Dental Crowns
Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.
Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain “pasted on gold” crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe dental problems, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 20 to 30 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.
How long does it take to fit a dental crown?
Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown of either plastic or metal.
On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.
Key Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Replaces missing teeth
- Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
- Looks completely natural
- Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems
What are the capabilities of crowns?
Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused by accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. The material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.
Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.
What is the dental crown process like?
At Timberlake Dental, we utilize the latest advancements in dentistry, including CEREC same-day crowns, to make your visit as quick and easy as possible. Dr. Chowning will start by preparing your tooth, trimming the decayed tissue to create a solid base for the crown to attach to while preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Then, we will use a combination of modern digital imaging techniques, like 3D x-rays and our intraoral scanner to create a high quality picture of your smile in three dimensions. Utilizing CAD/CAM technology, a digital model of your new crown will be made. One of the benefits of this advanced technique is its flexibility; we can tweak the design to fit any variety of dental needs, ensuring a perfect fit every time.
Once the design is finalized, we’ll load the model into the CEREC milling machine, where your new crown will be crafted in a matter of minutes. After the crown is completed, it will be placed on the prepared tooth and secured in place.
If you are receiving a traditional crown, the process is largely the same, only you’ll first be fitted with a temporary crown and sent home while our labs craft your new tooth. In a few weeks, the temporary crown will be removed and the finished product will be fixed to your natural root or implant, and your smile will be restored.
How do I care for my dental crown?
Caring for dental crowns is easy, and isn’t much different than practicing good oral hygiene in general. However, here’s a few tips from Dr. Chowning.
- Brush carefully at least twice a day. Be careful not to brush too hard, (as this can damage healthy enamel and your gums), and try using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth if your crown or surrounding teeth become sensitive.
- Flossing daily is incredibly important for continued oral health. Getting into those hard-to-reach places can stretch the life of your dental crowns as well as your natural teeth.
- Avoid foods that are hard or extra crunchy. Chewing on hard foods like ice can crack your crown, causing unnecessary pain and discomfort, not to mention another trip to the dentist.
- Talk to Dr. Chowning about any teeth grinding or clenching you may do while you sleep. He may recommend a night guard to protect your grin.
Do dental crowns hurt?
When done properly, dental crowns are meant to relieve your dental pain, not cause it. During the procedure, you’ll be numbed with a local anesthetic, but we also offer a full range of sedation options. With minimally inhaled sedation (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation available, we can ensure that every patient is comfortable during their procedure, no matter their needs.
Additionally, our advanced imaging techniques allow us to operate with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency, so when preparing the tooth we are trimming away as little healthy tissue as possible. This allows us to stop tooth decay in its tracks and leave you with minimal pain and discomfort following treatment.
After getting your crown placed, you may experience some residual soreness or sensitivity, but over-the-counter pain medication and toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth are usually enough to alleviate any tenderness.
What happens if I don’t get a dental crown?
If Dr. Chowning has determined that you need a dental crown, chances are the tooth has decayed beyond what a filling or root canal can fix. If this is the case, and you don’t get a crown, the tooth may end up needing to be extracted to minimize the risk of infection, or of decay spreading to the rest of your grin. However, every smile is unique, so give us a call at (940) 382-1750 today to schedule a consultation and see if a dental crown can save your smile in Denton.