ver time our teeth may begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration and others. Theses changes happen slowly overtime and are generally the result of parafunctional habits, oral hygine, or previous restorations in need of repair. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel a porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.
The process of installing a crown typically takes 2-3 visits to a normal dentist office. On the first visit the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready, which usually take 2-3 weeks. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back.
At Dogwood Dental the process to fabricate a single unit crown is more patient and time friendly. Typically a crown can be delivered in the same appointment, in about 1-2 hours. All of the previous steps of the first dental visit are the same, as in a normal dental office. But, instead of making a traditional impression and sending it out to a dental lab, Dogwood Dental utilizes cutting edge technology and an on-site dental laboratory to make the process of restoring your tooth not only more comfortable but also more conservative of tooth structure. With the all new CEREC Machines with Blue Cam, Dr. Councill and his team are able to make restorations that are more lifelike and bio-compatible then porcelain fused to metal crowns of yesterday; while also saving you time and and hassle of multiple appointments and temporaries. This innovative technology allows Dr. Councill to make a “digital impression” of your reshaped tooth. These images are used in an advanced computer program that allows the doctor to design your new crown. Once designed, instructions are sent to the milling chamber, and computer controlled burs go to work, creating your new crown. Dr. Councill and the staff at Dogwood Dental characterize your new crown to match your individual smile and try it in before making any minor adjustments. Permanent cement is applied and you leave with a brand new permanent crown!
Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.
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