Do you have a worn tooth? Is it uncomfortable for you to bite and chew because of an injured tooth? Our office offers dental crown treatment to patients in Allen, TX. Crowns provide a more in-depth approach to restoring a decayed or damaged tooth. Dental crowns are caps that completely cover a broken, worn, or cracked tooth and protect it from further damage. They play an important role in protecting the teeth underneath.
High-quality materials and expert techniques ensure that crowns are just like natural teeth. One of the benefits of dental crowns is their durability and ability to mimic natural teeth. They also support and preserve the remaining tooth structure. Our dentists want to do everything possible to keep your smile in shape. Restorative dentistry services, including dental crown treatment, are the most effective way to improve a smile’s feel and function.
What Can Dental Crowns Treat?
Crowns can treat a variety of dental problems. Dental crowns can:
- Restore a missing tooth with an implant
- Secure a traditional dental bridge
- Preserve cracked and broken teeth
- Cover large dental fillings
- Protect worn and damaged teeth
- Cover decayed teeth after root canal treatment
We may recommend dental crowns over other cosmetic or restorative treatments. Dental crowns can provide more thorough protection to teeth compared to bonding or dental veneers.
Dental Crown Materials
Dentists can use many types of materials to create dental crowns. The most common dental crown materials include:
- Metal: Silver and gold dental crowns are popular crown materials of the past. Metal crowns offer durability for optimal biting and chewing. However, metal crowns are noticeable, even on the molars in the back of the mouth. Metal can also increase tooth sensitivity, particularly to temperature.
- Porcelain: A porcelain ceramic or porcelain crown is one of the most natural-looking options for dental crowns. These tooth-colored materials blend in with the smile. Porcelain materials also provide durability.
- Zirconia: These crowns offer durable and long-lasting results. Typically, dentists use porcelain with zirconia. Zirconia crowns can be challenging to match to natural teeth. Due to their material, zirconia crowns may also be expensive.
- Porcelain fused to metal: While porcelain crowns are durable on their own, metal can increase the strength of these crowns. The inside of these crowns is made of a metal alloy. Porcelain covers the outside of the crown.
We will recommend the right type of crown for you based on your budget, goals, and dental needs. Typically, we recommend crowns that provide strength yet a natural look. Our goal is to offer dental crowns that look and feel natural.
Dental Crown Treatment in Allen, TX
Tooth crowns are custom-made porcelain, metal, or ceramic restorations that fully cover and protect teeth. We customize dental crown treatment for each patient. You can receive one or more tooth crowns in just two visits to our dental office.
Preparing Teeth For Crowns
To begin dental crown treatment, we examine which teeth require care. Then, we prepare the teeth to receive the crowns. We may etch into the tooth enamel or outer layer during tooth preparation. However, we will only remove a small portion from the tooth.
Preparation is an essential step in dental crown treatment. Tooth preparation will shape the tooth, remove decay, and ensure the dental crown fits precisely. You will not feel any pain during tooth preparation. We will use a local anesthetic to numb the treated area before we prepare the tooth.
Tooth Impressions
Then, we take dental impressions of the prepared teeth. We send these impressions to a dental lab that creates the crowns using a reflective, tooth-like material. In addition, we will place temporary crowns during this process. Temporary crowns will help protect your prepared teeth while waiting for your final crowns.
Final Crown Placement
You may return to our office for your final crowns after two to three weeks. Once your permanent dental crowns are complete, we remove the temporary crown. We will ensure the permanent crowns match the shape and shade of your teeth. Finally, we cement the permanent crowns with a bonding material and polish the crowns for a natural sheen.
How To Care For Dental Crowns
You should brush and floss between your crowns like natural teeth. We recommend brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You may also use toothpaste without abrasive ingredients to prevent crown damage. We also ask that you avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods as you get accustomed to your new crowns. However, after several days, you can eat without dietary restrictions.
With the proper care and continual dental visits, crowns can last many years. On average, dental crowns can last 15 or more years. Dental crowns are a long-term solution to protect and preserve teeth.
If you damage your crown or if your crown feels loose, contact our office. Harmful bacteria can infect your tooth underneath your crown. Bacteria can also infect the gums surrounding your crown. We can provide a temporary crown and create a custom replacement if you damage or lose your crown.
Visit our office twice a year so we can examine your crowns and provide a dental cleaning. We need to ensure that your crowns fit precisely and feel comfortable.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are known as partial crowns. These treatments cover a smaller part of the tooth. If you have a cavity or damage to the top or chewing surface of your tooth, we may recommend an inlay or onlay over a dental crown in our Allen, TX office.
An inlay covers the tooth’s chewing surface inside the top sides of the tooth. Onlays cover the top of the tooth, including the sides. Similar to dental crowns, inlays and onlays are separate pieces we place on teeth. These partial crowns can use gold, porcelain, or composite materials.
Dental Crown FAQs
Discover more about dental crowns in Allen, TX, with answers to these commonly asked questions:
Can I eat normally with a dental crown?
Yes, you can eat normally with a dental crown, but to protect it, avoid very hard or sticky foods. After you get a temporary crown, you may want to be more careful until we place your permanent crown.
Can a dental crown be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
A dental crown usually can’t be repaired if it gets damaged. Instead, it will need to be replaced. If your crown chips or cracks, your dentist will likely take impressions of your tooth and make a new one that fits perfectly. Replacing a damaged crown will keep your tooth protected and avoid any further issues.
Can a dental crown get cavities?
A dental crown doesn’t get cavities, but the tooth underneath it can still develop cavities. That’s why you need to still take care of your crown and keep your teeth and gums clean. If your tooth gets a cavity, your crown may feel loose. Let us know if you feel a change in how your crown feels so we can examine it.
Will getting a dental crown hurt?
Getting a dental crown is usually not painful. The area around your tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel anything. After the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, but it should go away quickly.
How long does it take to get a dental crown?
You can get a dental crown in two office visits. The first visit is to prepare your tooth and make a mold. The second visit is when your permanent crown is placed. The process usually takes a couple of weeks between visits to allow for the crown to be made.
What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
A filling can treat a small cavity or hole in a tooth. Crowns cover and protect a larger portion of the tooth, often when the tooth is badly damaged or weakened. A crown is like a cap that fits over the entire tooth. In some cases, we may cover a filling with a crown.
How much are dental crowns?
The cost of a dental crown can vary depending on the material and number of crowns you get. We use porcelain crowns that are less expensive than harder materials like zirconia but cost more than resin. Every patient is different, so we will review the cost of your crowns before treatment.
When will I need a crown after a root canal?
You will usually need a dental crown after a root canal if your tooth is weak or damaged. A root canal removes the infected tissue inside the tooth, but this can leave the tooth more fragile. A crown goes over your tooth to make it stronger and protect it, especially for back teeth that do a lot of chewing.
Receive Tooth Crowns Today
Do you want to strengthen a worn or weakened tooth? Are you interested in dental crown treatment in Allen, TX? Call Allen Dental Center at 972.640.7564. You can also request a dental consultation with us online.
Our dental office serves most of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including surrounding cities and towns. We serve Plano, Allen, Carrollton, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, Garland, Richardson, Rockwall, and The Colony. Our team cannot wait to help you achieve the smile you deserve!