Have you ever wished for a picture-perfect smile? Chipped teeth, cracks, or stubborn stains can hold you back from showing off your brightest grin. But what if there was a way to restore your teeth’s natural beauty and functionality?
Dental crowns offer a powerful solution! In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of dental crowns, exploring how they can transform your smile.
We’ll also unveil incredible before and after photos that showcase the remarkable difference crowns can make. So, get ready to discover how dental crowns can boost your confidence and give you a smile you’ll love.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap used by dentists to restore weak, broken, or decayed teeth. It fits over the entire tooth, requiring a small amount of enamel removal before bonding. Crowns are made from resin, metal, zirconia, gold, and porcelain and are created by dental technicians.
Reasons for Getting Dental Crowns
Crowns are essential for various purposes such as strengthening weak teeth, protecting and supporting cracked teeth, restoring worn-down or broken ones, holding dental bridges, covering severely stained or discolored teeth, covering root canal-treated teeth, and dental implants.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are several types of dental crowns, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The best type for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, such as the location of the tooth, the amount of damage, your budget, and desired aesthetics.
Here are some of the most common types of dental crowns:
Metal Crowns
Dental technicians make dental crowns by using a variety of metals, such as nickel, chromium, palladium, and gold.
Metal crowns are the most durable, hardly chip or break, and only need a minimal amount of enamel removal. They are also resistant to chewing and biting pressures.
The primary disadvantage of this kind of crown is its metallic color. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) combine the natural appearance of porcelain with the strength of metal. Dentists match these crowns to the color of your natural teeth.
PFM crowns are strong, yet they have several disadvantages. For instance, the porcelain coating may break off and reveal the metal underlying over time.
Furthermore, the enamel on your opposing teeth—the teeth that come into contact with your crown when you close your mouth—may progressively deteriorate if you have PFM crowns.
PFM crowns have nearly the same lifespan as metal crowns. Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) can restore both front and back teeth.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Prefabricated stainless steel crowns are typically utilized as a temporary solution on permanent teeth. While a permanent crown is being created from a different material, the crown preserves the tooth or filling.
All-Resin Crowns
These crowns have the lowest price, but they also offer the least durability. Resin crowns are typically used as temporary crowns while a permanent crown is being made.
They can also be used for children’s teeth, which are eventually going to be replaced by adult teeth.
Same-day Dental Crowns
Dentists often create crowns in-office using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technology while you wait.
Your dentist can create a personalized crown by using this software to create digital dental imprints of your teeth.
Your dentist will transmit the picture files to an on-site milling machine after designing your crown. Your new crown will be crafted by the machine from a single, solid ceramic block.
One visit to the dentist is all that is required to obtain a dental crown thanks to CAD/CAM technology. Same-day crowns aren’t for everyone, though. Find out from your dentist whether you qualify.
All Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns
All ceramic or porcelain crowns are a popular choice due to their ability to mimic tooth enamel and are suitable for those with metal allergies.
Zirconium dioxide is a popular material used in ceramic crowns, which are durable, gentle on opposing teeth, and can withstand heavier forces.
The Dental Crown Procedure (Step-by-Step)
Getting a dental crown usually involves two appointments. Here is what happens during each dental crown procedure:
First Appointment: Preparation
Consultation and Examination
Your dentist will first discuss the reasons why you need a crown and examine the tooth in question. X-rays might be needed to assess the tooth’s root and surrounding bone.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the area around the tooth for a comfortable procedure.
Tooth Preparation
The dentist will remove any decay or damaged portions of the tooth. They will then reshape the tooth structure to create a solid foundation for the crown. The amount of tooth removed depends on the type of crown being used.
Taking Impressions
An impression of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth is taken. This impression can be a traditional putty-like mold or a digital scan. The impression is sent to a dental lab for creating your custom-made crown.
Temporary Crown Placement
A temporary crown made of acrylic or resin will be placed over the prepared tooth. This temporary crown protects the tooth until your permanent crown is ready.
Second Appointment: Placement
Removing Temporary Crown
The dentist will remove the temporary crown and examine the underlying tooth for any issues.
Permanent Crown Placement
The dentist will carefully check the fit and color of your permanent crown. They might make slight adjustments to ensure a proper and comfortable fit.
Cementation
Once everything is confirmed, the permanent crown will be cemented onto the prepared tooth.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
A dental crown can prolong the life of a natural tooth by treating worn, broken, or decayed teeth, protecting teeth from erosion, improving chewing function, and enhancing appearance. With proper care, it can last between five and 15 years.
Achieve a Smile Transformation at Enhance Dental Centre
Are you considering dental crowns to restore your smile’s confidence? At Enhance Dental Centre, our experienced dentists create beautiful, natural-looking crowns that blend seamlessly with your existing teeth.
We utilize advanced technology and high-quality materials to ensure a comfortable and successful crown placement process.
Browse our before and after photos to see the transformative power of dental crowns, and contact Enhance Dental Centre today to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can help you achieve your dream smile!
Real Patient Transformations: Before & After Photos
Caring for Your Dental Crowns
Keeping your dental crowns in tip-top shape goes a long way in ensuring their longevity and functionality. Here’s what you can do to care for your dental crowns:
Brushing and Flossing
Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing daily is crucial to remove plaque and food particles that can get trapped around the crown and the gumline.
Mindful Eating
Be cautious with hard and chewy foods like nuts, hard candy, or ice cubes. These can chip or crack your crown.
Sticky candies or foods can also cause problems by dislodging the crown or leaving behind residue.
Night Guard
If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), talk to your dentist about getting a custom-made night guard. This will protect your crown from the excessive pressure caused by bruxism.
Regular Dental Visits:
Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist. This allows them to monitor the health of the tooth and crown, identify any potential issues early on, and perform professional cleaning to remove built-up plaque and tartar.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid using abrasive toothpaste or hard-bristled brushes, as they can damage the crown’s surface.
- If your crown feels loose or chipped, contact your dentist immediately for a repair or replacement.
- Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash occasionally to keep bacteria in check.
Conclusion
Dental crowns offer a powerful solution for restoring both the health and beauty of your smile. If you have cracked, chipped, worn, or decayed teeth, crowns can provide a long-lasting and natural-looking restoration. Consider consulting with a dentist to see if dental crowns can be the answer to achieving your dream smile.
FAQs:
1- How long does a tooth crown last?
Dental crowns, with proper maintenance, can last 15 years, with patients potentially extending their lifespan to 30 years, while porcelain crowns can last 5-15 years.
2- What are the disadvantages of dental crowns?
- Removal of natural tooth enamel
- Potential for sensitivity
- Break or fracture over time
- Trap bacteria and lead to decay if they don’t fit properly
3- Are dental crowns painful?
During and after dental procedures, slight discomfort may occur, but pain is minimal and easily managed. Patients should discuss pain management options with a dental professional.
The post How Dental Crowns Can Transform Your Smile (Before & After Photos) first appeared on Enhance Dental CA.