Dental crowns are designed to restore the color, shape, and function of a tooth. When a tooth becomes badly decayed, dental fillings are no longer capable of maintaining a tooth’s structure and health. Dental crowns are the best option to protect the tooth and enhance the appearance of the tooth. Gunnel Family Dental specializes in dental crowns at our Logan dental office.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are made from various materials, including metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain, and porcelain fused to metal or composite resin. We will recommend the best dental crown material for your particular oral health needs. We focus on blending the tooth’s color with the rest of your natural teeth, keeping your smile looking healthy and uniform. A dental crown should fit comfortably and look natural in your mouth.
Why Dental Crowns are Necessary
A tooth can become badly decayed, and fillings can wear out over the years. When a tooth has extreme decay and requires a large filling, there isn’t enough tooth remaining to keep the filling in place. If a tooth has a root canal, the tooth is essentially “dead” and will start to turn grey and become brittle and weak. Dental crowns will protect the root of the tooth while also strengthening it. We recommend dental crowns when you have a tooth that is weak or is broken. Many patients prefer dental crowns when they experience discoloration or have misshapen teeth.
What to Expect During Your Visit
When you visit Gunnell Family Dental for a dental crown, you should plan on spending an hour to two hours in our office. It usually takes two dental visits to complete the crown as we do not manufacture same-day crowns. Our crowns are created in a professional dental lab, helping to ensure they are strong and long-lasting. Here is what you can expect during your visit:
- We will numb the area and then prepare the tooth by removing the tooth’s outer layer and shaping it. If there is decay, we will need to remove all decay and restore the area before shaping the tooth. We will build up the tooth’s core structure to ensure it is strong enough to support the crown.
- Once the area is prepared, we will take an impression of the tooth. The impression is an exact model of the tooth the dental lab uses to create a crown.
- A temporary crown will be placed on the tooth while waiting for the final crown to be made. It usually takes about two weeks for the crown to be completed, and you will come back for the final crown placement at that time.
Caring for Dental Crowns
A dental crown requires daily brushing and flossing, just like the rest of your teeth. The tooth under the crown can still be vulnerable to decay without proper oral health care. Schedule your annual dental cleanings so our experts can remove any plaque and tartar buildup around the tooth and keep it protected and healthy.
We recommend avoiding certain foods that can damage your teeth, such as ice and hard foods. Biting down on hard objects can damage the tooth and could lead to serious dental problems. If you need a dental crown or want to learn more about our dental services, schedule a consultation today by calling 435-294-3505.
