Are your worn and damaged teeth impacting the comfort of your smile? Do you need to strengthen a weakened tooth following a root canal? Wayne Family Dentistry offers dental crowns in Wayne, PA for patients with weakened or damaged teeth. Tooth crowns are a restorative dentistry treatment that may be used to cover chipped, cracked, fractured, worn, weakened, and discolored teeth.
Crowns can also cap off dental implants and secure dental bridges. Dental crowns are porcelain ceramic caps that can fully cover a natural tooth. We make sure that your crowns fit properly and blend in with your natural smile.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, also known as a dental cap, is a type of dental restoration that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth. It will encase the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. The purpose of a crown is to provide protection, strength, and improving its appearance. Your dentist will suggest a dental crown in any of the following circumstances:
- Extensive tooth decay
- Fracture in a tooth
- Chipped tooth
- Large dental filling
- Replace a tooth along with a single dental implant
- Protect a tooth after a root canal treatment
- Whiten a tooth
Treatment with Dental Crowns
Typically, your dentist will discover you may need a dental crown a routine dental appointment. They will examine your tooth and discuss all your treatment options. If necessary, x-rays will be taken. Before treatment, we ensure that our patients are in good oral health. If needed, we can provide preliminary treatments, including periodontal disease treatment or tooth extractions to make sure that patients are good candidates for tooth crown treatment. The dental crown process will involve at least two dental appointments.
At your first of two dental crown appointments, your dentist will prepare your tooth that is receiving the tooth. We will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to limit your discomfort. Your dentist will remove a small portion of the outer layer of the tooth. This is to ensure that the crown fits properly. If the tooth is severely damaged or decayed, they may need to do additional shaping or build up the tooth.
Once the tooth is ready, the next step is to take dental impressions. We will send these impressions to a dental lab where they will fabricate your new, custom dental crown. We will take additional impressions and use them to create a temporary crown. Your dentist will cement it over the prepared tooth to protect it while you wait for your final restoration is ready. This typically takes around 2 weeks.
At your second dentist appointment, we will first remove the temporary dental crown. Your dentist will clean the tooth to prepare it for the final restoration. They will use a strong cement or bonding agent to place the tooth crown. Your dentist will make any final adjustments to ensure proper bite, shape, and comfort. The crown may be polished to achieve a natural-looking shine.
Dental Crown Aftercare
Dental crowns require regular oral hygiene practices. Essentially, this includes daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque, food, and debris. Regular check-ups are also very important to make sure the tooth crown is functioning as it should. We suggest that you avoid biting on hard objects or using excessive force to prevent damage. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is also very important. Your dentist can spot problems and address them to minimize damage. With these basic steps, your dental crown can last for many years.
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns are a common dental treatment used by dentists. We utilize them for restorative and cosmetic purposes. Learn more about treatment with crowns with answers to these common questions below:
How do I know if dental crowns are right for me?
The best candidates for dental crowns have healthy teeth and gums but need extra support for weakened or damaged teeth. We always make sure that patients are in good health before they receive dental crowns.
If needed, we will provide gum disease treatment or tooth extractions. For patients who need to replace missing teeth with crown-capped implants, we will make sure that they have enough bone tissue to support their dental implants.
What are inlays and onlays?
Similar to crowns, dental inlays and onlays are used to cover the chewing surface of the teeth. Also known as partial crowns, these indirect restorations are made of composite resin that blends in with the color of the natural tooth.
They protect molars and premolars if they are too damaged for a filling, but do not require a full crown. Inlays cover the tooth surface between the cusps or sides of the tooth. Onlays cover the tooth surface and the cusps.
Do dental crowns look natural?
Yes, professional dental crowns blend in with the natural smile and look just like natural teeth. This is because they are made of porcelain ceramic. Porcelain ceramic reflects light just like the natural tooth enamel.
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
The procedure to prepare your tooth for a dental crown is not painful. We will administer a local anesthetic numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. You will feel some some pressure and tugging while your dentist removes a portion of your tooth to create room for the crown. You may also experience some sensitivity or discomfort, however it is typically minor and does not last very long.
How long will my dental crown last?
How long your dental crown lasts will depend on several factors. These factors include the type of material used to make the crown, your oral hygiene practices, the amount of bite force you use, and overall dental care. On average, a dental crown should last between 5-15 years. The better you care for it and your oral health, the longer it will last. However, they are not meant to last forever and will degrade overtime from normal wear and tear.
What is a temporary dental crown?
A temporary crown is necessary to protect the tooth in between dental appointments. At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth which will leave it vulnerable. However, you will have to wait about 2 weeks for your permanent crown to come in. We will fit you for a temporary crown which you will wear for those 2 weeks. It is important to remember that it will not be as strong or durable as a permanent dental crown.
Request a Dental Consultation
Are you interested in restorative treatment with dental crowns? Contact Wayne Family Dentistry for a consultation today at 610-347-5133. Request a dental appointment with our team on our website. If you have further questions or oral health concerns, let our dental team know at your next dental visit. They will be happy to assist you.