A dental crown is a tooth-colored cap that we place over one or more teeth to repair their functionality and appearance. Dental crowns are restorative dentistry treatments that address problems like damaged, worn, and injured teeth. Do you think a crown may be suitable for your smile? Please contact our office; we’ll happily answer any questions about dental crown treatment in our Cedar Park, TX, dental office.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth. Dentists use crowns to restore the tooth’s size, shape, and strength while improving how it looks. We will create your custom dental crown in our Cedar Park, TX, office to fit over your tooth and blend in with your natural teeth.
Dental crowns can:
- Protect a tooth weakened by decay or cracks.
- Restore a broken or worn-down tooth.
- Cover a tooth after a root canal.
- Support a dental bridge.
- Cover a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
What Can Dental Crowns Do?
Dental crowns and bridges provide various restorative and cosmetic purposes. They offer:
Cosmetic Dental Solutions
Discolored teeth are among the most common complaints in our office. Traditionally, professional teeth whitening is the go-to treatment for tooth discoloration.
However, not all stains respond to traditional whitening techniques, and we may need a different option. We color-match dental crowns to match the shade of white you desire. A crown covers the entire tooth, ensuring everything is that shade of white.
Misshapen and disfigured teeth are other cosmetic problems that patients have. But these teeth can also impact how you eat or speak. This depends on the location of your tooth and your tooth damage.
A crown can restore the tooth’s look and function. We ensure the crown matches the size and shape of the rest of your teeth so that it blends in perfectly.
Strength to Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses for a crown is to strengthen and stabilize the tooth after a root canal. We seal the tooth after a root canal, but we want to ensure that your tooth retains its full function and completely seals it against future infection. Our office can recommend a crown to provide extra protection for your tooth.
Traditional dental bridges use two natural teeth as anchor teeth to support the restoration. It puts a lot of pressure on your natural teeth. They wear down faster and are more likely to suffer from tooth decay, breakage, and other dental problems. Dental crowns can fortify the anchor teeth. Instead of the natural tooth structure taking on the stress, the tooth crowns do.
Treatment for Severe Decay and Damage
Our office takes a conservative approach to dentistry. We want to preserve the natural tooth root whenever possible, as losing the tooth root has detrimental impacts.
Crowns are usually the last resort for severely damaged or decayed teeth. They can hold together broken pieces of a tooth or return stability to a tooth when much of the structure is removed due to decay.
If you grind your teeth, you may have problems when you bite and chew. TMJ problems can increase your risk of tooth damage. Crowns protect your teeth by preventing severe damage and decay before it begins.
A Final Restoration for Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement because they look and feel the most like natural teeth. This is partly because a dental crown is usually used to complete the restoration.
We create dental crowns so that they match all of the qualities of your regular teeth. Before, crowns would be made of metals that stood out compared to the rest of your smile. This isn’t the case with modern ceramic ones.
Please get in touch with our office for dental problems, including tooth damage and wear. During a consultation, we will examine your teeth and decide if a dental crown is best for your smile.
Because dental crowns use tooth-colored materials, they easily blend in with other teeth in the smile. We customize them to match the shape and shade of natural teeth. Our office also uses dental crowns in dental bridge treatment by covering natural teeth with crowns and securing false teeth.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dentists can make tooth crowns out of multiple materials. Common materials include:
Metal Crowns
Traditional metal crowns use gold or other strong metal alloys. These crowns are very durable and can withstand heavy chewing and biting forces. However, because of their metallic color, they don’t blend in with natural teeth. Even when placed on molars at the back of the mouth, they can still be visible when you smile or talk.
Porcelain or Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
These crowns offer both strength and aesthetics. PFM crowns have a metal core covered with a layer of porcelain that matches the color of natural teeth. This design makes them durable while looking more natural. However, if your gums recede over time, the metal underneath the porcelain may become visible as a dark line near the gumline.
Pure porcelain crowns are entirely made of tooth-colored materials. They provide the best natural appearance. Our office prefers them over other options. Tooth-colored crowns provide durability and improve the look of teeth. Porcelain can reflect light like natural teeth.
Ceramic Crowns
Same-day dental crowns use ceramic, which can be created and placed in a single dental visit. Like porcelain, ceramic is tooth-colored and blends well with natural teeth. However, ceramic may not be as strong as porcelain, making it better suited for front teeth that don’t experience as much chewing pressure.
Zirconia Crowns
These are among the most durable options available. Zirconia crowns are made from a strong, tooth-colored material that can withstand heavy biting forces. However, because zirconia is so hard, it can sometimes wear down the teeth that bite against it. Despite this, zirconia crowns are an excellent choice for people who need a long-lasting and natural-looking solution.
Dental Crown Treatment in Cedar Park, TX
We will take X-rays and examine your smile to determine if you are a candidate for crowns. Good candidates for dental crowns have damaged or weakened teeth. Crowns can cover decayed, broken, and worn teeth.
The steps of treatment include:
Tooth Preparation
To begin treatment, we reshape your tooth before we design and place a custom crown. Reshaping the tooth ensures your new restoration can fit perfectly and won’t look bulky. Before we alter your tooth, we numb it with a local anesthetic to completely numb the mouth. We can also remove decayed portions of the tooth.
Impressions
After we prepare the tooth, we take digital impressions. We send these impressions to a dental lab, where technicians customize the dental crowns to your teeth. Our office will send the exact shade specifications for your crown to ensure it looks and feels natural.
Final Crown
As you wait for your final restoration, we will place a temporary dental crown on your tooth. Then, at a follow-up visit, we remove the temporary restoration. Finally, we cement the dental crown in place and make any necessary modifications.
Caring for Crowns
To care for your crown, start by brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Be gentle around the crown to avoid damaging it. Floss daily to remove food from between your teeth, including around the crown. You can also use a water flosser or dental picks for easier cleaning.
Avoid biting on hard objects like ice, pens, or candies, as these can crack or damage your crown. If you grind your teeth, ask our dentist about getting a nightguard to protect your crown and natural teeth. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, which can lead to decay around the edges of the crown. Instead, choose foods that are good for your teeth, like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Finally, visit us regularly for checkups and cleanings. Our dentist can check your crown to make sure it’s in good shape and address any issues early. With good care, your dental crown can keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years.
Restore Your Teeth
Treat injured, damaged, and stained teeth with a dental crown in Cedar Park, TX. Call 512-866-9654 or schedule a dental appointment on our website. Also, let us know if you have questions about restorative treatment; we will gladly help.