Cosmetic Dentistry Options
A dental crown is a cap that’s created to fit perfectly over a tooth. This cap will cover the entirety of the tooth that shows above the gum line. A crown is used to give a tooth a chance to restore itself. A crown can allow a tooth to repair its aesthetic appearance as well as its health.
A Healthy Tooth is Required for a Dental Crown
If the roots of a discolored or chipped tooth are perfectly healthy, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to fix it aesthetically. A crown can be made from dental porcelain (a newer, very high-tech dental ceramic), gold, or a mix of porcelain that is fused to metal. Whichever material is used to create your new dental crown, it will look just like the other teeth in your mouth. Your dentist will blend your crown as best as humanly possible to completely camouflage the crown.
There are times that adding a cap over a damaged tooth is the best choice of action. There may be a tooth that is chipped beyond repair. Maybe there has been enough buildup on your teeth over the years that the discoloration simply cannot be cleaned away any further. Taking care of your teeth by brushing at least twice a day and continuing to make appointments for checkups and cleanings as often as your doctor prescribes will keep procedures like dental crowns and bridges at bay for as long as possible.
What Are Dental Crowns Used For
A dental crown may be needed to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to restore an already broken tooth. A dental crown can also be used to cover and support a tooth when there is not much of it left and to hold a dental bridge in place. Other reasons for using a dental crown can be to cover a misshapen or discolored tooth, to cover a dental implant, or to make other cosmetic modifications.
Different Types of Crowns Available
A permanent crown can be made from stainless steel, porcelain, resin, or all ceramic. Stainless steel crowns are used on permanent teeth and as a temporary measure. Metal crowns like gold or alloy can withstand the force of chewing and rarely chip or break. Porcelain crowns are fused to metal and are used to match the natural color of teeth. Porcelain is a good choice front or back teeth. Resin is the least expensive of dental crowns and resin wears down over time faster than other crowns. Resin is used mostly for temporary crowns. Ceramic crowns are like porcelain in that they can mimic the natural color of teeth and are a good choice for front teeth.
Temporary crowns can be made in your dentist’s office and permanent dental crowns require a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are used as just that; a temporary crown until the permanent crown has been constructed in the dental laboratory and is ready.
Maintain Consistent Oral Health
If you are trying to avoid visiting the dentist for any other reason than your annual teeth cleaning and checkup visits, then maintaining your own oral health at home is imperative. Your day is never too busy that you can’t keep up with brushing and flossing at least twice a day and when you experience any pain or discomfort give your dentist a call as soon as possible. Preventative care is not only the key to saving money on future dental procedures, but also the future discomfort that will develop from even further erosion and deterioration.
Don’t try to do the dentist’s job unless you are a dentist. He or she will know what your best options are and the Idaho Falls dentists at Eagle Rock Dental Care will care about you as a whole then entire time. Everyone at Eagle Rock Dental Care wants you to have the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. A strong overall health is always linked to the level of dental health in an individual.
Are you at all concerned about your oral health? Do you have a healthy rooted tooth that may just need a simple cap or “dental crown”? Give us a call today and set up a simple consultation appointment.
Idaho Falls: (208) 523-5400
Rexburg: (208) 359-2224
Arco: (208) 527-3472
