When some people hear the words “cosmetic dentist,” they automatically think of treatments such as teeth whitening, that mainly affect the appearance of teeth. However, there is often both cosmetic and health benefits with some dental restorations. That’s the case with crowns. Crowns can give teeth a rejuvenated, uniform appearance. However, they also can protect teeth, hold dental bridges in place, or to provide restorations for dental implants. Dental Arts Group, in Philadelphia is a great search result for a “cosmetic dentist near me” search!
What a dental crown is:
A crown is a restoration that is installed over a weakened tooth. It covers the tooth and strengthens it, as well as improving the shape, size, and appearance of the tooth.
Types of crowns available:
- Metal: These are made of alloys that have a high content of gold, platinum, or base-metal alloys. These are incredibly strong crowns that last a long time before becoming worn down. However, they’re very evident in the mouth due to their metallic gleam and usually are chosen for molars out of the line of sight in your smile.
- Composite all-resin: These are less expensive than many other types of crowns, but are not always the most preferred material to use for a crown.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: These can be color matched to your teeth. They are a very natural looking tooth restoration choice. Sometimes the strength of these crowns makes them an excellent choice for bridges.
- Ceramic or porcelain: These are the best match to the natural look of your smile, as porcelain is the material that most closely resembles tooth enamel. They are excellent for people who have metal allergies and they are well suited for both front and back teeth.
Benefits of dental crowns:
- Long-lasting: With proper oral hygiene, many crowns can last decades!
- Simple procedure: Many people think that crowns involve a lot of dental work. However, this isn’t the case. The procedure is minimally invasive. After any prior work needed (i.e. root canal treatment) the tooth is shaped so it can hold the crown. Then an impression is taken. After this, the impression and color match are sent to the dental lab. After we receive the completed crown, we place it with a strong dental cement, ensure that it fits properly with the bite pattern and it is complete.
- Custom made: Even if a crown is made from a metal alloy, it is still custom made to fit your specific tooth and your bite alignment. This ensures that your chewing patterns aren’t impacted, and your smile remains intact.
Caring for your crown:
The best way to ensure that your crown lasts is to take proper care of it. Thankfully, this is simple, if you already have an optimal oral hygiene routine in place. It’s best to have a soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, dental floss, and antibacterial mouthwash. Brush your teeth with the soft-bristled toothbrush twice daily. The sensitive tooth toothpaste is for directly after your procedure. Sometimes, your gum line can become inflamed during dental procedures. This will help prevent further inflammation. Floss daily! To floss the crown properly, place the floss on one side of the tooth and pull it up gently along the tooth. Don’t move the floss back and forth along your gum line as this has the potential to loosen the crown. Antibacterial mouthwash assists in killing bacteria along the gum line. It is also best, going forward, to avoid sticky foods, chewing them possibly will loosen the crown. If possible, chew sticky or hard foods on the opposite side of the mouth from where the crown has been placed. Make sure to see Dr. A, twice annually, for your dental cleanings. He will use these appointments to check any crowns you’ve had installed to ensure that they are still firmly held in place, not chipped, cracked, or broken. Routine dental visits do wonders to assist us in spotting issues before they become a problem for you.
We can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Call today for your personalized consultation to find out what comfortable dentistry is all about! (215) 624-1935.