Dental Crowns: An Overview
Dental crowns are usually made of porcelain and will fit over the top of a tooth like a cap, completely encasing it. Dentists typically use them to restore a tooths function and appearance. They are necessary when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed. Laurel Smiles Dental Care offers ceramic porcelain crowns in Laurel, MD, that are natural looking and will blend in seamlessly with your smile.
Dentists also use dental crowns for other dental procedures. They use them to attach dental bridges, cover dental implants, prevent a cracked tooth from worsening, or cover a discolored tooth. This makes them a crucial part of our restorative dentistry solutions, as they often work alongside other treatments.
DENTAL CROWNS IN LAUREL, MD
As your trusted restorative dentist in Laurel, MD, we look forward to seeing if dental crowns can assist you in restoring your smile. Our goal is to provide you with a wealth of information to make a fully-informed decision on bettering your dental health. One of the best things about dental crowns is the variety of things dentists can use them for. Crowns have both cosmetic and restorative uses.
Cosmetically, dentists use professional teeth whitening to treat discolored teeth. However, not all discoloration responds to this treatment. Teeth that are damaged, dead, or have deep stains below the surface need a different solution. A dental crown covers the entire tooth, and we match the color to the shade you desire. If your tooth is misshapen or has a defect, a crown can cover this, restoring full function as well.
Crowns allow us to preserve natural teeth and avoid full tooth extraction. If a patient breaks their tooth severely, a crown keeps the pieces together and preserves the natural tooth root. A crown replaces a portion of the tooth that has broken off, restoring full function. Misshapen teeth can also cause problems with how you speak or eat. Crowns eliminate that issue and give you back a complete tooth.
Lastly, crowns are the top choice to stabilize a tooth after a root canal. Dentists remove infected material, and biocompatible material replaces it. However, dental crowns ensure that the tooth remains fully functional and keep the area sealed off from further infection. Custom dental crowns are the go-to choice to finish a dental implant. We model the crown after your existing teeth so that it blends in perfectly with your smile.
DENTAL CROWN FAQS
HOW DO DENTISTS APPLY DENTAL CROWNS?
Affordable dental crowns near you take about two or three visits to our office. We will take dental impressions of your mouth to ensure that the customized replacement crown fits discreetly into your smile. Then, we will file down the outer layer of the existing or damaged tooth to make space for the dental crown. Afterward, we place a temporary crown of composite resin on your tooth. We will call you back to our office when our labs create your porcelain crown. Then, we remove the temporary crown and firmly secure the porcelain crown using dental cement.
HOW LONG DO DENTAL CROWNS NEAR YOU LAST?
A dental crown could last up to 15 years, and sometimes longer, depending on your oral hygiene habits. It is very important to brush and floss your dental crown just as you would your natural teeth to avoid buildup around your gum line.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY CROWN FALLS OFF?
When you get your temporary crown, you should contact our office immediately if it falls out. Your exposed tooth can cause sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Additionally, your teeth could begin to shift, affecting the fit of your permanent crown. Our office will try to get you another temporary crown as soon as possible. Additionally, if your permanent crown becomes dislodged, you can secure it back into your mouth using over-the-counter dental glue and then contact our office so that we can make you an appointment for a crown replacement.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DENTAL CROWN AND A PORCELAIN VENEER?
A porcelain veneer is typically only used for cosmetic purposes, while a dental crown has more restorative value. A porcelain veneer covers only the front of your tooth, while a dental crown essentially replaces that tooth altogether. A consultation with your dentist will help you determine which method best meets your smiles needs.
WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO AFTER GETTING A CROWN?
After getting a crown, patients should avoid eating until the numbness in their mouth has worn off (at least 30 minutes after the procedure). They should also stick to a soft diet for a few days after the procedure. This gives them time to adjust to the crown.
CAN YOU FIX A CAVITY UNDER A CROWN?
If a cavity forms under a crown, the only way to fix it is to remove the only crown, remove all of the tooth decay, repair the cavity, and replace the crown with a new one.
We provide dental crowns in Laurel, MD, as a way to restore a damaged tooth. If you are interested in finding out if a dental crown can help restore your discolored, chipped, or cracked tooth, request an appointment with our doctors or call us today at 301-490-7007.