Category Archives: Dental Crown
Dental Crowns at GPS Dental in San Antonio: Restoring and Protecting Your Smile
Restoring and Protecting Your Smile
Maintaining dental health is essential for overall well-being, and sometimes that means more than just regular cleanings or checkups. When teeth become damaged due to decay, injury, or wear, dental crowns can be a reliable solution for restoring both the function and appearance of your teeth. At GPS Dental, dental crowns are a highly effective treatment option for various dental concerns, providing protection, strength, and aesthetic enhancement.
This blog will cover what dental crowns are, why they are necessary, the different types of crowns available, and why choosing GPS Dental for your crown treatment can make all the difference for your smile.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns, commonly known as “caps,” are custom-made restorations that fully cover a damaged tooth to protect it from further harm and restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used in situations where a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a simple filling or other treatments.
At GPS Dental, crowns are designed with precision, utilizing materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or combinations of these. Each material offers specific benefits, so the choice of crown depends on your personal dental needs, preferences, and lifestyle.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
Dental crowns are versatile and are used in various situations. Your GPS Dental team may recommend a dental crown for any of the following reasons:
1. To Protect a Weak Tooth
When a tooth is weakened by decay, fractures, or other damage, a dental crown helps protect it from breaking or further decay. The crown acts as a protective cover, shielding the tooth from additional harm.
2. To Restore a Broken or Severely Worn Tooth
Teeth can become worn down over time due to grinding (bruxism) or the natural wear and tear of chewing. A crown can restore the tooth’s shape and function, ensuring you can chew comfortably and smile with confidence.
3. To Support a Tooth with a Large Filling
When a tooth has a large filling and little natural tooth structure remains, a crown can be placed over the tooth to provide support and prevent further damage. This is common for teeth that have undergone extensive dental work in the past.
4. To Complete a Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal, the treated tooth is often left vulnerable to fractures. A dental crown is placed on the tooth to restore its strength and protect it from future damage.
5. To Improve Cosmetic Appearance
Crowns aren’t just functional—they’re also highly cosmetic. They can be used to cover teeth that are discolored, misshapen, or otherwise visually imperfect. By using materials like porcelain, crowns blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, giving you a more beautiful smile.
6. To Replace Missing Teeth
Dental crowns are often used with dental bridges or implants to replace missing teeth. For a bridge, crowns are placed on the adjacent teeth to anchor the replacement tooth. For an implant, the crown is placed on top of the implant post, effectively restoring the appearance and function of the missing tooth.
The Process of Getting Dental Crowns at GPS Dental
When you visit GPS Dental for a dental crown, the process typically involves two appointments. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Initial Consultation and Tooth Preparation
During your first visit, your GPS Dental dentist will assess the damaged tooth and determine if a crown is necessary. If a crown is recommended, the tooth is prepared by removing any decayed or weakened parts. The tooth is shaped to accommodate the crown, and in cases where the tooth has sustained significant damage, the dentist may build it up with filling material to create a stable base.
2. Impressions and Temporary Crown
Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. This impression is sent to a lab where your custom crown is created. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be placed over your tooth to protect it while your permanent crown is being fabricated.
3. Permanent Crown Placement
At your second visit, your temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent crown will be checked for fit, comfort, and color. Once everything is perfect, the crown will be cemented into place, and any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure a comfortable bite and a natural look.
After the procedure, your crown will look and function just like a natural tooth, and with proper care, it can last many years.
Benefits of Dental Crowns at GPS Dental
There are numerous advantages to getting dental crowns at GPS Dental. Some of the key benefits include:
- Protection: Crowns protect damaged or weakened teeth from further harm, preventing the need for more extensive treatments in the future.
- Durability: Dental crowns are long-lasting, providing reliable function for many years, especially when properly cared for.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Porcelain and ceramic crowns blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, enhancing the appearance of your smile.
- Restored Functionality: Crowns restore the ability to chew, bite, and speak comfortably, improving your overall oral function and quality of life.
