Dental Crowns – Holbrook, MA | Brampton, ON
Save Your Natural Tooth with Dental Crowns
If you’ve experienced a broken tooth or decay that encompasses a lot of your tooth, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs to be extracted. At Salvaggio Dentistry, we believe in saving a natural tooth whenever possible. But because of the circumstances, sometimes the crown, or top of your tooth, needs some extra support. That’s where a dental crown comes in.
Why Choose Salvaggio Dentistry for Dental Crowns?
- Personalized treatment plan created for each patient
- Experienced, friendly team of dental professionals
- Extended hours offered for convenience
What is a dental crown?
Sometimes called a cap, a dental crown is a porcelain dental prosthetic that is placed on top of your natural tooth. It replaces lost or damaged tooth structure above the surfaces of the gums and helps you get your tooth’s full function and health back. In addition, with advances in materials and technology, dental crowns are now crafted to look exactly like real teeth.
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
In addition to enabling you to continue using a tooth that was broken or decayed, a dental crown has many benefits, including the following:
- It helps prevent additional decay.
- It strengthens your natural tooth structure.
- It improves the appearance of your broken or decayed tooth.
- It can correct an oddly shaped or discolored tooth.
- It can replace silver crowns.
- It is made of durable material that is also stain resistant.
When would I need a dental crown?
When you meet with one of our experienced dentists, they can help you determine whether you need a dental crown or another type of treatment. However, here are some examples of common instances when a dental crown is used:
- Replace a large filling.
- Protect a weakened tooth from fracturing.
- Restore a broken or fractured tooth.
- Attach a dental bridge.
- Cover a dental implant.
- Cover dark tooth discoloration.
- Improve the size and shape of a tooth.
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal therapy.
How do I get a dental crown?
At Salvaggio Dentistry, the first step to getting a dental crown is scheduling an appointment with one of our experienced, talented dentists. After you both have decided that a dental crown is the best treatment for you, the process for getting a dental crown goes like this:
- One of our dentists will clean out any decay and remove a portion of your tooth to make space for the crown.
- Then, we will take impressions of your teeth, which will be sent to a dental lab that specializes in producing prosthetic teeth.
- We will place a temporary dental crown while your permanent, custom-made one is being created.
- When the final product is finished, you’ll return to our office so that your crown can be bonded to your tooth.
In just two appointments, your tooth can look, feel, and function just as it did before.
How long do dental crowns last?
The lifespan of a dental crown can range between five and fifteen years, depending on how well you maintain it. Luckily, it doesn’t require extra special care—just the same healthy oral habits that you should be doing for your natural teeth, including:
- Brushing your teeth two times a day.
- Flossing your teeth once every day.
- Visiting the dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year.
Our team of compassionate, highly trained dental professionals are committed to repairing and restoring your teeth so that you can keep your happy, healthy smile for many years. Contact us today for an appointment!
Dental Crowns FAQs
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
While dental crowns are not permanent, they are a long-term solution that can protect teeth for up to fifteen years with excellent care. However, since your dentist will have to reshape your tooth before it can receive a crown, the procedure is irreversible, and since lost tooth enamel does not grow back, the treated tooth will always need to wear a crown for protection. It’s important to remember that dental crowns serve to protect teeth from infection and additional damage, which can help them to last much longer than they would have otherwise. A few great ways to keep your dental crown in great shape include practicing excellent oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and wearing a mouthguard or nightguard for protection from sports injuries or teeth grinding.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns can last for anywhere between five and fifteen years on average, but their actual lifespans depend greatly on the material they are made from and how well they are cared for. While metal crowns can often last longer than metal-free ones, the difference is often negligible. Habits that can diminish the lifespan of your crown include smoking, chewing on ice, nail-biting, teeth grinding, and using your teeth as tools. Since crowns placed on your front teeth don’t bear as much of the pressure that comes with chewing, they generally last slightly longer than those placed on molars.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
While only a qualified dentist can make the definitive call as to whether your crown needs replacement, there are certain signs you can look out for that can tell you that your crown is nearing the end of its lifespan. A few of these include:
- Pain – If the tooth beneath your crown has become decayed, the crown will have to be removed so the cavity can be treated. Afterward, the crown may be reattached or replaced altogether.
- Instability – If your crown seems to be moving around on its tooth, contact your dentist for further instructions.
- Deteriorated appearance – Part of a dental crown’s job is to make your smile beautiful. If your crown is visibly chipped or discolored, this is reason enough to replace it.
- A dark line forming around the base – If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, a dark line may form around its base if the porcelain part is separating from the metal part. This can mean that the crown is starting to wear out and is ready for replacement.
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
While it might feel kind of funny when you first receive it, a dental crown should start feeling increasingly natural after a few days. These appliances are made from strong materials that can withstand the everyday pressures of chewing just like natural tooth enamel, so eating with a dental crown shouldn’t feel strange. When placing your crown, our dentist will take care to reshape your tooth and take detailed impressions of it so the appliance can fit perfectly and comfortably. Once you get used to wearing it, the crown should not feel awkward or even noticeable. While you may notice a slightly different texture on the appliance when you run your tongue across your teeth, you can expect to otherwise forget that you are wearing a crown at all.