Do tooth problems like decay, fractures, or large cavities affect your self-confidence? Consider dental crowns as a solution to improve both your smile and oral health. These custom-made covers restore damaged or weakened teeth, enhancing their strength, shape, and overall appearance.
Join us on a comprehensive exploration of when dental crowns become necessary, their uses, procedures, and maintenance. Let us put an end to your search for a “dental clinic near me.” Keep reading to learn more.
When to Use Dental Crowns
In an article, Dr. Steve Horne from the University of Southern California explains that dental crowns are a must-have solution for serious dental problems. These versatile crowns can effectively restore your smile and oral health, providing the necessary protection and enhancement you need.
Below are some cases that can require anyone to get dental crowns:
Tooth Damage from Sports Injuries or Falls
Playing sports or experiencing accidents can cause damage to your teeth, resulting in issues like cracking, fracturing, or chipping. These damages can leave your tooth vulnerable, necessitating prompt protection and repair.
Dental crowns are the perfect fix for these problems. Your dentist will skillfully create and place custom crowns over your damaged tooth. The crown acts like a strong shield, protecting your tooth from further harm.
With dental crowns, you can preserve your damaged tooth and avoid needing removal. This treatment offers a long-lasting and reliable solution for both oral health and aesthetics in the long run.
Worn-Down Teeth
Dental crowns are a suitable solution for repairing teeth that have worn down due to grinding, acid erosion, or aging. The tooth is vulnerable to damage and sensitivity when the enamel wears away.
If your teeth are significantly worn down, your dentist can create custom dental crowns that fit over the affected teeth, rebuilding their shape and function. The crown is designed precisely to fit well and protect the tooth.
Dental crowns are necessary in preserving your natural teeth and avoiding more invasive treatments like extractions or major dental work. With crowns, you’ll have stronger teeth and a healthier mouth, giving you the confidence to smile and eat comfortably.
Support for Dental Bridges
Dental bridges, specifically designed to replace missing teeth, receive optimal support from dental crowns. If you have a gap resulting from a missing tooth, your dentist will use a custom-made dental bridge to fill the space, while dental crowns anchor it securely to the healthy neighboring teeth.
These crowns create a stable foundation for the dental bridge, keeping it secure and restoring your ability to chew and speak properly. They stop neighbouring teeth from moving into the gap, ensuring your bite remains aligned and preventing potential oral health problems.
Cosmetic Purposes
This procedure can improve your teeth and smile if you seek dental crowns for cosmetic reasons. Crowns are specifically designed to cover discoloration or imperfections in your teeth, providing a seamless match to your natural teeth in colour, shape, and size.
Cosmetic dental crowns offer incredible benefits, making your smile brighter, more symmetrical, and visually appealing. They can significantly boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
You can experience life-changing results with cosmetic crowns, leading to better social interactions. You’ll be able to smile confidently in personal and professional settings and feel more positive about yourself and your appearance.
Why You Need Dental Examinations and X-rays
Dr. Jennifer Archibald, a general dentist in the US and Canada, explains that your dentist will conduct dental examinations and X-rays to determine if dental crowns are the right treatment for you.
Your dentist carefully assesses your teeth, gums, and overall oral health during dental examinations. After root canal treatment, they look for common issues like tooth decay, cracks, fractures, large cavities, and weakened teeth. These problems often call for dental crowns to restore and protect damaged teeth.
X-rays or radiographs provide detailed images of your teeth and their supporting structures below the gumline. These images reveal hidden dental problems that can’t be visible during a visual exam. It helps dentists assess the extent of tooth decay, the health of tooth roots, and the underlying jawbone.
This process helps them diagnose dental issues and decide if dental crowns are the right treatment option for you.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Based on an article recently published by Kidodent, we’ll walk you through the dental crown procedure, including tooth preparation and placement.
Understanding this important dental treatment will help you make informed decisions about your oral health and ensure a smooth and successful dental crown experience.
- Tooth Preparation: The procedure begins with your dentist preparing your tooth for the crown. They will remove any decayed or damaged parts of the tooth and shape it to fit the crown. If you prefer, you can request anesthesia from your dentist to make the procedure painless and comfortable.
- Taking Impressions: After preparing the tooth, your dentist takes impressions of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. These impressions act as a mould to create a custom dental crown that perfectly fits your tooth and aligns with your bite.
- Temporary Crown: While the permanent crown is being made in a dental lab, your dentist will place a temporary crown over the prepared tooth to protect it. This temporary crown is made from a different material and is less strong than the final one.
- Crown Fabrication: The dentist sends the impressions to the dental lab after taking them. There, skilled technicians use materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination to craft the permanent crown. These materials are selected for their strength and natural appearance.
- Crown Placement: Once the permanent crown is ready, you will return to your dentist’s office for its placement. Your dentist will carefully check the crown’s fit and appearance to ensure it blends perfectly with your natural teeth.
- Bonding the Crown: The final step is when your dentist uses dental cement to bond the crown to the prepared tooth. They will ensure the crown is securely placed and adjust the bite if needed for the most comfortable fit.
Materials Used
Dental crowns come in different materials, each with special qualities and durability. The most common materials used for dental crowns are:
- Porcelain: Porcelain crowns are popular because they look like natural teeth and have a similar translucent quality. They are commonly used for front teeth and areas where appearance matters most. But, they could not be as strong as other materials and can be more prone to chipping.
- Ceramic: Ceramic crowns are just like porcelain crowns in appearance, but they are more durable. They work well for front and back teeth and can handle biting and chewing forces effectively.
- Metal: Metal crowns, usually made from strong alloys like gold or silver, are durable and can last long. They are great for molars at the back of the mouth, which endure a lot of chewing pressure. But, their metal appearance makes them less ideal for visible front teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): PFM crowns offer the finest results, with the natural look of porcelain and the strength of metal. They are a versatile choice for both front and back teeth. However, the metal lining can create a visible dark line near the gum line, which could impact the overall appearance.
- Zirconia: These crowns are strong and natural-looking dental crowns made from zirconium oxide. They are a great choice for your back teeth because they can withstand chewing forces well. They don’t easily chip or crack, making them a reliable, long-lasting option for fixing damaged teeth.
How To Maintain Your Dental Crowns
Follow these simple tips to keep your dental crowns in great condition and make them last longer. Dr. Erin Erickson, a dentist in New York, shares an aftercare instruction that will help you maintain your dental crowns.
- Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and paying extra attention to the area around the crown.
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard objects to avoid damaging the crown.
- Use non-abrasive toothpaste to preserve the crown’s surface.
- Ensure regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist can check the condition of the crowns, spot any issues early on, and make necessary adjustments. They will also clean hard-to-reach areas around the crown, preventing plaque buildup and potential problems in the future.
Maple Ridge Dentistry: Crafting the Perfect Crown
At Fountain Aesthetics, our experienced dentists use advanced techniques and high-quality materials to craft custom-made dental crowns. These crowns are designed to be durable, functional, and natural-looking.
Whether you need crowns for damaged teeth, aesthetic improvements, or dental bridge support, our skilled dentists in Canada will create personalized treatment plans just for you.
Dental crowns are excellent solutions for dental issues like tooth damage, worn-down teeth, dental bridge support, and cosmetic enhancements. For the optimum advice, look for a “dental clinic near me” and choose us at Westgate Dental Centre. Our skilled dentist in Maple Ridge can assess your oral health and create personalized treatment plans for a healthy, beautiful smile.
