.
Dental Crown Candidates
If your tooth has been damaged, or if you are feeling any pressure or pain, please set up an appointment with your dentist. It is important that you do not make the mistake of waiting until your next regularly scheduled appointment, because waiting too long increases the risk of infection in the tooth spreading, or damage to the tooth worsening. If your tooth is not damaged to the point where it needs to be replaced, your dentist may suggest a dental crown. The dental crown can help you talk, chew and eat more easily day to day and that can improve your overall health in the long term. Dental crowns are typically used to repair broken teeth or teeth that have been chipped, cracked, decayed or damaged and are no longer able to function as they were before the problem.
Dental Crown Aftercare
Shortly after your dental crown is placed, you may find that your tooth and gums are more sensitive than they were before the dental crown. This increased sensitivity should fade over time, but if you find that the pain is too severe or it is not subsiding, be sure to follow up with your dentist to make sure that infection or other issues are not slowing down your healing process. During the days and weeks following the more invasive appointments, eating softer foods will keep you comfortable. Once the healing process takes hold, you can gradually include harder and more abrasive foods. Once your dentist has completed work on your dental crown and you are fully healed with your new crown in place, you need to treat your dental crown like your natural teeth.
Dental Crown Costs
Costs for each procedure vary depending on how long the procedure takes, what materials the procedure requires, how many visits the procedure requires, and the amount of work the dentist is required to do. It may surprise you to know, but dental insurance may cover some of the costs for these as well as elective procedures as they lead to improved overall dental health and long term benefits. If you do not have dental insurance coverage or you have any questions about payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. Your budget’s health is just as important as your mouth’s health.
High Quality Care You Can Trust
At Edgerton & Glenn Cosmetic and General Dentistry. We strive to build relationships with our patients. You are more than just teeth, you are our patient and friend and we want to help you to achieve and maintain oral health as best we can. We look forward to meeting you and talking about what is best for you and your mouth. Please contact us to set up a dental crown appointment at (910) 256-9230.
More Information About :
- All on Four Dental Implants
- CEREC Crowns
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Deep Teeth Cleaning
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Implants
- Dentists in Wilmington
- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Gum Disease
- Gummy Smile
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Inlay & Onlays
- Invisalign
- Laser Dentistry
- Mouth Guards
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Sleep Apnea
- Teeth Whitening
- TMJ Therapy
- Tooth Extractions
- Tooth Fillings