Dental Crowns – Carrollton, TX

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are coverings designed to fit over damaged teeth. While this is their most common purpose, they can also be used to replace teeth entirely as part of a dental bridge. They can be made from multiple types of dental materials, including silver, gold, and ceramics like porcelain. Their main purpose is to strengthen and repair damaged teeth, but they can also be used to improve the overall appearance of an imperfect smile.

Why are Metal-Free Dental Crowns Important?

For some people, metal is not a viable option when it comes to dental materials. Metal crowns typically contain multiple alloys, such as nickel or copper, which can trigger allergic reactions in patients. In this instance, an all-porcelain crown will be needed to restore teeth. Additionally, many patients do not want their smile to look unnatural or create significant reflections, so they’ll opt for all-porcelain crowns for this reason.

Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?

Teeth can become damaged in a few different ways. One of the most common ways is a dental injury, either from a bad fall or from playing contact sports without proper protection. If a crack or chip is large but does not extend below the gumline, it’s likely that a crown can fix the tooth. In other circumstances, decay can break down enamel and expose the vulnerable dentin and pulp underneath. In either case, dental crowns prevent the tooth from breaking apart further and reduce the risk of bacteria reaching inside and developing an infection.

The Process for Dental Crowns

Placement of a dental crown can take as many as three visits to complete. After examination, your natural tooth is prepared by shaping it to fit a new crown. Don’t worry, you’ll receive local anesthetic prior to treatment so you feel little to no discomfort. After preparing, an impression of your tooth is taken so it can be used to create your custom crown. While the permanent crown is being made at a dental lab, you’ll be given a temporary crown to wear until your next visit. Once completed, you’ll come back for a second appointment to have the permanent crown seated.

How to Maintain and Take Care of Dental Crowns

Maintaining your crown is a very simple process. By brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily and visiting our dental office for routine checkups, you can ensure that no bacteria growth occurs underneath the crown as well as determine when it’s time to have it replaced. Just make sure to not use your teeth as a tool, nor chew any foods that could easily crack your crown, such as ice.