Tag Archives: restorative dentistry

Dental Crowns Restore and Strengthen Your Tooth

dental-crowns-restore-and-strengthen

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 implantssleep apneaTMJ / TMD Treatmentcosmetic 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.

Tooth Replacement: Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?

dental-implant-candidate

Are you a candidate for Dental Implants?

It’s exciting to know that dental implants are an incredibly popular and effective way to replace a missing tooth. If you’re missing a tooth, know that you’re certainly not alone. Did you know, it is estimated that over 125 million Americans are missing at least one tooth?

Dental implants can resolve your missing tooth issue and fill any gaps from a missing tooth or multiple teeth – restoring the look, feel, and health of your smile. However, dental implants may not be the perfect solution for everyone, so how do you know if it’s the perfect solution for you? Let’s continue to see if you’re a dental implant candidate, shall we?

Learn more from WebMD about Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants and Their Advantages?

Made from titanium, dental implants are essentially replacement tooth roots. They are placed in the jaw to support replacement tooth – often dental crowns, dentures, or bridges. Implants are also the only option that can prevent bone loss because those titanium roots act like natural tooth roots and promote new bone growth.

Related Article: Dental Implant Guide

They also,

  • Restore facial structure and youthful smile
  • Prevent teeth from shifting toward any gaps, which can alter your bite or facial structure
  • Feel and function just like your natural teeth
  • Provide no eating restrictions

The Dental Implant Procedure is one of the most predictable and safest procedures in dentistry. They’re very durable and can last a lifetime, if they are taken care of correctly. Gone are the days of looking older than necessary because of a sagging jawline due to one or more missing teeth. Fortunately, dentures are no longer the only option! And the cost for dental implants may be far less than you expect.

Learn more from The Mayo Clinic about Dental Implant Surgery

Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?

Here are five quick signs of a good dental implant candidate:

  1. Teeth and gums are in good standing health
  2. Good oral health hygiene habits
  3. Patience for the process, it can take some time to be fully completed
  4. Good bone density
  5. A non-smoker or willing to stop smoking

These are common signs that your dentist will look for when considering if you’re a good dental implant candidate. Sometimes, your dentist may also look at why the teeth are missing.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek, our implant expert at GPS Dental in San Antonio to see if you are a candidate for implant technology. It might be the perfect remedy to preserve a youthful appearance and restore the function of your bite.

Customized Restorative Dentistry that is Best for YOU

If you are interested in tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with Dr. Skrobanek first. If you are in good general health and meet other criteria, you may be a good dental implant candidate. Scheduling a consultation at GPS Dental is your first step to see if dental implants would be a good fit for you.

Believe it or not, your health is more of a factor than your age. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for this type of tooth replacement option.

Related Article: Restore Your Smile with Tooth Replacement Options at GPS Dental

By scheduling a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek you’ll learn if you’re a dental implant candidate. If not, he can help suggest a tooth replacement option that is a better fit for you; dentures bridges and implants may be a better remedy to restore the function of your bite and your smile’s appearance.

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 implantssleep apneaTMJ / TMD Treatmentcosmetic 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

Tooth Extraction: Reasons for Pulling Teeth

 

pulling-teeth

Teeth are very sturdy and the strongest parts of the human body. So, many people expect teeth to last a lifetime. However, some issues can arise and leave teeth susceptible to extensive damage.

Unfortunately, teeth are unable to repair themselves, so once the damage is done, you’ll need a corrective procedure, or in extreme situations, a tooth extraction.

Related Article: Tooth Extraction: Will my dentist pull my tooth?

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an oral ailment that affects the alveolar bone, teeth, gums, and other components of the mouth. This oral illness stems from poor oral hygiene and the inability to remove plaque, which is a sticky substance that collects on teeth.

As plaque bacteria remain on the teeth and harden over time, gums pull away from teeth and form deep pockets that collect bacteria. Without proper treatment, pockets continue to expand allowing bacteria to eat away at the teeth and jawbone. After a while, this condition advances to periodontal disease, which can cause teeth to loosen. At this stage, tooth extraction is likely.

The best defense against periodontal disease is adequate dental care at home and from an experienced dental professional. Dr. Skrobanek will do all that he can to minimize the effects of periodontal disease and potentially limit the need for tooth extraction. However, this is contingent on the severity of the disease.

Related Article: Dental Health Awareness: Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Impacted & Overcrowded Teeth

Impacted teeth are unable to break through the gums because of an obstruction. This situation generally affects wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can be seen with an X-ray, and patients may experience persistent swelling and pain originating from the area where wisdom teeth develop. Surgical removal is often necessary to eliminate discomfort and consequences of impacted teeth.

Overcrowded teeth overlap or are jammed together. These teeth limit movement or the ability for teeth to realign when orthodontic treatment is sought. Therefore, extraction is needed to provide adequate space in order to straighten teeth later. Crowded teeth can also lead to decay as they are difficult to clean sufficiently.

Severely Decayed Teeth

Cracked and chipped teeth are the most susceptible to tooth decay, as bacteria can infiltrate teeth and lead to severe deterioration. For that reason, many clients are encouraged to repair teeth at the first sign of a fracture.

When a tooth becomes diseased, and the pulp is infected, a tooth extraction or root canal procedure is needed to treat the infection. The type of treatment is based on the severity of the disease.

At GPS Dental, we offer an array of treatments and solutions for our patients. Dr. Skrobanek is committed to helping patients maintain the health of their teeth and gums. He employs the most suitable procedure for the condition before him. A tooth extraction is only chosen when it is necessary and other treatments have proven unsuccessful. To learn more about tooth extractions and other dental procedures we have available, contact us.

Related Article: What are Your Tooth Replacement Options?

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry 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 implantssleep apneaTMJ / TMD Treatmentcosmetic 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.