When dentists recommend dental crowns, they are referring to caps that they place atop damaged teeth. Crowns restore the shape of a patient's tooth, covering the tooth and protecting it from further damage when fillings are insufficient. Dentists shape crowns from porcelain, resin, metal, or ceramic.
Every day, dentists use dental crowns to restore smiles. When dentists suggest crowns, patients may not understand the ins and outs of the treatment. Having facts helps patients feel more informed about the procedure.
Patients may fear crowns will not feel like regular teeth. In reality, patients cannot usually distinguish between crowns and regular teeth. Dental crowns fit over natural teeth and may appear no different than a patient's regular teeth. Additionally, a patient can eat and speak like normal without using any other device.
A tooth extraction not only affects a patient's smile and confidence, but it can affect the jawbone and facial structure. The jawbone relies on the teeth for stimulation. Without stimulation, the jawbone begins to atrophy. In the case of decay or an abscess, a dentist can treat the tooth and protect it with a crown. The dental crown prevents recession.
When patients care for their crowns, the crowns can last for decades. On average, a crown may last for about 10 to 15 years, but some may last for up to 30. Caring for dental crowns involves treating bruxism and avoiding actions that may break or damage the crown. Additionally, regular brushing and flossing protect crowns. Patients should practice care not to abuse their teeth. Chewing ice cubes and biting open bottles or pencil tops can harm the teeth and cause damage to crowns. While difficult to damage, porcelain caps can crack or break when treated roughly.
One of the primary reasons patients seek crowns is to save the teeth. Dentists use crowns to treat cracked, broken, and infected teeth. Infection requires a root canal. The patient's tooth becomes more vulnerable to breakage and further infection following the root canal. To protect the tooth, dentists install a cap. The only other option for a crown is tooth extraction in many cases.
Patients missing multiple teeth can still benefit from bridgework. A bridge is a device that fills the gap with pontics or artificial teeth. The dentist has to connect the bridgework to natural teeth to put the teeth in place. Dentists use dental crowns to anchor the bridgework properly. Crowns can also top implants — the implants are anchored in the jawbone for extra stability.
To begin, the dentist takes steps to numb the area to ensure a patient's comfort. Next, they remove all diseased and decayed tissue. Once this is complete, the tooth is ground down and reshaped to resemble a cube or cylinder. This allows for an even surface that the crown can properly adhere to.
Scans or impressions are taken so the crown can be milled to the appropriate size and shape. The dentist will also match the color to the patient's natural teeth for a seamless look. The dentist places a temporary crown over the treated tooth until the final crown is ready, a process that typically takes two weeks to complete at an off-site lab. The patient returns to the office to have the temporary crown removed, and the permanent one is cemented in place. In some situations, an office may offer same-day crowns, where the permanent covering is milled in the office and no temporary option is needed.
For a tooth to be treatable by a crown, the root must be healthy and intact and there must be enough viable tooth tissue above the gum line to support the new cover. If this does not apply to a patient's situation, other treatments may be recommended. If the root cannot be repaired or the damage left little to no tooth material on the surface, the tooth will need to be extracted and replaced with a bridge, an implant, or a denture.
Dental crowns may be a worthwhile option for patients who require restorative dentistry. Crowns can restore a smile, function as regular teeth, and last for over a decade. Before a patient agrees to dental crowns, it may help the patient to learn as much as possible about the procedure to ensure an expected outcome.
Request an appointment here: https://drjosephmurray.com or call J.D. Murray DDS & Associates at (404) 410-2526 for an appointment in our East Point office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in East Point, GA.
It is possible to use dental crowns to restore teeth that have become damaged beyond repair, whether due to decay or trauma. A dentist may recommend this common type of treatment for a tooth that is: Seriously chipped Severely cracked or broken Weakened from numerous cavities or fillingsWhile the tooth can have extensive damage, it…
Looking for a general dentist? General dentistry is one of the more popular dental niches operating today, as general dentists perform the necessary general dental services that patients need on a regular basis. This type of dental professional is one who can be compared to a general practitioner, as they are a patient's first contact…
Looking for a cosmetic dentist because you are in need of one or more dental crowns? Many people are choosing to see this type of dentist when they are in need of one or more cosmetic services, with crowns being one of the more common restorative options needed. According to the American Dental Association, the…
Root canal treatment is often successful at repairing and saving an infected or severely damaged tooth. A crown can be used to restore your tooth after the procedure. But it needs to be put in place at the right time. Read on to learn more about when you should get a crown after a root…
Wondering what cosmetic dental services are available these days? Read on to explore some procedures and how they work together to give you the best possible smile. Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way, and now includes various cosmetic dental services for enhancing the smile's overall appearance.A beautiful smile is more important than ever in…
Dental implants are a leading choice for many patients when it comes to tooth replacement. Patients like the idea of a tooth replacement option resembling natural teeth. Dental implants look natural and perform like a permanent natural tooth. Therefore, there is no need to take the tooth replacement out daily for cleaning or worry about…