Dental Crowns

What Are Crowns? There are many reasons for needing a dental crown. They help to preserve damaged teeth, strengthening them, and protecting them from additional harm. They are a great solution for teeth that have a more significant amount of decay that cannot be treated with a filling. They are also excellent for protecting a tooth after a root canal or root canal retreatment. At Summit Dental Care at (208) 733-9999, we offer many types of crowns and can help you to choose the best one based on your needs. Metal Crowns Metal crowns are made from many different materials, including palladium alloy and base metal alloy. Alloys are mixtures of metals that help to improve strength and increase resistance to corrosion. These crowns are incredibly resilient and very affordable. As such, they are perfect for teeth near the back of the mouth. They also require the least amount of enamel removed before placement. However, some patients may feel they are not a very aesthetic choice due to their silver color. Gold Crowns Gold crowns, like other metal crowns, are very strong and long-lasting. Gold crowns that are well-cared for can last 40 years or more. They require the least amount of enamel removal and do not cause wear on surrounding teeth. Gold is less likely than other metals to cause reactions. However, in addition to being more expensive, they can be noticeable due to their color. Stainless Steel Stainless steel crowns are often used for treating damaged or decayed baby teeth, which eventually fall out on their own anyway. They are also often used as temporary crowns for adults. They are replaced later once the final crown has been completed. Like metal and gold crowns, some patients feel these crowns are not aesthetically pleasing. Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns Porcelain fused to metal crowns are meant to provide a more aesthetic solution while still providing the same strength and protection of metal crowns. The porcelain coating is made to match the color of your actual teeth, making it a more natural restoration. Despite the more natural appearance, PFM crowns can cause the surrounding teeth to wear down more easily. The porcelain can chip if you bite down on something hard or use your teeth to open a package or remove clothing tags. The metal base can also sometimes be seen along the gumline and can become more noticeable if you suffer gum recession. Resin Crowns Resin crowns are made from composite resin. These crowns can match the color of your natural teeth, providing a more natural restoration. The biggest drawback to resin crowns is that they are not very strong, and thus they are not used often. Ceramic Crowns Ceramic crowns are the most aesthetic option for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. We can make these crowns to match the color of your actual teeth. Ceramic also mimics the sheen of natural enamel. While not as sturdy as metal crowns, they can stand up to the weaker forces exerted on the front teeth. This strength, as well as their aesthetic benefits, making them great for treating front teeth. Crowns (Normal) Front teeth affected by damage or decay do more than just affect the health of your teeth. Issues with your front teeth can also significantly impact your smile, resulting in a loss of confidence. Fortunately, Summit Dental Care can improve your oral health and your smile with a crown, which can help to boost your confidence. Crowns can be used to treat back teeth as well as front teeth. A crown covers the entire tooth, protecting it from more harm and infections. A crown also functions to restore strength to the damaged or decayed tooth, which enables it to function as it used to. Crowns can be made from many different materials. Common crown materials include metal, porcelain fused to metal, and ceramic. When it comes to treating damaged teeth at the front of your mouth, ceramic crowns are most often preferred. Made entirely of ceramic, they provide the most aesthetic benefits. The Benefits Of Ceramic For Your Front Teeth The greatest benefit to using ceramic is that it looks exactly like the rest of your teeth. We can select the shade that most closely matches the color of your natural tooth enamel so that your crown will blend in perfectly. Another benefit to ceramic crowns is that, while not as strong as metal, they can stand up to most of the daily wear and tear that your front teeth face. Still, it would help if you avoided habits like biting your nails or chewing on ice. These habits can cause the ceramic to chip or break, resulting in the need for a replacement. Your First Appointment Crowns generally require two appointments. The first appointment is devoted to tooth preparation. First, a local anesthetic is administered so that you do not feel any discomfort during the process. After the local anesthetic takes effect, we shave, or remove, a portion of your tooth enamel. Once the tooth has been prepared, an impression of your mouth is taken, and a color guide is used