- Versatility: Whether you’re addressing decay, cracks, discoloration, or missing teeth, crowns offer a flexible solution for various dental problems.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns
To ensure the longevity of your dental crowns from GPS Dental, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s recommendations. Here are some tips for caring for your crowns:
- Brush and Floss Regularly: Keep up with your oral hygiene routine by brushing twice a day and flossing daily to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
- Avoid Hard Foods: Although crowns are durable, they can still be damaged by chewing on hard objects like ice, hard candy, or bones. Be mindful of what you eat.
- Attend Regular Dental Checkups: Regular visits to GPS Dental will help ensure that your crown and surrounding teeth remain healthy. Your dentist can monitor the condition of your crown and address any issues early on.
- Use a Nightguard if You Grind Your Teeth: If you tend to grind your teeth at night, a nightguard can protect your crown from excessive wear and prevent fractures.
Why Choose GPS Dental for Dental Crowns?
GPS Dental is dedicated to providing high-quality dental care with a personalized touch. When you choose GPS Dental for your crown treatment, you’re getting expert care from a team that uses advanced technology and the latest materials to ensure the best possible results.
Whether you need a crown for a damaged tooth, to complete a root canal, or as part of a dental implant restoration, GPS Dental offers customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. The dental professionals at GPS Dental are committed to restoring your smile and helping you maintain optimal oral health.
Dental crowns at GPS Dental offer an excellent solution for patients looking to restore and protect their teeth. With a variety of materials available, crowns provide both functional and aesthetic benefits, ensuring your smile looks and feels its best. If you’re in need of a dental crown, schedule a consultation with GPS Dental today to explore how their expert team can help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Options to Fix a Broken Tooth: A Comprehensive Guide
A broken tooth can be a distressing experience, impacting not just your smile but also your confidence and overall oral health. Whether it’s a minor chip or a more severe fracture, addressing the issue promptly is crucial. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a range of solutions tailored to restore both the function and aesthetics of your teeth. In this blog, we’ll explore the various options available to fix a broken tooth, from simple bonding techniques to more advanced restorative procedures, helping you understand what to expect and how to choose the best treatment for your needs.
Understanding the Types of Tooth Damage
Before delving into the treatment options, it’s important to understand the different types of tooth damage:
- Minor Chips: Small pieces of enamel that break off.
- Cracks: Visible or invisible lines that run through the tooth.
- Fractures: Larger breaks that may affect the tooth structure significantly.
- Split Tooth: A crack that runs from the surface to the root.
- Decay-Induced Breaks: When a tooth weakens and breaks due to cavities.
Each type of damage requires a specific approach for effective treatment.
Immediate Steps to Take
If you break a tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there’s bleeding, apply pressure with a piece of gauze until it stops. Applying a cold compress on the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken tooth can help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage discomfort until you see your dentist.
Treatment Options
- Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an ideal solution for minor chips and cracks. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the damaged area, which is then shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Bonding is relatively quick, often completed in a single visit, and is less expensive than other cosmetic procedures. It’s particularly suitable for front teeth or areas with minimal bite pressure.
- Dental Veneers
For more extensive cosmetic damage, dental veneers may be the preferred option. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of the teeth. Made from porcelain or composite resin, they provide a natural appearance and are resistant to staining. The procedure typically requires two visits – one for tooth preparation and another for veneer placement. Veneers are an excellent choice for improving the appearance of chipped, discolored, or slightly misaligned teeth.
- Dental Crowns
When a tooth is significantly damaged or weakened, a dental crown can provide a robust solution. Crowns, also known as caps, cover the entire tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength. Made from materials such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, crowns are durable and can last many years with proper care. The process involves reshaping the tooth to fit the crown and taking an impression to create a custom-fit cap, usually requiring two visits. Learn more here.
