When teeth are damaged beyond what a dental filling can repair, you can opt for a dental crown. Crowns from Shirley Zhao, DDS, at Smiles Dental Spa in Tracy, California, restore the strength and appearance of damaged teeth while also preventing further decay and damage. If you want to save a damaged tooth, call the practice or book an appointment online to find out if you are a candidate for crowns.
Dental crowns are protective coverings for damaged teeth available in a variety of materials. Crowns restore the shape, size, and strength of a badly decaying, chipped, or cracked teeth.
Once in place, crowns cover the entire tooth above the gumline, preventing additional decay to the tooth and restoring its function.
Smiles Dental Spa will recommend an appropriate crown for your dental restoration depending on the place in your mouth. Available crown types include:
Porcelain crowns look and feel exactly like natural teeth. They match the color of your natural teeth and are ideal for highly-visible front teeth. A thin layer of your natural tooth structure is removed to make room for the crown.
Metal crowns are typically used for back teeth where the chewing force is greatest. Metal crowns are strong and rarely chip or disintegrate. Moderate removal of your natural tooth structure is required to place a metal crown.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer the strength of a metal material along with the cosmetic appeal of porcelain crowns. The crown color is matched to your remaining teeth. This type of crown requires the most removal of your tooth’s structure.
Crowns are a versatile dental restoration. They can fix a tooth with a cavity too large for a dental filling, make a tooth more aesthetically pleasing, provide improved function, and even help prevent tooth loss. Crowns can improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Crowns are also commonly used for teeth after a root canal procedure. It protects the tooth by preventing bacteria from getting inside your tooth.
Crowns are a long-lasting dental restoration, lasting an average of 10 to 15 years. If you take excellent care of a crown, however, they are known to last much longer. Caring for and maintaining a crown requires the same process as properly caring for your natural teeth. Brush and floss daily, and visit the dentist for professional cleanings and exams twice annually.
Call Smiles Dental Spa, or book an appointment online for a crown consultation.
