A dental crown can serve many purposes. Wesley Dental uses it as a restorative dentistry treatment and a cosmetic dentistry treatment. Dental crowns are a common and essential dental treatment to help maintain the integrity of a damaged or weak tooth. Dr. Scott Marshall can provide a custom dental crown in Greenville, TX, with quality materials and advanced technology.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a customized cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth. Its purpose is to restore the tooth’s shape, strength, and functionality. We can craft a tooth crown from several materials, but we use porcelain.
A dental crown is created from impressions of the patient’s teeth and cemented into place. It contributes to functional and cosmetic aspects and offers a durable solution for tooth restoration.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns come in many materials. The cost of dental crowns often depends on the material and number of crowns you need. The most common type of dental crowns include metal, porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia crowns.
Traditional crowns use metal or gold. While these crowns are durable, they are noticeable in the mouth. Newer crowns use materials that match the shade of natural teeth.
Same-day dental crowns use ceramic materials. Ceramic is tooth-colored. Still, ceramic may not last as long as other options.
Zirconia is a hard material made of zirconium oxide. These crowns are strong and will not chip easily. However, these crowns are more expensive than other crowns.
Our office uses crowns made of porcelain, a translucent, tooth-like material that lasts for many years. This material matches the shade of natural teeth, lasts longer than ceramic, but costs less than zirconia.
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
A tooth crown can cover one or more teeth to provide protection or build up tooth structure. The many reasons why you may need a dental crown include:
- Tooth Decay: If your tooth has significant decay and your dentist cannot effectively treat it with a dental filling, we will use a dental crown. It will restore the tooth’s structure and protect it from further damage.
- Large Fillings: If your tooth has a large filling that encompasses a significant portion of the structure, we may suggest a crown to provide additional support and prevent fractures.
- Fractured or Cracked Tooth: Teeth with fractures or cracks may require the stability and protection that a tooth crown provides. A crown can hold the tooth together and prevent further damage.
- Root Canal Treatment: After a root canal procedure, your dentist will place a dental crown to protect the weakened tooth, restore its strength, and seal it against bacteria.
- Cosmetic Enhancements: We may suggest a dental crown for cosmetic purposes. They can improve the appearance of teeth with severe discoloration, irregular shape, or significant wear. Crowns provide a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.
- Misshapen or Disproportionate Teeth: Our dentist can use a dental crown to correct the shape or size of misshapen or disproportionately small teeth, to enhance overall dental aesthetics.
- Tooth Wear: Teeth grinding or worn down teeth may need dental crowns to rebuild and strengthen the teeth.
- Replacement of Large Fillings: When large fillings wear down over time, the tooth may become vulnerable to fractures. A tooth crown can replace the dental filling and protect the tooth.
- Prevention of Tooth Breakage: Teeth at risk of breaking due to factors like a weakened structure or compromised enamel may benefit from the protection offered by a crown.
The Benefits of a Dental Crown
Dental crowns offer various benefits. They are a versatile dental treatment, and dentists often recommend them. Here are some key advantages of dental crowns:
- Prevent further damage to a tooth
- Seal out bacteria
- Improve the appearance of the tooth
- Make the tooth stronger
- Prevent the progression of tooth decay
- Offer long-term durability (compared to teeth bonding)
- This prevents the need for an extraction
- Makes the tooth functional again
- Restores the structure of the tooth
The Dental Crown Procedure
The dental crown process typically spans two appointments at our Greenville, TX office. During your exam and consultation appointment, we will explain what to expect at these appointments.
The first one will involve preparing the tooth and taking impressions. The second appointment will focus on placing your permanent dental crown. The procedure aims to restore the tooth’s strength, functionality, and appearance while providing a durable and long-lasting solution.
Preparation
During your first appointment, we will focus on tooth preparation. Dr. Marshall will remove any decay or existing filling material. If the tooth is severely damaged, he may have to build it up to support the dental crown.
Impressions
We will take several impressions of your prepared tooth. One will serve as a mold for creating your custom, permanent crown. We will send it to a dental laboratory where skilled technicians will create it. We will color-match the crown to blend in with your surrounding natural teeth.
Temporary Crown
The other impression we will use to create a temporary dental crown in-office. While you wait for a dental lab to fabricate your permanent tooth crown to be fabricated, we will place a temporary crown. It will protect your vulnerable tooth and allow you to maintain functionality until your dental crown is ready.
Crown Placement
Once the permanent crown is ready, you will return to our office for the crown placement, which usually takes 2-3 weeks. We will remove the temporary crown and check the fit, color, and bite of the new tooth crown.
Dr. Marshall will make adjustments to ensure a proper fit and bite. Then he will cement the dental onto the tooth using dental adhesive. He will polish it to achieve a smooth surface and natural shine.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
After you get tooth crowns, practicing the proper care will help ensure your restoration lasts. First, avoid bad oral health habits. Crowns are strong like natural teeth. However, chewing on ice or using your teeth as tools can damage your crowns.
You can also brush and floss crowns like natural teeth. We recommend that you floss before brushing to remove food debris and bacteria from your crowns.
Then, when you brush your crowns, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid toothpaste with abrasive ingredients that can scratch your crowns. We will also help you schedule regular visits so we can ensure your crowns look and function properly.
Dental Crown FAQs
We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions concerning dental crowns in our Greenville, TX, dental office:
Can a cavity grow under a crown?
Yes, cavities can still form under a crown. If bacteria sneak in around the edges, they can cause decay in the tooth beneath. You can prevent this by regularly brushing, flossing, and attending dental check-ups.
Can I whiten my crown?
Unfortunately, crowns don’t respond to whitening treatments. The porcelain or ceramic material doesn’t bleach like natural teeth do. If your crown no longer matches your other teeth, we might need to replace it to achieve a uniform color.
How long does a dental crown last?
A dental crown typically lasts between 5 and 15 years, sometimes even longer. Its lifespan depends on factors like your oral hygiene, biting habits, and the material used. Taking good care of your crown helps it last as long as possible.
Is getting a crown painful?
Getting a crown shouldn’t be painful. We use local anesthesia to numb the area so you’ll stay comfortable during the procedure. Afterward, you might feel some sensitivity, but it usually goes away quickly.
Are dental crowns and caps the same?
Yes, a dental crown is a tooth cap. Crowns fully cover teeth like a cap for optimal protection. If you want a tooth cap, it will be the same as a dental crown.
Can a crown fall off?
Yes, a crown can sometimes come loose or fall off. This might happen if the cement weakens or there’s decay under the crown. If it does, keep the crown safe and see your dentist promptly to have it reattached.
What is the minimum tooth needed for a crown?
You need enough healthy tooth above the gum line to support a crown. If a large portion is missing, we might build up the tooth with filling material or use a post. We’ll determine the best approach for your situation.
Can I get a dental crown if I have gum disease?
Yes, you can get a dental crown if you have gum disease. However, we must treat the gum disease first. Gum disease can make it harder for the crown to stay in place.
If you think you may have gum disease, our dentist will check your gum health. Then, he will recommend a treatment plan to help improve your gum health before placing the crown. Once your gums are healthy, you can then get the dental crown.
Restore Your Tooth
If you have a weak, damaged, or decayed tooth, Dr. Marshall can provide you with a dental crown in Greenville, TX. You can reach us by calling Wesley Dental at 903-270-5279. Feel free to schedule an appointment online.