- Root Canal Therapy
If a crack or break extends into the pulp of the tooth, causing pain or infection, root canal therapy may be necessary. This procedure involves removing the damaged or infected pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it to prevent further infection. After a root canal, a crown is typically placed over the tooth to restore its strength and functionality. Root canals can save a severely damaged tooth that might otherwise need extraction.
- Dental Implants
In cases where the tooth is beyond repair and must be extracted, dental implants offer a permanent solution. An implant involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which acts as a root for a replacement tooth. A custom-made crown is then attached to the post. Implants are highly durable and function like natural teeth. The process requires several months as the bone needs to heal around the implant, but the result is a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
- Inlays and Onlays
For damage that is too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a crown, inlays and onlays can be an effective solution. These restorations are custom-made fillings that fit into or onto the damaged tooth. Inlays fill the space between the cusps of the tooth, while onlays cover one or more cusps. Made from porcelain, composite resin, or gold, inlays and onlays are bonded to the tooth, providing a strong and durable restoration.
Choosing the Right Option
Selecting the appropriate treatment for a broken tooth depends on several factors:
- Extent of Damage: Minor chips may only need bonding, while severe fractures might require crowns or implants.
- Location of the Tooth: Front teeth, which are more visible, often require aesthetically pleasing solutions like veneers, while molars, which endure more pressure, need stronger restorations like crowns or onlays.
- Cost Considerations: Budget can influence the choice of treatment. Bonding and fillings are generally less expensive, while veneers, crowns, and implants are more costly but offer longer-lasting results.
- Oral Health: The overall health of your mouth can impact the treatment decision. For instance, if there are signs of infection or extensive decay, a root canal might be necessary before any restorative work.
Preventing Future Damage
While accidents happen, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of breaking a tooth:
- Avoid Hard Foods: Steer clear of chewing on ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can protect your teeth from damage.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
- Address Dental Issues Promptly: Treat cavities and other dental problems early to prevent them from weakening your teeth.
What can be done to restore your smile?
When damage or trauma effects your smile, Dr. Skrobanek offers multiple options to restore your tooth’s natural appearance and function. Now you know what to do when you break or lose a tooth! Give GPS Dental a call right away and we’ll quickly fix your smile using restorative dental options, including:
- Dental inlays
- Onlays
- Porcelain Crowns
- Implants
- Bridges
- Dentures
We also offer emergency tooth repair! When you are in need of urgent dental care, you can count on Dr. Skrobanek and his team at GPS Dental to deliver the high-quality treatment you need right away. Urgent root canals and other dental emergencies require timely care in order to alleviate pain and address problematic damage or infection.
Repairing a broken or chipped tooth: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth
Learn more: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-fix-a-chipped-tooth
GPS Dental Can Repair Your Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can be a distressing experience, but with the array of modern dental solutions available, it’s possible to restore both function and aesthetics effectively. Whether you need a simple bonding procedure or a more complex treatment like a dental implant, consulting with your dentist will help you determine the best course of action. By taking preventive measures and seeking prompt treatment, you can maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is a dental implant dentist and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
Restore Your Smile: Porcelain Crown San Antonio
Let’s delve into the intricacies of dental care to empower you with more knowledge and understanding. Today, we shine a spotlight on porcelain crowns, a versatile dental solution that can restore both the function and aesthetics of your smile. Whether due to decay, injury, or cosmetic concerns, there are various reasons why someone might require a porcelain crown. Join us, your Porcelain Crown San Antonio experts, as we explore the unique benefits and scenarios where this dental marvel shines, providing lasting solutions for a healthy, restored, radiant smile.
Porcelain Crowns Can Restore Your Dental Issues
Porcelain crowns are long-term, durable options for a wide range of dental problems, usually lasting between 5-15 years and can improve the strength and appearance of teeth. Your porcelain crown San Antonio experts can restore teeth that contain cracks, have a broken-down root, or has had a root canal performed (as your root canal will need a dental crown to complete the procedure) to reinforce the tooth and strengthen the surrounding area of the mouth. Along with strengthening and restoring, porcelain dental crowns have multiple advantages, such as:
- Change the appearance of a tooth by altering its shape and color: Crowns can improve the look of your smile – helping the appearance of any misshapen, broken teeth, or dental implants and can help you get the smile you’ve been dreaming of.