to select the appropriate shade for your final crown. Before you leave, a temporary crown is placed on the treated tooth. While you wait for your final crown, the temporary crown functions to protect the tooth and prevent infections. Fitting Your Final Crown A crown is created in a dental lab. Technicians use an impression to custom design your crown. After it has been completed, you have your second appointment. At this appointment, we remove the temporary teeth and place the completed crown on your tooth to check its fit, comfort, and appearance. If the crown is too snug, we may shave down the sides of the adjacent teeth. If there is too much space between the crown and your other teeth, it will need to be sent back to the lab, and a new one created. If everything looks and feels fine, the crown is secured onto the tooth using dental cement. Same Day Crowns CEREC Same Day Crown When it comes to treating teeth affected by physical damage, such from a fracture or a larger amount of decay, a crown is most often the recommended treatment. Crowns are also frequently used following a root canal. They help to protect the tooth and give it back the strength it needs to function just like it used to. The problem with the traditional crown procedure, however, is that you have to schedule two appointments. Summit Dental Care can provide you with a dental crown in just one appointment with CEREC. What’s The Problem With Two Appointments? The traditional crown procedure requires that you have two separate appointments. While this might not seem like a major issue at first, there are a few drawbacks. First, an additional appointment means that you need to take more time out of your busy schedule. While you are waiting for your crown to be completed, you have to wear a temporary crown. The crown might not properly protect your tooth or can fall out. This can increase your risk of developing an infection. Moreover, if your final crown does not fit properly when you come back for your second appointment, it may need to be sent back to the lab for adjustments. This means that you need to schedule yet another appointment. Single Visit Crowns With CEREC CEREC technology allows us to provide you with a gorgeous, natural ceramic crown in just one appointment. After preparing your tooth, we then take a digital impression. Your crown is designed on the computer. Our in-house milling unit then uses that design to cut out your custom crown, all while you wait in the office. Once the crown has been cut out from the ceramic, it is finished. When complete, we can fix it right away. If any adjustments are needed, we can make them right in the office. After the adjustments are made, we can then cement the crown into place on the tooth. You do not have to schedule additional appointments – everything is done in one visit. Improving Your Smile And Your Oral Health CEREC crowns are made from ceramic, a material that allows us to create natural restorations that look like the rest of your natural teeth. Once cemented onto the tooth, there is no distinguishing the crown from the rest of your teeth. In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, ceramic is also a durable material. It may not have the same strength as metal, but it can easily face most normal daily use. The material is as strong, and in some cases stronger, than your natural teeth. Even so, ceramic can still be damaged, so it is important to take good care of your crowns. Can CEREC Make Other Restorations? Crowns are not the only ceramic restorations that CEREC can make. This technology can also be used to make ceramic veneers, inlays, and onlays. It can also be used to make bridges, crowns for Dental Implants, and even implant surgical guides. If you need a crown, CEREC crowns can provide you with a beautiful new restoration in just one appointment. For more information, call Summit Dental Care at (208) 733-9999 today. Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to get a dental crown? Typically, our cosmetic dentists can place your dental crown in just two appointments. During the first visit, we’ll take detailed impressions of your teeth and send them to a laboratory, where your crown will be customized to match your teeth. In about two weeks, the crown will be ready and you can return to our office so we can bond it to your tooth. Can I replace a gold or metal crown with a porcelain crown? Yes! Many patients ask us about upgrading old crowns to porcelain for a more natural appearance. In most cases, this can be done without any issues. If you’re interested in switching out your gold or metal crown for porcelain, give us a call and schedule a consultation. What if my crown gets damaged? If your crown gets damaged, it will most likely need to be replaced. Don’t attempt to fix the crown yourself, as this can result in further damage and set your treatment back. Just call our office right away and explain the issue. Our experienced restorative dentists will provide the care you need as soon as possible.