What are Dental Crowns?

They are oral devices that repair and restore damaged teeth structures. Dental crowns in Pasadena, TX, feature tooth-colored porcelain materials designed to mimic teeth shapes, sizes, and colors. Cosmetic dentists in Pasadena developed these porcelain restorations in dental laboratories into solid pieces that can replace the entire external structure of a natural tooth.

Must Dental Crowns Feature Porcelain?

No. Restorative dentistry provides patients with various materials for restoring their natural teeth. Aside from porcelain crowns, you can choose any of the following:

• Gold dental crowns – feature gold as the primary component. These tooth crowns make for sturdy dental caps, perfect for restoring molars and premolars. Besides, they are also long-lasting due to the quality of the material.

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal – other than just metal, these crowns are partly porcelain. The porcelain is laced with the metal underneath, combining the strengths of porcelain and metal-based crowns. Therefore, these dental crowns have a more natural color than metal-based ones.

How are Dental Crowns Used?

Dentists in aesthetic dentistry in Pasadena use dental crowns to achieve various transformations in a patient’s mouth. The primary objective is to repair and rebuild damaged tooth enamel to optimize tooth function. Some of the ways that dentists use dental crowns in restorative dentistry are:

• Crowning a dental implant – tooth implants replace missing teeth from the root upward. They entail a surgical procedure to erect a small metal post in your jawbone in the gap of the missing natural tooth. After receiving a dental implant, you need another oral appliance to crown the implant. Dentists usually use dental crowns for this role unless in cases of multiple tooth replacements.

• Making a dental bridge – a traditional bridgework for replacing teeth cannot be complete without a dental crown. It features two dental crowns and an artificial replacement tooth. Dental crowns support and stabilize the abutment, the artificial tooth for replacing the lost one.

• After a root canal – root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure for treating diseased teeth. The treatment works by addressing the insides of your tooth first before fixing the external features to preserve it. After the invasive treatment to save your natural tooth, its structure may need reinforcement from a dental crown to maintain its external integrity with optimal functionality.

• Weak tooth – if you have weak teeth, it is often due to enamel thinning, poor oral habits, or other dental issues. Dental crowns are excellent restorations for strengthening weak teeth.

• Holding a tooth filling – dental fillings help repair damaged teeth, commonly after dental decay. When the size of the tooth filling that restores your tooth is too big, it can compromise the tooth’s structural integrity. Therefore, at Marconi Dental Aesthetics – Pasadena, TX, we use dental crowns to reinforce the tooth’s strength.

• Improving aesthetics – while there are other dental restorations for improving aesthetics, dental crowns are also effective for the role. Sometimes cosmetic dentists incorporate dental crowns to modify teeth’ color, shape, size, and general appearance. It is usually the best option where the tooth enamel has suffered significant damage, and composite bonding or dental veneers do not suffice to get the job done.

Will the Treatment Be Painful?

The procedure of getting dental crowns can be painful. It entails cleaning and trimming to remove the bacteria and damaged parts of the tooth.

The dentist will shave as much tooth enamel as necessary to rid the tooth of any infection while creating room for the dental crown. Afterward, the dentist proceeds to install a dental crown created after the impressions of the prepared tooth.

The discomfort and sensitivity of trimming your tooth during preparation can be too much to handle. Therefore, dentists employ local anesthesia to numb your mouth from the pain.

Throughout your treatment, you will not feel anything in your mouth. Although rarely, dentists may have to incorporate sedation dentistry for some patients to help manage dental anxiety.

After treatment, it takes a few hours for the numbing to wear off from your system. When it does, you may experience some sensitivity on the treated tooth, particularly the first week after treatment. It should not be severe enough to deter you from eating or speaking well. If so, contact your dentist immediately for corrective treatment.

What You Must Know About Dental Crowns

Marconi Dental Aesthetics