- Protecting a tooth from being damaged further: Broken or misshapen teeth can impact your bite and the overall health of your mouth. Crowns eliminate further damage by fixing the problem before more damage can occur.
- Durable and stain resistant: Porcelain crowns are known to last for many years and are extremely stain resistant, helping your smile stay protected and spotless for a long time.
- Uses safe porcelain material that is FDA approved and non-harmful for patients: Porcelain crowns are known to be the most comfortable options for a patient’s mouth and are free of any harmful or toxic materials.
Along with all of these advantages, porcelain crown San Antonio can help restore the form, function, and aesthetics of your smile.
Are Dental Crowns Part of a Full-Mouth Restoration?
Creating your perfect smile might require a little more than the right toothbrush. If your teeth have become worn, broken, and decayed, you might consider a full mouth restoration. If you have a few missing and broken teeth, you are also a good candidate for full mouth restoration.
What is a Full Mouth Restoration?
A full mouth restoration is just what it sounds like rebuilding and replacing teeth to restore your mouth to full health and beauty. Sometimes, it is also called a full mouth reconstruction or a “smile makeover.” Regardless of its name, the benefits of having full-mouth reconstruction go beyond aesthetic, as it is also often done to improve overall health and functionality of the mouth.
Related Article: Dental Crowns Restore and Strengthen Your Tooth
What Other Procedures Can Improve Your Smile?
With a damaged tooth, some patients opt to simply remove or extract it. Other options can improve your smile during a full mouth restoration other than crowns and extractions. These options include bridges, veneers, dental implants, onlays, and dentures. Any of these options might be more appropriate, depending on the condition of your mouth and preference.
Your requirements will be unique. There are other options available in terms of full-mouth restoration tools, but in some cases, a crown might be your best option because dental crowns can restore teeth. Consultations and examinations are necessary before a full mouth restoration. Discussing treatment options with your porcelain crown San Antonio experts, including the potential for dental crowns, is an important part of the planning process. Let’s dive into this topic and discuss how dental crowns can restore teeth.
What Is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire tooth to restore its shape and size. These crowns provide added stability and strength to teeth that have been damaged or are decaying. These caps are made of porcelain. That porcelain is sculpted to resemble your tooth in its original shape, color, and function. It covers the affected part of your tooth while also replicating the natural shade of your teeth.
A porcelain crown protects a weak tooth from decay or breakage, restores a broken tooth, and supports a tooth with a large filling when only a small amount of the tooth is left. It can also hold a dental bridge in place or be used to make a cosmetic modification.
Porcelain crowns contain ceramic material, which is almost as durable as natural tooth enamel, more so when restoring a tooth. Porcelain crowns are strong and almost undetectable, lasting up to 15 years.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Whether or not you need a dental crown depends on the function and state of your teeth. If you have quite a few broken teeth, require a root canal procedure, or need a large filling, a dental crown will likely be an option to help restore those teeth. Your next step is to schedule your smile consultation!
5 Steps: Getting a Dental Crown Procedure
Porcelain crowns can restore teeth and are a common dental procedure done to repair damaged or broken teeth. From the outside looking in, the process of getting a dental crown procedure might seem complicated, but we’ve broken it down into five comprehensible stages.
- Consult: At this stage, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine if a dental crown is needed. Dental crowns are often used on broken or misshapen teeth. They might also be used in the case of a large filling or a root canal.
- X-ray: A dental X-ray helps your dentist fully evaluate your oral health. With this technology, issues like an abscess, infection, decay, and bone loss are visible. Some of these conditions might lead you to require a dental crown.
