Do you have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth? Are you looking for a durable dental restoration to protect your weakened teeth? Dental crowns can cover dental implant restorations, damaged teeth, and enamel discoloration. Dr. Elizabeth Duling offers dental crown treatment in Owens Cross Roads, AL.
She takes the health of the whole dental structure before recommending treatment. In addition, Dr. Duling takes the budget, personal goals, dental history, and current oral health examinations into account before their care.
CEREC Dental Crowns
CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, uses CAD/CAM technology. Computer-aided design and manufacturing allow Dr. Duling to design, fabricate, and place your custom crown or crowns in one dental visit.
To begin treatment, Dr. Duling will prepare the tooth or teeth receiving crowns by removing a small amount of the tooth enamel. We do this to ensure that the crown fits comfortably on the teeth. Dr. Duling then uses digital impressions of the patient’s smile for accurate treatment. Using 3-D imaging, she can see detailed images of the dental structure and then fabricate the dental crowns with the milling machines. Dr. Duling also color-matches each tooth crown for a natural look.
The typical dental crown process involves multiple visits to the dentist’s office. On the first visit, we prepare the tooth and create impressions to send to a dental lab. Then, you have a temporary restoration until the crown is complete. Only then do you return to the office for your permanent restoration. CEREC allows us to complete this quickly and seamlessly in a single office visit.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are composite resin restorations that your dentist will bond to a tooth with significant damage. An inlay remains inside the cusps, or outer edges, on top of a damaged tooth. Onlays cover one or more of the cusps of the tooth. We call them partial crowns for this reason. Dr. Duling will help you determine if we can address your tooth damage with a dental crown or inlays and onlays at the consultation.
The Many Uses of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are among the most popular dental restorations because they can treat a variety of problems, including cosmetic and restorative ones.
Cosmetic Fixes
Professional teeth whitening is usually the solution when you have discolored teeth. However, not all discoloration responds to traditional methods of whitening. Intrinsic deep staining on your teeth and discoloration due to trauma need a different solution. We can color-match a dental crown to whatever shade of white you’d like. Crowns cover the entire tooth, hiding any discoloration from view.
They work for misshapen and deformed teeth, too. Not only do these have cosmetic impacts, but depending on the location in your mouth, they can impact how you chew or speak. You may have to avoid certain foods you can’t chew or have a lisp when speaking. Crowns completely obscure the disfigured tooth. We use the rest of your teeth to match the color, size, and shape so that the crown blends in seamlessly with your smile.
Strengthening Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to stabilize the tooth after a root canal. We clean out infected dental pulp inside your tooth during a root canal. We refill it with a biocompatible material and seal it from further infection. However, this doesn’t always give you back full function in your tooth. A dental crown further seals off the tooth’s interior and ensures you regain total functionality.
A traditional dental bridge relies on natural anchor teeth to support the restoration. These teeth take on a lot of stress and strain, making them more likely to wear down quickly and be susceptible to tooth decay and damage. We use dental crowns to fortify these anchor teeth. Instead of the natural tooth structure bearing the weight of the dental bridge, all of the stress goes onto the dental crowns instead.
Saving Broken and Decayed Teeth
We practice conservative dentistry, saving the natural tooth structure whenever possible. Dental crowns are often the last stage of defense for teeth that are severely broken or decayed. A crown holds together the broken pieces of a tooth, preserving the natural tooth root. It can also replace the parts of the tooth that have decayed away. This allows you to keep the tooth root, avoiding the negative impacts of losing it.
Having a chunk of your tooth break off is concerning and can also be dangerous. The jagged edges of the remaining tooth can cut your oral soft tissues. The inner dental pulp and nerves are exposed to the outside, making them more likely to succumb to infection. It can be painful when food or drink comes into contact with exposed nerves. Dental crowns replace the piece of the tooth that’s broken off and protect the interior.
Completing a Dental Implant
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. This is especially true when we complete them with a dental crown. A dental implant topped with a crown is the most natural-looking and feeling tooth replacement option. We craft crowns to look exactly like your natural teeth so people can’t differentiate.
Dental Crown FAQs
Our patients often have several questions about their treatment with dental crowns. Some common questions can include:
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
Tooth crowns restore teeth that are broken, have a chip, or have some discoloration. They can also lessen spaces between the teeth. We make our dental crowns from high-quality porcelain. Your dentist will customize the crown to meet your needs. We color-match it so it will blend in with your natural teeth. Additionally, tooth crowns provide structural support with durable and long-lasting results.
Is the dental crown procedure painful?
Dr. Duling and her dental team ensure patients feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible during every dental treatment. We offer sedation dentistry options for painless care. Patients will experience some mild sensitivity following treatment, but this will fade within several days of your treatment. We will also prescribe pain medication and recommend that patients use ice packs to combat swelling.
What should I do if I have a broken crown?
If you have a broken crown, please contact our dental office for an emergency appointment. Don’t try to put the crown back into your mouth or glue it together. We will restore the dental crown with a durable replacement. Not replacing a crown soon enough can make it difficult to bite and chew.
How long does it take for a dental crown to settle?
When we make a dental crown, we make it as thin as possible and shave down the natural tooth structure to provide enough room for the new crown. When you get it, the new crown may feel bulky and awkward in your mouth. Even though it’s thin, it’s still a new, foreign addition to your smile. It takes some time to get used to. Call our office if it still feels odd in your mouth after two weeks.
Can food get stuck under a dental crown?
This can only happen if the crown hasn’t been applied properly. If it’s not properly placed, gaps exist between your natural mouth structure and the crown, making it easy for food and bacteria to get stuck under them. Brushing and flossing may not be enough to clean the area properly, increasing your chances of getting a cavity. If you feel like your crown doesn’t fit properly, call our office immediately so that we can remedy the issue.
How long must I wait to eat after getting a dental crown?
Be cautious of what you eat, especially for the first 24 hours after getting your crown. Start with soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, and try to avoid chewing on the side where the crown is. Don’t eat any sticky or hard foods during this time, as the cement may not have completely cured. This makes it easier for the crown to come loose or dislodge.
Schedule a Dental Consultation
Do you want a bright and balanced smile? Request an appointment with Dr. Duling on our website or call our office at 256.202.4186.