Do you have a worn tooth? Have you sustained tooth damage from an injury? You may benefit from dental crown treatment in our Lansdale, PA dental office. Tooth crowns are a restorative dentistry solution that may cover natural teeth or cap off dental implants. They offer strength and stability to the smile while improving the uniformity of the teeth.
Our dental team at Brookwood Dental Associates helps patients repair their teeth, strengthen weakened enamel, and improve the uniformity of the bite with tooth crowns.
The Uses of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most popular dental restorations because they treat a wide range of dental concerns, both cosmetic and restorative. Traditionally, professional teeth whitening is the treatment option for discolored teeth. However, not all discoloration responds to this treatment. We color-match a dental crown to whatever shade of white you pick. It covers the entire tooth, so no discoloration shows.
If you have misshapen or disfigured teeth, they can both look bad and impact the function of your smile. You may have issues chewing food or speaking clearly. A dental crown gives you back a full tooth that functions as it should. This is also the case if you break a tooth. It fills out the missing tooth portion and gives it back functionality. A broken tooth can leave exposed tooth nerves and cause pain. A crown remedies that.
Dental crowns are often our last chance to preserve your natural tooth. We practice conservative dentistry and want to preserve the natural tooth structure whenever possible. Crowns can treat teeth that are severely decayed or damaged, eliminating the issues that come with losing your tooth root.
Lastly, crowns are ideal choices to assist with other dental restorations. A dental bridge uses natural teeth as anchor teeth to support it. A dental crown goes over your natural tooth and takes on the stress of supporting the dental bridge. Crowns are also the most common final restoration choice for a dental implant. We customize the crown’s shape, shade, and size so that it blends in perfectly with your smile.
Dental Crown Treatment
Our office uses the CEREC® method, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, to create same-day dental crowns. CEREC uses computer imaging and manufacturing. This means we can create models of the crowns and manufacture them using our milling machine. This process, from the initial dental impressions to the dental crown, can take as little as two hours.
To begin treatment, we clean and reshape your tooth. We must remove a small portion of the tooth enamel to prepare a natural tooth for a dental crown. This does not further damage the tooth but ensures that the crown fits the tooth properly. Once the tooth is prepared, we will take digital impressions or 3D images of it.
We view these images on a computer and edit the crown design before sending it to the in-office milling machine. The machine creates your new crown from tooth-colored ceramic materials. Once your crown is complete, we place it on your prepared tooth. We will make adjustments as needed before we finally place and polish your new restoration!
Same-day dental crowns in our Lansdale, PA office mean you don’t have to wait for your restoration. You can go home with a new dental cap in just one office visit.
Dental Crown FAQs
Read answers to common questions that patients have about crowns to learn more about this restorative treatment:
How do I know if I am a candidate for dental crowns?
Patients must be healthy enough to receive tooth crowns like other dental restorations. However, you will be a good candidate for crowns if you have damaged, weakened, or stained teeth. Our team will make sure that you are healthy enough for this restoration so you can improve the appearance and function of your teeth.
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
Dental crown treatment in our Lansdale, PA, dental office can:
- Save damaged teeth
- Add structure to an unbalanced smile
- Blend in with natural teeth
- Last for many years
- Brighten stained teeth
- Strengthen weak teeth
How long do dental crowns last?
With the right care, tooth crowns can last 15 to 30 years. Patients still need to continue their oral hygiene routine and visit the dentist regularly. Ensuring that the crowns and natural teeth remain clean and healthy can lengthen the lifespan of your restoration.
What are the benefits of tooth-colored crowns over metal crowns?
Tooth-colored crowns have some great benefits over metal crowns. Metal crowns can stand out because of their shiny, metallic look.
Our crowns are made to match the color of your natural teeth, so they blend in and look like part of your smile. Tooth-colored crowns are made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, which are safe for people with metal allergies. They are often more comfortable and less likely to irritate your gums compared to metal crowns.
Tooth-colored crowns are also strong and can handle daily chewing and biting. They work well on both front and back teeth, giving you a natural look no matter where they are placed.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are partial crowns that cover a smaller portion of the tooth. However, they act similarly to dental crowns and tooth fillings. They are also made of a composite material that easily blends in with the shade of natural teeth. Inlays cover the tooth surface between the cusps or sides of the tooth, while onlays cover the tooth surface as well as the tooth cusps. We will recommend inlays or onlays for patients with worn and damaged teeth and patients who have received root canal treatment.
Can I get a cavity with a dental crown?
The dental crown itself cannot get a cavity. It isn’t living, natural tissue, so it isn’t susceptible to bacteria. However, you do still have a natural tooth structure underneath it that is susceptible.
If the crown is too big or not applied properly, bacteria can get under it and into the tooth structure. Clean your dental crown properly. Call our office if you notice that your crown is loose or have any other issues.
Can a crown fix a tooth with a large filling?
Yes, a crown can fix a tooth with a large filling! When a tooth has a big filling, it can become weak and more likely to crack or break. A crown covers the whole tooth like a cap, giving it extra strength and protection.
The crown also seals the tooth to help prevent further decay or damage. If your dentist thinks your tooth needs more support than the filling can provide, they may recommend a crown to keep your tooth healthy and strong.
What can’t I do after getting a dental crown?
The cement cures quickly, but avoid eating for about an hour after your crown placement. Wait until the local anesthetic wears off, too, so you don’t accidentally bite down on your tongue or soft tissue. Moving forward, avoid foods that are too hard or sticky, as these are most likely to damage your crown.
Contact Our Dental Office
Do you need to restore a damaged or injured tooth? Get a dental crown in our Lansdale, PA, dental office. Call Brookwood Dental Associates at 267-651-7247. You can also schedule a dental appointment with our team on our website.