Dental crowns can help restore both the functionality and appearance of a smile. At Rivers Family Dentistry, we understand that some people may be wondering what a dental crown is and how we place them on patient's teeth. While the internet can offer possible answers, certain sources may not have all the facts straight. Here are necessary and accurate facts about dental crowns.
A dental crown is a prosthetic device placed over a damaged tooth. Also known as a dental cap, or just a cap for short, the dental crown is one of the most powerful tools a dentist has in their tool belt. When a tooth is beyond traditional treatment methods, we can use the cap or dental crown to cover up the damage and save the tooth. While this may not sound incredibly exciting, the fact that we can prevent the spread of infection, minimize damage, and even help a tooth function like normal is a major win for dentists and their patients everywhere.
This is a very important question because dental crowns are one of the most versatile tools a dentist has. Teeth that have severe damage can be excellent candidates for dental crowns. For example, a tooth that has decay can benefit from a dental crown. Similarly, teeth that experience some level of trauma can all use the restorative, strengthening, and protective covering of a dental crown.
When we cannot repair a tooth with a typical filling or runs too high of a risk of infection, we will look to dental crowns as a possible option. In other cases, the tooth may have been lost altogether, in which case, we can replace it with a dental crown in conjunction with a dental implant. Consisting of a variety of materials, dental crowns look and feel like a real tooth. A dental crown will fit in seamlessly with the rest of the teeth, leaving no trace that it is actually ceramic or porcelain.
We place dental crowns over the course of two separate appointments. The first appointment is where we measure the mouth, shave down the enamel to make way for the dental crowns, and create a perfect implant of the teeth. We will then send these measurements to the laboratory, which will manufacture a perfect set of dental crowns The patient will then leave the first visit with a set of temporary crowns. On the second visit, we will place the permanent crowns, ensure that they fit perfectly, and cement them in place.
While the cost of dental crowns is usually covered by insurance, getting a crown can still be an expensive and time-consuming process. Once the crown is in place, it can be tempting to forget about it and continue your normal habits, but not being mindful of your tooth restoration could lead to you having to…
A dental crown is a cap that fits over a person’s tooth. A crown is commonly used to restore decayed, missing, or cracked tooth structure. Whether a dental crown is ideal for you will depend on the condition of your teeth and the issue you are trying to fix. Read on to find out more…
If you've been told you need dental crowns or want to know more about them, here's an explanation of what they are and how they're used to protect your tooth from damage caused by decay, injury, or other factors. The following article provides some information about the materials used to make crowns and their benefits…
Wondering how often a general dentist places a dental crown? The fact that dental crowns are one of the more common types of dental restorations that patients undergo to improve their oral health makes dental crown placement a very popular option for repairing teeth. Ready to learn more?It is essential for anyone who is in…
Having a beautiful smile is crucial for many people. However, not everyone is pleased with their smile. Veneers are a wonderful treatment option that can be used to help improve the appearance of teeth. These thin, tooth-colored shells are typically made out of porcelain and cover the entire surface of the tooth.Veneers are customized and…
People who are uncomfortable about small gaps between their teeth can use veneers to erase the extra spaces and bring uniformity back to their mouth. Cosmetic dentistry can restore both function and appearance to teeth when trauma, loss, or discoloring has occurred. Rather than avoiding social interaction, family pictures, or the occasional selfie, look into…