Dental Crowns
Owasso, OK
What is a Dental Crown?
Teeth can be damaged for some different reasons, including facial trauma, tooth decay, and more. While most minor damage might only affect the quality of your smile, more significant damage can have a serious impact on your oral, and overall, health. Damaged teeth can let bacteria into the inner layers of your teeth, where they can cause a serious infection.Commonly used alongside dental implants, a crown is a dental restoration that is used to treat severely damaged teeth. They are small cap-like structures that are made to fit over the entire visible surface area of an affected tooth. A crown is designed to both protect the tooth while restoring its strength, allowing it to function normally again.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are several different materials that may be used to make a dental crown. Common materials include| • | Metal: Metal crowns are the strongest crowns available, and they are practically indestructible. However, metal crowns are also either gold or silver in color, which makes them aesthetically unappealing. |
| • | Porcelain fused to metal or PFM: A PFM crown has a metal base, which surrounds and protects the tooth, with a porcelain coating. The porcelain is used to make the crown appear more natural. However, these crowns often show a thin metal line through the porcelain that can give them away. |
| • | Ceramic: Ceramic crowns are the most aesthetically pleasing crowns. Made entirely of ceramic, they are designed to look just like real teeth. The material even mimics the light reflection properties of natural enamel. |
What to Expect During Dental Crown Placement
Crowns typically require two appointments. During the first appointment, the damaged tooth is prepared. Done under a local anesthetic, this process involves removing a portion of the enamel to reduce the tooth is size. This is necessary to ensure that your crown will fit properly and comfortably in your mouth. After the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken that is sent to our dental lab. Until the crown is ready, a temporary restoration is placed to protect the tooth.After it is finished, a second visit is required to check the crown for proper fit and bite and to secure it into place.The Benefits of a Dental Crown
Crowns provide a multitude of benefits, including| • | Protection from further damage. |
| • | Prevention of infections. |
| • | Restoring strength so the tooth can function normally. |
| • | Ceramic restores the appearance of the tooth, and the quality of your smile. |
| • | Preventing the need for a tooth extraction. |
| • | Anchoring bridges and replacing missing teeth with dental implants. |
| • | Protecting a tooth following root canal therapy. |
If you have been faced with tooth damage, do not ignore it. Even if it does not look serious, damage can put your oral, and overall, health at risk. To schedule your consultation, call Jillian Prather Family Dentistry at (918) 401-9933 today.