- Treatment Plan: If you require a dental crown procedure, it will be included in your treatment plan, along with any other treatments you need to restore your dental health. The treatment plan is almost a follow-up from the consult, but now, you move forward with more information regarding the current state of your dental health. At this point, it is time to prepare a plan of action. If you and your dentist determine that a dental crown is the best option to reconstruct your teeth moving forward, the dentist will prepare a final and a temporary crown.
- Prep the Crown: A final crown needs to be custom made, as they are created to suit your mouth. The shape is determined by using an impression or mold. The first step is filing down your tooth. The impression is made of the filed-down tooth, as well as the teeth beside it, to ensure that the final crown fits in the space perfectly. It takes time to construct your final crown, so in the meantime, a temporary one is used. A temporary crown is made using an impression of your tooth before it was filed down. The temporary crown is manufactured using acrylic-based material and will be created for you in our office. The temporary crown protects the tooth while the final crown is prepared.
- Seat the Crown: When your final crown is ready, you will return to the dentist to have it seated. The temporary crown will be taken out, and your final crown will be placed upon the tooth. Once your dentist ensures that the crown is the perfect fit, it will be cemented into place.
Getting a dental crown procedure is a much less intimidating process than it seems, especially once you understand the steps involved.
The Benefits of Choosing to Get a Porcelain Crown
As mentioned, a porcelain crown is durable and a more aesthetically-pleasing option to address broken or rotten teeth. Also, installing a porcelain crown may reduce sensitivity so you can eat, drink, or clean your teeth a bit easier. In comparison with other materials, porcelain crowns require a low level of maintenance. Consistent brushing and flossing are all that’s needed to keep your crown looking new, which is what you should provide to all of your teeth. You can enjoy your favorite food or drinks without worrying about staining your crown as porcelain is stain-resistant.
Your dentist can mold a porcelain crown to any size and shape, so you don’t even feel like you’re wearing a crown. Furthermore, any complications, such as tooth discomfort and sensitivity to temperature, are minimal.
Related Article: Restore Your Smile: Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Basically, porcelain crowns can restore teeth (restorative dentistry) and their function while providing a natural look . They help you regain the original look and size of any tooth or can take the place of a missing tooth to make your smile whole again. Crowns must be cared for just like regular teeth, so you can continue to brush and floss the crown just as any other tooth. Although dental crowns are both strong and effective, they typically only last about ten years. Remember that you should continue to check in with your dentist to ensure that your crown is still functioning properly.
To keep your crowns healthy and long-lasting, make sure to:
- See your dentist every 6 months for a dental exam & cleaning
- Brush your teeth twice each day
- Floss daily
- Avoid hard or sticky foods that could cause damage
- Use fluoride treatments, if recommended
We Can Restore Your Teeth with a Porcelain Crown
If you thought porcelain crowns were just just used to complete a root canal treatment, now you know that porcelain crowns can restore teeth for many other reasons. Dental crowns are used to complete many treatments in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Remember, if you don’t like your smile because it’s cracked, misaligned, stained, or in poor health – your porcelain crown San Antonio experts can help!
Call and schedule a Smile Consultation with Gary Skrobanek, DDS our Smile Makeover Expert at GPS Dental! We work hard to make sure our patients have healthy, confident smiles they love to share with others. We’d love to help you smile every day too.!
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Dental Crowns Restore and Strengthen Your Tooth
How Porcelain Crowns Can Restore Your Dental Issues
Porcelain crowns can restore and strengthen your tooth and are long-term, durable options for a wide range of dental problems, usually lasting between 5-15 years and can improve the appearance of teeth. Teeth that contain cracks, have a broken-down root, or have had a root canal performed may need a dental crown to reinforce the tooth and strengthen the surrounding area of the mouth. Along with strengthening and restoring, porcelain dental crowns have multiple advantages, such as:
- Protecting a tooth from being damaged further: Broken or misshapen teeth can impact your bite and the overall health of your mouth. Crowns eliminate further damage by fixing the problem before more damage can occur.
