At Yardley Dental Arts, we often encounter patients with questions about dental crowns – what they are, when they are needed, and how they can help. Understanding dental crowns is key to appreciating their role in maintaining dental health and a beautiful smile. Let’s delve into the world of crowns and discover their importance in dentistry.
A dental crown is a custom-fitted cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. When a crown is cemented into place, it fully encases the visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials.
To Protect a Weak Tooth: If a tooth is weakened by decay or a large filling, a crown can protect and hold it together, preventing further damage.
Restoration After a Root Canal: Following a root canal treatment, a tooth is often left fragile and prone to fracture. A crown can provide the necessary protection and strength.
To Restore a Broken or Worn Down Tooth: Crowns can restore the structure of a tooth that is broken, cracked, or severely worn down.
To Cover a Dental Implant: Crowns are used to cover dental implants, providing a tooth-like shape and structure for function and appearance.
Cosmetic Enhancement: For aesthetic purposes, crowns can be used to cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth, enhancing your smile’s appearance.
Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: These are popular for their natural color, which can be matched to your natural teeth. They are a preferred choice for people with metal allergies and are commonly used for front teeth.
Gold and Metal Alloys Crowns: Known for their durability and strength, these crowns are a good choice for back teeth where the forces from chewing and grinding are most prevalent.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns: Offering both strength (due to their metal structure) and aesthetics (due to the porcelain coat that matches the tooth color), PFM crowns are a common choice.
Getting a crown typically requires two visits to the dentist:
First Visit: The tooth is examined and prepared. The dentist reshapes the tooth and takes an impression to create the crown. A temporary crown is put in place to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
Second Visit: The permanent crown is fitted, adjusted, and cemented into place.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
With proper care, dental crowns can last for many years. Good oral hygiene practices, avoiding habits like grinding or clenching teeth, and regular dental check-ups are essential for the longevity of your crown.
Dental crowns play a vital role in restorative dentistry, offering solutions for damaged or compromised teeth while also providing cosmetic benefits. At Yardley Dental Arts, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care, ensuring that your dental crown not only restores functionality but also contributes to a confident and radiant smile. Schedule your appointment today!
"My mission is to always provide extraordinary dental care in a compassionate setting. At Yardley Dental Arts, quality is key! We are NOT a high volume, high turnover office. We are patient centric office. Our practice model allows for concierge service and exclusive one on one time with the doctor and the hygienists. We pride ourselves on using premier materials, labs and the latest in dental technology including our GREEN CT 3D SCANNER, delivering high quality images at a fraction of the radiation as compared to the standard. This allows for fully customized treatment plans focusing on your specific needs and comfort level.
It’s a pleasure to serve you and your family for your comprehensive dental needs. Every one of us is passionate about what we do, and it shows! I look forward to meeting you."
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