Sep
Try as you may to protect your teeth, accidents happen, leaving you to deal with the aftermath of a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. Fortunately, damaged teeth aren’t always a lost cause. They can often be repaired with dental crowns. What are crowns, and how do they work? Drs. John Aurelia and Dina Khoury, along with your dental team in Rochester, Michigan, answer these questions and others for patients in Lake Orion.
Crowns are special caps that cover teeth damaged by wear and tear, decay, or injury. These caps are custom-made for your teeth to restore your tooth’s bite, shape, color, and structure. A crown will cover your entire tooth all the way to the gum line. Once cemented in place, crowns become a permanent part of your smile.
Repairing tooth damage is but one of the many uses of dental crowns. If you have significant decay in a tooth that a filling alone can’t treat, we will most likely recommend a crown. Crowns also protect root canal teeth, restore worn and weak teeth, support dental bridges, and replace lost teeth with single implants.
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or non-metal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.
Dental crowns are primarily crafted from materials such as porcelain and zirconia. These options offer a natural appearance and are often used for teeth that are prominently visible when you smile.
Crowns generally require two dental appointments. The first is to evaluate your tooth, prepare it for a crown, and take impressions for the lab that will create your crown. To avoid sensitivity, we’ll place a temporary crown while your lab-made crown is fabricated. When your lab crown is ready, we’ll schedule another appointment to place it permanently.
Today’s crowns are built to last and, with good oral care, can last 15+ years. When they show signs of damage or wear out, we can replace them to keep your teeth going strong for life.
Not really. You brush and floss crowned teeth just like non-crowned teeth. You’ll also see your dentist every 6 months for a routine cleaning. Crowns are strong but not indestructible, so avoid habits that can cause damage, such as chewing on ice, eating hard foods, and using your teeth as tools.
At John L. Aurelia, D.D.S., PLLC, we specialize in dental crowns and proudly serve Lake Orion, MI, and the surrounding areas. To arrange a consultation for this treatment, please call us at (248) 243-6044.