- Change the appearance of a tooth by altering its shape and color: Crowns can improve the look of your smile – helping the appearance of any misshapen, broken teeth, or dental implants and can help you get the smile you’ve been dreaming of.
- Uses safe porcelain material that is FDA approved and non-harmful for patients: Porcelain crowns are known to be the most comfortable options for a patient’s mouth and are free of any harmful or toxic materials.
- Durable and stain resistant: Porcelain crowns are known to last for many years and are extremely stain resistant, helping your smile stay protected and spotless for a long time.
Along with plentiful advantages, the risks of porcelain crowns are also very low and help restore the form, function, and aethetics of your smile.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Whether or not you need a dental crown depends on the function and state of your teeth. If you have quite a few broken teeth, require a root canal procedure, or are having a large filling done, a dental crown can restore and strengthen your tooth and will likely be included in your treatment plan. Your next step is to schedule your smile consultation!
5 Steps: Getting a Dental Crown Procedure
Fitting a dental crown is a common dental procedure done to repair damaged or broken teeth. From the outside looking in, the process of getting a dental crown procedure might seem complicated, but we’ve broken it down into five comprehensible stages:
- Consult: At this stage, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine if a dental crown is needed. Dental crowns are often used on broken or misshapen teeth. They might also be used in the case of a large filling or a root canal.
- X-ray: A dental X-ray helps your dentist fully evaluate your oral health. With this technology, issues like an abscess, infection, decay, and bone loss are visible. Some of these conditions might lead you to require a dental crown to restore the health of your tooth.
- Treatment Plan: If you require a dental crown procedure, it will be included in your treatment plan, along with any other treatments you need to restore your dental health. The treatment plan is almost a follow-up from the consult, but now, you move forward with more information regarding the current state of your dental health. At this point, it is time to prepare a plan of action. If you and your dentist determine that a dental crown is the best option to reconstruct your teeth moving forward, the dentist will prepare a temporary and permanent crown.
- Prep the Crown: A final crown needs to be custom made, as they are created to suit your mouth. The shape is determined by using an impression or mold. The first step is filing down your tooth. The impression is made of the filed-down tooth, as well as the teeth beside it, to ensure that the final crown fits in the space perfectly. It takes time to construct your final crown, so in the meantime, a temporary one is used. A temporary crown is made using an impression of your tooth before it was filed down. The temporary crown is manufactured using acrylic-based material and will be done in our office during your visit. The temporary crown protects the tooth while the final crown is prepared.
- Seat the Crown: When your final crown is ready, you’ll have to return to the dentist to have it seated. The temporary crown will be taken out, and your final crown will be placed upon the tooth. Once your dentist ensures that the crown is the perfect fit, it will be cemented into place.
Getting a dental crown procedure is a much less intimidating process than it seems, especially once you understand the steps involved.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Now that you understand how dental crowns restore and strengthen your tooth (restorative dentistry), they also provide a great, natural look (cosmetic dentistry). They help you regain the original look and size of any tooth or can take the place of a missing tooth to make your smile whole again. Crowns must be cared for just like regular teeth, so you can continue to brush and floss the crown just as any other tooth. Although dental crowns are both strong and effective, they typically only last about ten years. Remember that you should continue to check in with your dentist to ensure that your crown is still functioning properly.
To keep your crowns healthy and long-lasting, make sure to:
- See your dentist routinely
- Brush your teeth twice each day
- Floss daily
- Avoid hard or sticky foods that could cause damage
- Use fluoride treatments, if recommended
Restore your teeth with a Porcelain Crown Smile Makeover
If you thought porcelain crowns were just just used to complete a root canal treatment, now you know that dental crowns can restore and strengthen your tooth and are used to complete many treatments in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. We also use porcelain crowns on our smile makeover patients. Remember, if you don’t like your smile because it’s cracked, misaligned, stained, or in poor health – we can help! Call and schedule a Smile Consultation with Dr. Skrobanek! We work hard to make sure our patients have healthy, confident smiles they love to share with others.
