Are one or more of your teeth decayed, cracked, or otherwise damaged? If so, your quality of life may be negatively impacted by difficulty chewing without pain. The good news is that our dedicated dentist, Dr. Dann, can help. When a filling or cosmetic bonding will not suffice to repair a tooth, then he may recommend a dental crown instead. If you’d like to learn more about this natural-looking, custom, and durable restorative dental treatment, schedule an appointment with us or read on!
Also called dental caps, dental crowns are typically used to protect a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury. However, their versatility allows them to help with other oral health issues as well. For example, it can protect a tooth that was treated with root canal therapy. Furthermore, it can be attached to a dental implant to create a lifelike tooth replacement. Lastly, crowns are placed on abutment teeth to anchor a replacement for a missing tooth.
When you choose Dr. Dann and his team at Dentistry Asleep to place your dental crown, you can not only count on a crown that will look beautiful and function like a natural tooth, but also a procedure that is free of anxiety and all discomfort. As a Certified Specialist in Dental Anesthesia, Dr. Dann offers a range of sedation techniques from mild sedation, such as nitrous oxide, to moderate sedation with IV sedation. You and he will decide which form of sedation is best for you based on your level of anxiety.
As for the procedure itself, Dr. Dann will prepare the tooth receiving a crown and take a molded impression to send to our dental lab. While your permanent restoration is fabricated, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth and provide functionality. When your new crown is ready, you’ll return to our office for Dr. Dann to adhesively bond the crown into place.
Although a crown is intended to preserve a tooth and restore its function, crowns today seamlessly blend with your other teeth and are more lifelike in appearance than ever before. In fact, we use porcelain-fused-to-metal or ceramic, which can both be precisely color-matched to your existing teeth for a natural appearance.
Of course, that isn’t the only benefit of dental crowns. In addition to being extremely lifelike and durable, they are easy to care for! To keep your restoration in pristine condition, brush and floss as usual, paying particular attention to the area where the crown meets the gum. Also, try to avoid using your crown to bite down on hard foods.
Last, but most certainly not least, dental crowns can last for decades at a time with proper care.
Dental crowns are a versatile solution to an array of dental problems. Even though they are a very common way to beautifully repair damaged teeth and strengthen weakened smiles, it’s natural to have a few questions about them. Below, you’ll find a short list of some of the most frequently asked questions Dr. Dann gets about dental crowns. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact your friendly team at Dentistry Asleep and we’ll be happy to help!
In the past, dental crowns were typically created from shiny metals that were very noticeable in a row of pearly whites. Thankfully, at Dentistry Asleep, we use high quality dental ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal for a seamlessly lifelike way to repair your smile. These materials are well known for how closely they resemble the appearance of natural, healthy tooth enamel. What’s more, they’re just as durable as metal crowns and can withstand the daily pressure of talking and chewing for years with the proper care.
To ensure your new crown can fit in with the surrounding teeth comfortably, a thin layer of enamel will need to be removed from the afflicted tooth. While this may sound daunting, we apply a local anesthetic to completely numb the area before we begin, so you should feel very comfortable throughout your entire treatment. However, if you’re feeling particularly nervous, we also offer a variety of sedation dentistry options to ensure you are as at-ease as possible when taking care of your smile. As a Certified Specialist in Dental Anesthesia, Dr. Dann will help you decide which form of sedation is right for you based on your unique concerns.
While your dental crown will go a long way in protecting the tooth underneath from damage and decay, it’s not invincible. Plaque and bacteria won’t be able to burn through your dental crown, but they may be able to slip under its edge if allowed to accumulate along the gumline around its base. What’s more, since the tooth underneath has thinned enamel, it’s particularly vulnerable to cavities. Thankfully, a thorough daily dental routine is all that’s typically needed to keep your restored tooth happy and healthy. Make sure you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, floss between your teeth, and rinse with mouthwash on a daily basis to care for your dental crown as well as your natural teeth.
There are a variety of factors that influence the lifespan of a dental crown. Great at-home oral hygiene and biannual checkups with your dentist can help your dental crown last for many years to come. However, excess wear and tear from teeth grinding, chewing on your fingernails, or using your teeth to open packages can cut its lifespan much shorter than expected. Typically, as long as you take care of it and break bad chewing habits, you can expect your dental crown to last 10-15 years or more.