Porcelain Crowns: a Popular Cosmetic Dental Treatment
Crowns act the same as natural teeth, so after one has been placed, you must take care of it the same as you would your natural teeth by brushing and flossing regularly, and seeing your dentist for routine exams and cleanings.
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
If you’ve been hiding your smile all these years, porcelain crowns can provide the type of beautiful instant results that will have you smiling again. Contact Stuart Curry Dentistry today at (205) 972-3831 to schedule an exam or book an appointment online and let us help restore your smile and your confidence.
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.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
We're accepting new patients from Vestavia Hills, Cahaba Heights, and the surrounding area. We work with most major dental insurance plans, and our front desk verifies your benefits before your visit so you know what's covered. For treatments that aren't fully covered or for patients without dental insurance, we offer transparent estimates upfront. No surprises.
Call or schedule online to book your first visit. New-patient appointments include a comprehensive exam, the X-rays we need to see what's going on, a cleaning where appropriate, and time to talk through anything you'd like to plan for.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a crown instead of a filling?
Dr. Curry always tries a standard filling first. When a tooth is broken, chipped, or decayed to the point a filling won’t hold, a crown is the next step, fully covering the tooth to restore its strength, shape, and natural appearance. He’ll confirm the right option at your visit.
What other reasons might call for a crown?
Other reasons include large or leaking metal fillings that need replacing, extensive decay, a tooth that has had a root canal, or an old crown that needs replacing. A crown can also fix the dark line that shows at the gumline of an older crown. Dr. Curry reviews which applies to you.
What are crowns made of?
Porcelain (tooth-colored) crowns are the most popular because they look like natural teeth; they can be all-porcelain or porcelain over a metal framework. All-metal crowns in gold or other alloys are also available and very durable for back teeth. Dr. Curry reviews each option and its cost before you decide.
How long do porcelain crowns last?
With proper care, porcelain crowns are highly durable and commonly last 10 to 15 years or longer. To protect them, avoid chewing ice or hard candy, wear a nightguard if you grind, and keep up regular cleanings so Dr. Curry can catch any wear early and keep your crown looking natural.
Will people be able to tell I have a crown?
When done correctly, a crown fully encases the visible tooth and is custom-made to match its original shape, color, width, and height, so no one should be able to tell it’s there. Dr. Curry shade-matches each crown so your restored tooth blends seamlessly with the teeth around it.
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