Restorative Dentistry Procedures Available at GPS Dental
If you want to improve and rejuvenate your smile or have questions about restorative dentistry procedures, we’d love to answer them. And if you need a need a dental crown, know you know that dental crowns restore and strengthen your teeth! Just give us a call and schedule your consultation!
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Restore Your Smile: Do you need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns can greatly extend the life of a tooth. They’re common, often painless, and help restore a smile. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of surveyed adults said that a healthy smile is socially important to them. You may need a dental crown to restore a tooth, but how do you know when you need a dental crown?
Learn more about Dental Crowns from WebMD HERE.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that is placed over a broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth to restore it to its original shape and appearance. It is one of the most common dental procedures and has evolved (thanks to modern technology) into a practically painless procedure that serves to strengthen and protect the tooth for many years.
In the past, teeth that were damaged usually had to be removed. So, in essence, dental crowns allow patients to keep their own teeth, even damaged ones, often for the rest of their lives.
Most Common Reasons to Need a Dental Crown
Dental crowns are essentially tooth-shaped and colored caps that cover the tooth and restore the health and look of a tooth. You may need a dental crown in certain situations – let’s look at some of the most popular reasons.
The 9 Most Common Reasons that You May Need a Dental Crown Are:
- Cover and protect a tooth that has been weakened, usually due to decay
- Reinforce a tooth that has had a root canal
- Broken tooth repair
- Stabilize sections of a cracked tooth
- Repair a tooth that has been severely worn down
- Cover and strengthen a tooth where there is a large filling and very little tooth structure remaining
- Anchor a dental bridge in place
- Repair misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- Encase a dental implant
Let’s talk a little more about a couple of these reasons:
Dental Crown: Cavities
Sometimes, small cavities can be fixed with a filling. However, fillings aren’t always a long-term solution. When a cavity is larger or requires something more substantial than a filling, a dental crown is often the next logical step. Once a cavity enters in the tooth, it weakens it and is now extra prone to additional damage. A dental crown can restore the strength and longevity to that tooth and so, it may be covered with a crown. Learn More HERE.
Related Article: What does Oral Bacteria have to do with a Pretty Smile?
Need a Dental Crown: Root Canal
If the nerve of a tooth is infected, a root canal will be required to fix it. During a root canal procedure, the tooth will be hollowed out and this makes the tooth extremely prone to cracking or fracturing. Often, your dentist will then use a dental crown after a root canal to protect and strengthen the weakened tooth.
Related Article: Root Canal Treatment: Root Canal Myths Debunked
Need a Dental Crown: Broken Tooth or Cosmetic Modification
Not every cracked tooth will require a dental crown, but if a crack is deep or painful, crowns are often the best solution. If someone experiences major tooth stress from grinding their teeth, for example, then dental crowns may be a great solution to restore the integrity to the stressed tooth and eliminate pain.
Dental crowns can also fix any teeth that are small, discolored, or requires a cosmetic modification. This is because a dental crown looks and feels like a real tooth and can be colored to match the rest of your teeth to look natural and beautiful.
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- The Number 1 Reason Visit the Dentist: Tooth Pain. But Why??
- Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Dental Crown
Dental Crown Benefits
Dental crowns provide several benefits, including:
- Restoring normal tooth shape and function
- Improved aesthetics (a better-looking smile)
- Protecting the underlying tooth from infection or further damage
- Allowing for natural underlying tooth structure to be kept (as opposed to extracting natural teeth and placing implants)
Schedule Your Smile Consultation Today
We can also combine our services to create a full smile makeover! If you’re concerned about discolored, missing, chipped, misaligned, decayed, or cracked teeth, come talk to us to see what your best solution is for a healthy, beautiful smile. We can help you create a smile you can be proud of.
Restorative Dentistry Procedures Available at GPS Dental
If you want to improve and rejuvenate your smile or have questions about restorative dentistry procedures, we’d love to answer them. Just give us a call and schedule your consultation!
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
