Do you have a tooth that has sustained major damage or decay? Restorative dentistry is the answer to help you recover a healthy smile. Specifically, a dental crown can give your damaged tooth the royal treatment. At Town Center Dental, Dr. Knott utilizes tooth-colored Emax or zirconia crowns to ensure the most natural-looking result without sacrificing durability. Contact our team to schedule a consultation!
A dental crown is a customized cap placed on top of a damaged tooth. It is used to protect, cover, and restore the shape of your tooth when a filling will not solve the problem. Dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, but we offer Emax or zirconia because they blend in with your smile while also offering maximum protection. They typically do not require special care over time other than good oral hygiene.
The crown restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. There is an array of potential reasons you might need a dental crown, such as protecting a weak tooth from breaking, restoring a broken tooth, holding a dental bridge in place, covering a dental implant, shielding a tooth that’s been treated with a root canal, and covering a tooth that is misshapen or discolored.
You will typically have two appointments to get dental crowns in Garland. During the first visit, the tooth that’s going to receive the crown is examined and prepared. X-rays are taken of the tooth and the bone around it.
Once your dentist determines that you do not need a root canal before your crown procedure, they will file the tooth down across the top and sides to create space. The amount of tooth filed depends on the type of crown you are getting. If too much of your tooth is missing, a filling material can be used to build sufficient tooth structure.
Then, an impression is made of the tooth receiving the crown and the tooth below it so as not to affect your bite. The impressions are sent to a lab and in the 2-3 weeks to follow, you will wear a temporary crown prepared by your dentist in Garland. On the second visit, the temporary one is removed, and your permanent crown is cemented in place.
However, if you prefer a quicker method of treatment, be sure to ask about CEREC same-day crowns that can be crafted in-house while you wait!
The primary benefit of a dental crown is that it can restore your damaged or broken tooth to full function. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A crown can improve your appearance since it matches the color and texture of other teeth. If your teeth have changed over the years due to nighttime grinding (bruxism), crowns and a nightguard can revitalize and safeguard your smile.
If you require a large filling or a root canal, a crown can provide strength and protection for that tooth. It can add stability to a dental bridge while protecting surrounding teeth. Also, consider that a dental crown can last 5-15 years and perhaps more depending on the material and your oral hygiene habits, plus getting one is a relatively simple process as mentioned above.
Do you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth? If so, then you can effectively restore its look and function with dental crowns. While you can expect to enjoy the benefits of improving the appearance and strength of your tooth, it’s normal to want to know as much as you can about your treatment before committing to it. Our team at Town Center Dental is happy to share and answer some of the most common questions we get about dental crowns in Garland. Read along or reach out to us today if you wish to learn more!
Since your dental crowns will eventually need to be replaced, they aren’t considered a permanent restoration solution. The only irreversible aspect of your procedure is tooth preparation. Dr. Knott will likely need to shave down a small portion of your enamel to fit the crown properly, which will not grow back on its own. Once this process is finished, you’ll need to keep the area covered with a dental cap moving forward. However, you can expect your restoration to last around 5 to 15 years with proper care. Solid oral hygiene, a healthy lifestyle, and regular dental appointments will help maximize the lifespan of your dental crowns.
Dr. Knott will make sure to numb your mouth before beginning any work for your treatment. While you might not experience any discomfort during your preparation phase, we might not have to provide a topical anesthetic for your final crown placement. Our team will do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. You might feel somewhat sensitive for a few days following your final placement, but this can easily be managed by taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
You will not be able to whiten your dental crown like you would your natural teeth. This is mainly due to the restoration being non-porous, which won’t allow the bleaching agents to penetrate the surface of your restoration. If you wish to have a beautifully whitened smile, consult Dr. Knott about undergoing teeth whitening before having your dental crown placed. This way your new tooth can match seamlessly with the rest of your pearly whites!
The best way to determine if your dental crown requires a replacement is for our team to take X-rays or physically examine your restoration. Here are some of the common signs that your new tooth might need to be changed out for a new one:
