Dental crowns in Dunwoody, GA are the most widely used toot restorations, owing to their versatile and simple nature. They are cap-like structures that are placed over natural teeth to restore them to their ideal contour and functionality. They are custom-fabricated according to the contour of the teeth, making them highly indistinguishable.
What are crowns made from?
Crowns are usually made from dental-grade porcelain, which is the go-to material to fabricate dental restorations. It is tooth-colored and can be customized as required to mimic the appearance of the adjoining teeth. Further, the material is strong and highly durable, making the crowns last for a significantly long time without any hassle.
Types of Dental Crown Materials
While porcelain remains the most popular choice for dental crowns, understanding all available materials helps you make an informed decision about your restorative dentistry treatment. Each material offers unique benefits depending on the location of the tooth, your aesthetic preferences, and functional requirements.
All-Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns
All-porcelain and ceramic crowns provide the best natural color match for your teeth, making them the ideal choice for front teeth and other visible areas of your smile. These materials allow light to pass through them similarly to natural tooth enamel, creating a lifelike appearance that blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth. Modern ceramic materials are also incredibly strong, making them suitable for most applications throughout the mouth.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine the strength of metal with the aesthetic appeal of porcelain. The metal substructure provides durability and strength, while the porcelain overlay creates a natural appearance. These crowns work well for back teeth where extra strength is needed, though some patients may eventually notice a dark line at the gum line as gums naturally recede over time.
Gold and Metal Alloy Crowns
Gold and metal alloy crowns offer exceptional durability and require less tooth structure removal during preparation. These materials are extremely gentle on opposing teeth during chewing and rarely chip or break. While their metallic appearance makes them less popular for visible teeth, they remain an excellent choice for back molars where strength matters more than aesthetics.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Understanding when a crown becomes necessary helps you maintain optimal oral health and avoid more extensive dental work later. Crowns serve multiple purposes, from restoring damaged teeth to improving your smile’s appearance. Recognizing these situations allows you to seek treatment at the right time.
A crown becomes necessary when a tooth has been weakened by extensive decay, large fillings, or fractures. When too much of the natural tooth structure has been compromised, a filling alone cannot provide adequate support. The crown acts like a protective helmet, distributing biting forces evenly and preventing further damage. Similarly, teeth that have undergone root canal therapy typically require crowns because the procedure removes the tooth’s nerve supply, making it more brittle and prone to fracture.
Crowns also play an important role in completing other dental treatments. They serve as anchors for dental bridges, cover dental implants, and can dramatically improve the appearance of misshapen or severely discolored teeth. In some cases, crowns are used purely for cosmetic purposes to create a more uniform, attractive smile.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Proper care extends the life of your dental crown and protects the natural tooth underneath. While crowns are durable and designed to last many years, following good oral hygiene practices ensures they remain functional and attractive for as long as possible. The good news is that caring for a crown requires the same habits you already use for your natural teeth.
Daily Maintenance and Oral Hygiene
Brush your crowned tooth just as you would your natural teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Pay special attention to the area where the crown meets your gum line, as this junction can trap bacteria and plaque if not cleaned properly. Flossing remains equally important, as the natural tooth structure beneath the crown still requires protection from decay.
Protecting Your Investment
Certain habits can damage even the strongest dental crown. Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or using your teeth as tools to open packages. If you grind your teeth at night, discuss getting a custom nightguard with your dentist to protect both your crown and natural teeth. These simple precautions help your crown maintain its integrity and appearance for many years. Regular dental checkups allow Dr. Robbins and Dr. Shurley to monitor your crown’s condition and address any concerns before they become serious problems.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
The lifespan of a dental crown depends on several factors, including the material chosen, the location of the crowned tooth, and how well you maintain it. Most dental crowns last between 10 and 15 years with proper care, though many patients enjoy their crowns for much longer. Understanding what influences crown longevity helps you maximize your investment in your dental health.
Material choice significantly impacts durability. Gold and metal alloy crowns often outlast other materials due to their exceptional strength and resistance to wear. Porcelain and ceramic crowns, while beautiful, may be slightly more prone to chipping, especially on back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer a middle ground, combining durability with aesthetics.
Your daily habits also affect how long your crown lasts. Patients who practice excellent oral hygiene, avoid harmful habits like teeth grinding, and maintain regular dental visits typically experience longer-lasting results. The skill of your dentist during the initial placement matters too, as properly fitted crowns with excellent margins resist decay and damage more effectively. At Brightworks Dentistry, our state-of-the-art technology ensures precise crown fabrication and placement for optimal longevity.
Crown Placement at Brightworks Dentistry in Dunwoody
Brightworks Dentistry combines advanced dental technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional crown treatments in a comfortable environment. Dr. Patrice Robbins and Dr. Preston Shurley bring years of experience and a commitment to excellence to every crown procedure, ensuring your restoration looks natural, functions properly, and lasts for years to come.
Our practice uses digital scanning technology to create highly accurate impressions of your teeth, eliminating the need for messy traditional impression materials. This precision allows our dental laboratory to fabricate crowns that fit perfectly and require minimal adjustments. We also offer temporary crowns that closely match the final restoration, so you can leave our office with a complete, functional smile even before your permanent crown is ready. Our focus on patient comfort means you can expect a calm, stress-free experience from consultation through final placement.
Whether you need a crown to restore a damaged tooth or enhance your smile’s appearance, our team provides the care and attention you deserve. We take time to explain your options, answer your questions, and ensure you feel confident about your treatment plan. To schedule your consultation and learn more about dental crowns, contact Brightworks Dentistry today.
What are the advantages of choosing crowns in Dunwoody, GA?
- Crowns can be used to restore teeth that are broken, chipped, naturally misshapen, excessively spaced, etc.
- Since they are made from dental-grade porcelain, they can be customized to match the aesthetics of the natural teeth and avoid being distinguished.
- They are long-lasting and durable.
- The procedure required to place a crown is quite simple and less time-consuming.
- Crowns help to save a natural tooth by providing the necessary structural support.
- Dental-grade porcelain is biocompatible and hence, doesn’t cause any infections. Call us to learn more.
What is the procedure involved?
When you visit our practice for the initial consultation, we will thoroughly diagnose your teeth and determine its severity. This helps us understand whether or not you require crowns, and if any other treatment method can be used instead. We will take x-rays and panoramic scans of the teeth to get a better view. A thin layer of enamel will be removed from the tooth to make space for the crown, after which a digital scan will be taken to serve as a reference for fabricating the crown.
It may take a few days for the crown to be fabricated. Meanwhile, a temporary restoration will be placed on the tooth to cover the prepared surface. During the next appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and the tooth surface will be cleaned. It will be etched using a suitable etching solution before bonding it. If any changes in fit have to be made, the dentist will handle them before permanently bonding it using dental adhesives. Since the adhesive is photosensitive, a curing light is used to harden it. The crown may be polished to enhance its aesthetics.
Schedule an appointment online or call us at (770) 458-3600 to consult your dentist at Brightworks Dentistry in Dunwoody, GA. Ask more about Porcelain crowns to our Dunwoody dentist, we will happy to answer and help.