Porcelain Crowns: a Popular Cosmetic Dental Treatment
How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Help With Porcelain Crowns
Crowns fit nestled over a damaged tooth. Custom-made, they’re built to last and designed to fit your smile. There are many conditions that rely on crowns to preserve natural teeth. A person may need a crown after they undergo certain types of dental treatments. A large filling or a root canal can weaken a natural tooth, making it vulnerable to cracks, chips, and breaks. In these situations, a crown is needed to improve the strength of the tooth and prevent further damage.
How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Help With Correcting Minor Dental Imperfections
Dental recontouring can be used to correct issues such as:
- Teeth that are too point
- Uneven teeth
- Slight overlaps
- Tooth edges that are too flat
- Minor bite problems
- Small chips
What to Expect at Your Appointment
At a dental appointment, if a patient has not seen their dentist in over a year, they will require X-rays. If the dentist finds that one or more of the patient’s teeth are severely decayed and require root canals, crowns may be recommended. However, a root canal must be performed before a crown can be placed.
Initial Evaluation
As mentioned above, if it’s been a long time since you’ve been to the dentist, you will require X-rays and an exam. You may also receive a cleaning at this time. If your X-rays show that a tooth is severely decayed, cracked, or chipped, your dentist may recommend a crown.
Two additional appointments will be needed for this process.
- At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown.
- At the second appointment, the crown will be permanently placed.
Before a tooth can be prepared for a crown, your dentist must remove any decay, and perform a root canal or a filling. Next, they will remove a little enamel on the tooth to accommodate the crown. During this time, you’ll receive anesthesia to numb the tooth before the trimming process begins.
The next step is creating the mold. You must bite down on a tray filled with putty, for two to three minutes to get an impression of your teeth. This impression is then sent to a lab, where the porcelain crown will be created. The color of the porcelain will be selected to match the color of your other teeth.
At the same appointment, a temporary crown will be placed to protect the prepared tooth from damage while you wait for your custom-made crown to be created.
Options
Here are some common alternatives to porcelain crowns that your dentist may recommend
Inlays
If the area that requires treatment is located at the cusp of the tooth, your dentist may recommend inlays.
Inlays are commonly used when a simple filling will not suffice due to the size of the cavity. Inlays are created as a solid single piece used to fill the cavity and are cemented in place.
Onlays
Onlays work similarly to inlays and are used when the damage is not only located on the cusp. Onlays are made to cover the top of a tooth to strengthen it.
Veneers
Veneers are another alternative that works well for teeth in the front of the mouth, however, veneers are not often used for teeth that have significant damage, such as major cracks or decay. Instead, a veneer can be used if teeth are discolored, misshapen, or chipped. A crown is much stronger compared to a veneer and will last longer.
How Treatment Works – What to Expect
Post-Treatment Care
Make an Appointment to Learn How Porcelain Crowns Can Help You
Common Questions our Patients Have About Porcelain Crowns
How Long Do Porcelain Crowns Last?
Porcelain crowns can last 5 to 15 years if properly taken care of. How long a crown lasts can also depend on many other factors, including your oral hygiene habits, the wear, and tear placed on the crown, and whether you regularly see your dentist for checkups.
Is Porcelain Good for Crowns?
While other materials, such as metal, are more durable than porcelain, porcelain is often chosen for cosmetic purposes, since the color of the porcelain used for the crown will match the patient’s surrounding teeth, providing a natural smile.
Do Crowns On Front Teeth Hurt?
Getting a crown is not painful, thanks to the use of sedation and an anesthetic. Patients tend to only feel mild discomfort and soreness for a few hours after the crown has been placed.
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