Damaged and missing teeth are common problems treated with restorative dental care. Often, these problems lead to tooth pain and further tooth damage. Dental crown treatment in our Franklin, MI, office can secure missing tooth restorations and protect natural teeth. Tooth crowns are a part of our restorative dental treatments.
Crowns fully cover and protect teeth like caps. Dental crowns replace lost tooth structures with tooth-colored porcelain or composite resin restorations. We color-match teeth and take dental impressions to ensure tooth crowns look and feel like natural teeth. Crowns can provide durability and improved aesthetics to one or more teeth.
The Many Uses of Dental Crowns
Dr. Jomana Shayota provides dental crown treatment to patients in Franklin, MI. She offers a variety of dental treatments that use tooth crowns. Dental crowns are used for multiple dental problems and restorations, including:
- Worn and Damaged Teeth: Tooth wear and damage can create an uneven bite. Bite problems can lead to tension in the teeth and jaw. Dental crowns cover and protect against dental injuries to create a comfortable bite. We may recommend a crown for common dental emergencies, including broken and fractured teeth.
- Dental Bridges: Crowns cover natural teeth on either side of a missing tooth gap to secure a traditional dental bridge. They provide stability to the bridge.
- Dental Implants: A tooth crown can cover a single dental implant to replace a missing tooth. Ceramic or porcelain crowns easily blend in with other natural teeth for a seamless look. Crowns ensure replacement teeth are indistinguishable from other teeth.
- Large Fillings or Root Canals: We often recommend dental crowns for patients with large fillings to help protect their teeth. Receiving a dental crown after a root canal treatment can also help stabilize the tooth. Fillings that are too large can increase the risk of breaks in the teeth. A dental crown holds the tooth together and creates a more even bite.
Metal vs. Porcelain Crowns
Traditional dental crowns use metal materials. Gold or silver crowns are the traditional crown material. Dentists use these materials because of their durability. Metal crowns typically cover the molars or the teeth in the very back of the mouth. However, the colors of metal crowns make them more noticeable, even if they cover the molars.
Porcelain crowns may not provide the same durability as metal crowns but are still comparable to the strength of natural teeth. These crowns are not sensitive to heat or cold, unlike metal crowns. Porcelain crowns use tooth-colored materials that we color-match to other natural teeth. This makes them less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing.
Dental Crown Treatment in Franklin, MI
Before crown treatment, our dentist will examine your teeth. We will take X-rays to see where you have damage and if your teeth require crowns. If crowns are the right option for you, we will schedule an appointment to prepare your teeth for crowns.
It can take two visits to our office to receive a custom dental crown. First, we clean and numb the treated teeth with a local anesthetic. Then, we will remove some of the tooth structure to prepare your teeth. This preparation ensures that the crowns fit correctly.
We can also remove decay and shape the teeth during tooth preparation. Sometimes, we will add structure to your tooth to ensure you have enough tooth for the crown to cover.
Then, we will take dental impressions of your prepared teeth. Our office sends these impressions to a dental lab to create your crowns. We also provide specifications for the crown shade, as we color-match the crowns to your natural teeth. Color-matching the crown also ensures that it blends in with natural teeth.
We will provide a temporary crown while technicians create the permanent crown in a local dental laboratory. At your next visit to our office, we will remove the temporary crown. Then, we will double-check the crown’s shape, size, and shade. Finally, we will cement the final crown in place and polish the crown.
How to Care For Dental Crowns
With the proper care, dental crowns can last for 15 years and up to 30 years. Brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly can keep crowns bright and intact.
You can floss between your crowns. We recommend flossing before brushing to remove food debris and bacteria from between teeth. Then, brush using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Ensure you brush between the crown and your gum line.
Avoid hard and crunchy foods directly after crown treatment. Directly biting down on hard foods can potentially damage your crowns. Additionally, avoid chewing on ice, biting your nails, or using your teeth as tools. Crowns are strong, but they can get damaged like natural teeth.
If you break your crown, contact us for immediate treatment. Do not attempt to place your crown back on your tooth because you can damage your teeth and gums. You can bring the crown to our office, and we may re-cement the crown or create a replacement.
Contact our office if your crown loosens or feels different in your mouth. If you have a loose dental crown, harmful bacteria can affect the surrounding gums and the tooth beneath the crown. We can treat any sign of tooth or gum infection and protect your tooth with a new crown.
Partial Crowns: Inlays and Onlays
Also known as partial crowns, inlays and onlays are similar to dental crowns. However, they cover smaller areas of the tooth. An inlay covers the chewing surface of the tooth between the tooth cusps or sides. Onlays cover a larger portion of the tooth, including the cusps and surface.
Inlays and onlays are separate tooth-colored pieces that we color-match and cement to natural teeth. These treatments are excellent options if you have tooth damage but have enough tooth structure that you don’t need a crown.
Receive a Dental Crown Today
Do you have discolored or damaged teeth? Contact Dental House and Aesthetics for dental crown treatment in Franklin, MI, today at (248) 963-7925. Feel free to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Shayota online.
Please let Dr. Shayota know if you have any questions about the dental crown process or are unsure if crowns suit you. She will happily help you find the proper treatment for your dental problems.