Crowns are caps, usually made of materials like porcelain, that go over a tooth. They can make a tooth stronger, improve how it works, and restore its look after a restorative procedure like a root canal or when a filling isn’t enough. Crowns can also replace a missing tooth.
At Cooper Family Dental in Arlington, TX, we offer dental crowns to help patients get their teeth back to normal in terms of look, function, and comfort.
Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Crowns have many uses, from replacing lost teeth to protecting damaged ones. Crowns can:
- Secure Restorations: Crowns can hold bridges or cover implants. A bridge, which fills in for missing teeth, often uses crowns for support. Crowns can also top off single dental implants to replace a missing tooth.
- Cover Worn and Stained Teeth: Crowns are useful for improving your smile by covering stained, chipped, or damaged teeth. If you have a tooth that’s both worn and discolored, a crown can solve both problems. We make sure your crown matches your natural teeth in shape and color.
- Protect After a Filling or Root Canal: If a large filling is at risk of coming loose, we may recommend a crown. Crowns keep damaged teeth from breaking further by holding the pieces together. They are also great after a root canal, where the tooth is often weaker. Crowns add strength and help keep your bite even.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are different types of crowns that can cover one or more teeth:
- Metal Alloy: Gold or metal crowns are strong but stand out because of their color. Even when covering back teeth, they can still be seen when you open your mouth. Metal crowns can also make teeth more sensitive to hot or cold.
- Resin: Same-day crowns are often made of resin. Resin crowns are more affordable and can be made to match your natural tooth color, though they may not last as long as other options.
- Porcelain: Porcelain crowns, like resin, are made to match the color of your teeth. They last longer than resin and are strong like natural teeth. Porcelain crowns are a good choice for both front and back teeth since they are durable and look natural.
Dental Crown Treatment in Arlington, TX
Before we start, we’ll take dental X-rays to check how bad the damage is and make sure you’re healthy enough for the treatment. If needed, we can do root canals, gum therapy, or other treatments to get your teeth ready.
To begin, we’ll numb the area around your tooth. We need to trim the tooth down to make room for the crown, but you need to have enough of your natural tooth left—about 2 mm—for this treatment to work.
After preparing the tooth, we’ll take an impression. We send this mold, along with details about the size and shape of your tooth, to a lab where your custom crown is made.
While waiting for your permanent crown, we’ll place a temporary one. You’ll need to be extra careful with this temporary crown. Avoid hard or crunchy foods, ice, biting your nails, or consuming very hot or cold foods and drinks. Temperature changes can affect the crown’s glue.
Once your final crown is ready, you’ll come back to our office. We’ll remove the temporary crown and check the color, shape, and fit of the new one. Then, we’ll cement it in place and polish it to make it look natural.
How To Care for Dental Crowns
A well-cared-for crown can last eight years or more. It’s important to floss around the crown to keep plaque and debris from building up. Be sure to clean the gum line when flossing. When brushing, use a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoid abrasive toothpaste, as it can scratch the crown.
Crowns are strong, but habits like jaw clenching or teeth grinding can wear them down faster. Also, avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or hard candy, as they can loosen or damage the crown.
We recommend regular dental visits every six months. During these visits, we’ll clean your teeth, gums, and crowns and check to ensure everything is in good shape. With proper care, porcelain crowns can last 15 years or longer.
Are Veneers and Crowns the Same?
Crowns and veneers are different. Veneers only cover the front of a tooth and are usually used for cosmetic reasons. Crowns, on the other hand, cover the entire tooth and restore strength and function to the tooth.
Can Crowns Get Cavities?
Crowns themselves don’t get cavities, but the natural tooth and gums around them can still get infections. Infections can spread to the gums or the tooth under the crown.
That’s why it’s important to floss around the crown at the gum line and brush with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, twice a day.
Restore Your Smile Today
If you need to protect your natural teeth or restore them, a dental crown might be right for you. Call Cooper Family Dental in Arlington, TX at 817-646-1217 to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment online.
If you have questions about crowns, feel free to ask during your next visit!