Dental Crowns
Your teeth may be small, but they are responsible for several essential daily tasks. The teeth enable you to bite and chew your food. When you speak, they control airflow so that you can create specific sounds. They help to maintain the health of your jawbone. They are also an integral component of a beautiful smile. The teeth are the hardest substance in the human body, but they are not indestructible. Any damage your teeth may face affects not only your appearance, but it can also impact your oral, and overall health. At Timothy H. Kindt, DDS, we can restore the health of damaged teeth with crowns.
Providing Protection for Damaged Teeth
Damage to your teeth can have serious consequences on your appearance, your oral health, and your overall health. Cracks, splits or chips can worsen. Cavities can grow deeper. If this happens, the inner layer of the teeth can be exposed to bacteria, which can then lead to a painful infection. Infections can spread quickly, and even enter the bloodstream.
A crown is a cap that is designed to fit perfectly over a damaged tooth. It provides strength to a weak tooth, protects the tooth from further damage and prevents bacterial invasion. Crowns can even restore your smile.
 Types of Dental Crowns
There are several different types of crowns. Each type has its unique advantages.
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Metal. Metal crowns, typically gold or silver, are the strongest crowns available. They have also been in use the longest. These crowns are practically indestructible, making them perfect for damaged teeth in the back of the mouth. The biggest disadvantage to metal crowns is their color.
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Porcelain fused to metal. PFM crowns have a metal base covered with a porcelain coating. They provide the strength of metal with the aesthetic benefits of porcelain. However, the porcelain is not as strong as metal and can chip. In many cases, a thin metal line can also show through.
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Ceramic. Ceramic crowns are the most aesthetically appealing option. The material mimics many of the properties of natural tooth enamel, including its color and how it reflects light, making them ideal for teeth at the front of the mouth. |
How Crowns Are Placed
The crown procedure is fairly straightforward and typically takes two visits to complete. During the first visit, the affected tooth is prepared. We administer a local anesthetic and remove a small portion of enamel from the tooth. Removing enamel is essential to enabling the crown to fit comfortably and naturally in your mouth. After the tooth is prepared, we then take an impression. The impression is sent to a lab, where your custom crown is created.
It takes about two weeks for your crown to be completed. During this time, a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth. When the crown is ready, you will return for your second visit. We check the crown for fit and aesthetics and then secure it in place with special dental cement.
Benefits of Crowns
Dental crowns provide a variety of benefits, including:
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Protection of damaged teeth from further destruction and potential infection.
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You avoid the need for a tooth extraction, and therefore tooth replacement.
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With ceramic crowns, the aesthetics of your smile are restored.
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Crowns also protect a root canal, or cover dental implant screws, giving you a natural appearance. |
Ignoring any damage to your teeth can lead to serious issues. Crowns can help to protect a damaged tooth, preventing the need for extraction, while giving you back your beautiful, confident smile. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Timothy H. Kindt DDS today at (480) 939-5818. |
