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When you’ve recently damaged a tooth, the last thing you want to be told is that you need it extracted. At Sunny Dental, our goal is to help you salvage teeth however possible, and dental crowns are just one of the many ways we make that happen! Our highly experienced dentists will not only walk you through the treatment process, but make sure that you understand how dental crowns work to save your damaged teeth and bring them back to their original luster. We can’t wait to help you restore your smile, so don’t wait to give us a call today!
Dental crowns can be used for a wide variety of treatments. One of the most common reasons we place dental crowns is to cover teeth damaged either by long-term decay or as a result of a physical injury. Regardless of what caused your teeth to become damaged, if your tooth is at risk of becoming infected or breaking down further without a restoration, you’ll need one to ensure the tooth does not have to be extracted. Furthermore, if you currently have dental fillings and the filling is taking up more than two-thirds of your natural tooth, a crown will need to replace the filling.
If we determine that a dental crown is the best treatment option for you moving forward, we’ll start by removing any decay that is currently present, then shape your natural tooth so that it can properly receive a crown. Prior to shaping your enamel, we’ll apply a local anesthetic that numbs your surrounding gum tissue, ensuring that you feel as comfortable as possible. We’ll place a temporary crown over your existing tooth while we get your permanent crown created. After about one to two weeks, you’ll come back to the office to have the temporary crown replaced with your permanent version. If any adjustments need to be made to make your crown fit properly, we’ll make them before you leave.
Dental crowns can not only keep your teeth in one piece and prevent the need for an extraction, but they also provide the following benefits below!
Beautiful Esthetics: No longer will you feel self-conscious about showing off your smile thanks to our tooth-colored materials!
The materials that dental crowns are made out of are resistant to the acid erosion that causes cavities. For that reason, you shouldn’t expect for your dental crown to develop tooth decay.
However, it’s still possible for bacteria to sneak under the crown and attack the tooth beneath the restoration, causing a cavity. You should therefore continue to be diligent with your dental hygiene in order to preserve your oral health.
In most cases there’s a period of a few weeks between when your enamel is removed from your tooth and when you get your permanent crown. The temporary crown is an acrylic model of your final restoration used to cover your tooth during this period.
This temporary crown is typically attached with a weaker cement than your permanent crown will be and are made of a much more fragile material. This being the case, it’s usually important to avoid chewing anything that could disrupt this temporary crown, and to be very gingerly when you brush it. Neither of these things will be necessary when you get your final restoration.
Typically, most plans will cover dental crowns that you’re getting for medical reasons. That said, every dental plan is different. That being the case, it’s important that you consult with your particular insurance company before pursuing care.
In general, dental plans will pay for around 50% of the total cost of a dental crown, provided that you’ve met your deductible and have yet to exceed your yearly maximum.
Teeth whitening works by applying whitening gel to your teeth. This will penetrate deep into the enamel and lift stains. It works because enamel is porous. However, the material that dental crowns are made out of aren’t quite the same way. They aren’t nearly as porous, which makes teeth whitening ineffective.
If you want to brighten your smile, you probably need to get them whitened before getting your restoration, then get the dental crowns color-matched.
