Dental crowns are one of the most widely used dental treatments for cosmetic and restorative dental concerns. A dental crown can repair and strengthen your smile. Dr. Gorsky uses only the highest quality materials to create your custom-designed crown so it fits perfectly in your smile. A dental crown will complement your appearance and support the integrity of your bite.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile treatment options. They can take care of almost any restorative or cosmetic dental problem.
Cosmetic Fixes
Tooth discoloration is the most common cosmetic dental complaint. Typically, professional teeth whitening treats it. However, some discoloration doesn’t respond to traditional treatment options. A dental crown completely covers the discolored tooth, and you can make it any shade of white you want. You can whiten the rest of your smile and get a dental crown that will match it.
Not only do misshapen or deformed teeth cause self-esteem issues, but they can also impact function. Each one of our teeth plays an important part in speaking and eating. The tongue interacts with every tooth to form sounds. Each tooth also has a different function when it comes to breaking down food. A dental crown is custom-made to match the size and shape of normal teeth. Since it covers the whole tooth, it completely hides the disfigured one from view.
Stabilizing Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to stabilize the tooth after a root canal. For a root canal, we remove the infected inner pulp of the tooth, clean it out, replace the pulp with a biocompatible material, and seal it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always restore full function. Your tooth is also more vulnerable to infection in the future. A crown offers further protection and ensures you can use your tooth fully.
A traditional dental bridge uses a natural tooth on either side of the span to anchor it. This puts a lot of stress on those anchor teeth. They’re more likely to break down faster and are more susceptible to damage and decay. Using dental crowns on anchor teeth can alleviate this. Instead of your tooth structure taking on all the weight and stress of the bridge, the dental crown does.
Treating Severe Damage or Decay
Dental crowns are the last line of defense before we have to extract a tooth. Severe tooth decay erodes the tooth and gets deeper, impacting the delicate pulp in the tooth’s center. We may have to remove large sections of tooth decay, exposing more of the tooth. A dental crown can stabilize the tooth and bring back function.
If a tooth is shattered, a crown can help hold the pieces together. It can also help if a large chunk of the tooth breaks off. That can expose the dental nerves, causing pain whenever they come into contact with anything. It leaves the soft inside of the tooth vulnerable to bacteria and infection. If the tooth breaks off and there are jagged edges, those can cut the soft tissues in your mouth.
A dental crown replaces the part of the tooth that broke off. It protects the sensitive parts of the tooth and eliminates the danger of cuts in the mouth, while restoring function.
Completing a Dental Implant
A crown is the most popular choice to complete a dental implant. If you get a solo implant, the crown is the final restoration to complete the process. It attaches to a piece called an abutment, connecting it to the implant post. Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement, giving you back full bite function and other benefits.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
Crowns strengthen and support even the most worn-down or broken teeth so well because they encase the entire visible part of a tooth, firmly attached to your natural tooth beneath. This means the tooth’s roots anchor the crown, and the beautiful porcelain crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface.
The application of a crown is usually completed in two easy visits. At the first visit, we prepare your tooth, remove any decay, and prepare it for the placement of the new dental crown. We will take impressions and place a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown is completed. At your second visit, your beautiful crown will be bonded in place.
You’ll leave with a tooth that feels so natural and looks much like your own; you may even forget which tooth has been repaired! Yonkers, Eastchester, New Rochelle, and all Westchester County communities receive the best dental care from Crestwood Dental.
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns are one of the most important tools a dentist has. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
What materials are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns are made from different types of materials. The most common are metal, porcelain, ceramic, and resin. Metal crowns are strong and last a long time, but they look gold or silver. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are the same color as real teeth, so they look more natural. Resin crowns are less costly, but they can break more easily. Sometimes, crowns are a mix of metal and porcelain to combine both strength and a real tooth look.
How long will my dental crown last?
A dental crown usually lasts about five to fifteen years. The lifespan can change based on how well you care for your teeth, if you grind your teeth, or if you bite down on hard things. Brushing and flossing daily, plus regular dentist trips, will help your crown last longer. Avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and never use your teeth to open things.
Is getting a dental crown painful?
Getting a dental crown is not very painful. Your dentist will give you medicine to numb your tooth and the surrounding area. You will not feel much pain during the procedure. You might feel pressure or hear sounds, but it should not hurt. After the numbness goes away, your tooth may feel sore for a day or two, but this is normal.
How long does it take to get a dental crown?
Getting a dental crown usually takes two trips to the dentist. On the first visit, the dentist shapes your tooth and makes an impression. This visit can take about an hour. Then, you wait one to two weeks while the lab makes your crown. On your second visit, the dentist fits and bonds the crown to your tooth. This also takes about an hour. The whole process can take about two to three weeks from start to finish.
How do I care for my dental crown?
To care for your dental crown, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. Use a soft brush and gentle strokes so you do not harm your crown or gums. Try not to bite hard or sticky foods, as they can hurt the crown. Go to your dentist for checkups and cleanings, and tell them if your crown feels loose or hurts. Good care will help your crown last and keep your mouth healthy.
Does a temporary crown look like a real tooth?
A temporary crown is made to look a lot like your real tooth, but it may not look quite the same as a real tooth or a final crown. It is usually made of plastic or metal and might not match the color or shape of your other teeth as well. Still, it is good at hiding the tooth while you wait for the real crown, so most people will not notice it unless they look very closely.