Restoring Appearance and Function with Dental Crowns
Is your smile affected by weakened, damaged, or decayed teeth? Dental crowns, offered at Leading Dental Solutions in Lansdale, PA, are custom tooth-shaped dental restorations that are placed over a damaged or badly decayed tooth to restore its function and appearance. Dr. David M. Kaffey may recommend crowns as a cosmetic treatment to improve the look of short or worn teeth, while others patients enjoy both the restorative and aesthetic benefits of this solution.
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a type of restoration that is placed over a tooth that has been weakened, decayed, or otherwise damaged. Dental crowns can be used to protect a broken tooth, anchor a dental bridge, cover a dental implant, or provide support after root canal therapy. Crowns are made of porcelain, zirconia, and porcelain-fused-to-metal, making them very durable. Additionally, dental crowns are designed to match the color of your teeth, allowing them to seamlessly blend with your smile.
Patients with missing teeth can also find relief from dental crowns. If you are missing a tooth, your dentist may use a dental implant to establish an artificial tooth root before restoring it with a dental crown. In some cases, crowns can be used to hold a dental bridge, which restores multiple missing teeth. Dental crowns have versatile applications with both restorative and cosmetic qualities, making them one of the most popular dental treatments.
Some patients use crowns solely as a cosmetic treatment to improve the look of short or worn teeth, while others enjoy both the restorative and aesthetic benefits of dental crowns.
Candidacy
Candidates for dental crowns have one or more compromised teeth, but are in otherwise good oral health.You may be a candidate for a dental crown if one or more of your teeth are:
- Broken
- Chipped
- Cracked
- Decayed
- Discolored
- Missing
Placing the Crown
During your initial consultation at Leading Dental Solutions, your dentist will assess your tooth to determine if it needs a crown. He will discuss your options, and answer any questions you may have. The dentist will first perform a routine cleaning and detailed dental health exam. If you are missing a tooth and need a dental implant, your dentist will also examine your jawbone health. Based on the exam, your dentist will recommend any necessary prerequisite treatment, such as bone grafting.
Your dentist will first address any health issues with your tooth. This can involve removing damaged tissue, or performing a root canal. Next, your dentist will gently shape the tooth to accommodate the crown. Properly shaping the tooth will allow your bite to meet evenly and comfortably once your crown has been placed.
Next, your dentist will take impressions of your tooth and send them to a lab to guide the fabrication of your crown. A temporary crown will be placed on your tooth until the permanent restoration is ready. The temporary crown can indicate what your permanent restoration will look and feel like, so it is important to note any concerns and report them to your dentist. Your temporary crown will be bonded using a weak adhesive, so you should use caution when eating, brushing, and flossing.
Your permanent crown should be ready for placement about two weeks after your initial appointment. At this time, your dentist will examine your tooth, remove the temporary crown, and place the permanent crown with a stronger adhesive. Once it is placed, your dentist will polish and smooth the crown until your bite is even and the crown feels natural.
Contact Our Practice Today
If you are suffering with a damaged or worn tooth, you can depend on Dr. Kaffey to provide a crown that restores the health, balance, and appearance of your smile. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.
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