If you have a tooth that’s been badly damaged by decay, wear, or trauma, you might think it’s hopeless. But the truth is that, thanks to advanced dental crowns, we can save almost any damaged tooth. And it won’t just be saved, it can look and function as well as it’s ever done in the past.
If you have a badly damaged tooth and want to learn how dental crowns can be used to repair the damage, please call (509) 927-2273 today for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane Valley.
What Dental Crowns Can Do
Dental crowns are an extremely versatile restoration. We can use them for many things, including:
- Restoring a badly decayed tooth
- Combating tooth erosion
- Repairing a cracked tooth
- Building up worn teeth
- Cosmetic situations where veneers don’t give enough support
- Protecting a tooth after root canal therapy
- Topping a dental implant
Dental crowns become the visible restoration in many situations, giving your tooth an entirely new visible surface.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a great choice for restoring badly damaged teeth. They can:
- Look like natural teeth
- Protect the entire surface of a tooth
- Restore strength to damaged teeth
- Last for decades
- Resist decay, wear, and stains
When properly cared for, dental crowns can take a tooth that looks like it’s doomed and bring it back into service for years, even decades. Not only that, the restored tooth will look and function like a natural, healthy tooth.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Full-coverage dental crowns are sheaths that fit over your natural teeth. They completely cover the visible portion of the tooth, down to and even a little below the gumline. Dental crowns are the best type of protection you can give to a damaged tooth. They’re more effective than what a partial coverage restoration such as an inlay, onlay, or veneer can give. We prefer full-coverage dental crowns when your tooth needs protection instead of a purely cosmetic enhancement. These come in three types:
- Metal
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
- Ceramic
Metal crowns are the oldest. They’ve been around for hundreds of years, and are usually made of gold or other noble metals that don’t corrode.
PFM crowns have an attractive ceramic exterior that is attached to a metal understructure.
Ceramic crowns are made of advanced ceramic materials that are many times stronger than tooth enamel. Some are even stronger than titanium.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
How do you make sure dental crowns last their longest? Actually, it’s easy: take care of them as you do natural teeth.
Don’t use your crowned teeth as tools. The crown may be strong, but it it is not unbreakable. It might hold up for a while, but it will fail early if you abuse it.
Brush your teeth twice daily, and floss every day. Make sure you’re cleaning the crown well. The crown itself is immune to decay, but accumulation around the crown can lead to receding gums, which exposes the crown margin. Once that happens, decay can get under the crown, damaging the tooth underneath.
You don’t have to use special toothpaste to care for crowns. Some toothpastes are too abrasive, but they can damage your teeth, too. We can help you avoid toothpastes that are bad for teeth and restorations.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
If you are in Spokane Valley and need a dental crown, we can help. Please call (509) 927-2273 today for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics.
