What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cover that fits over a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are often necessary when a tooth is too damaged or weak to support a filling. They are a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or metal, depending on the tooth’s location and your personal preferences.
Crowns serve many purposes, including:
- Restoring functionality: A crown can provide the strength needed for chewing and speaking if you have a cracked or weakened tooth.
- Improving appearance: Crowns can match the natural color of your teeth, making them an excellent choice for front teeth.
- Protecting a tooth: A crown can prevent further damage or decay in a tooth treated with a root canal.
Implant Crowns
An implant crown is a restoration that fits on top of a dental implant post, which the dentist surgically places in your jawbone. The crown replaces the missing tooth after the implant heals and integrates with the bone. Implant crowns are durable materials like porcelain or ceramic, so they restore your smile and provide strength and functionality for chewing and speaking.
Implant crowns are necessary when you’ve lost a tooth and want a permanent solution. They provide a strong, natural-looking alternative to bridges or dentures, and they help prevent bone loss in your jaw that often occurs when a tooth is missing.
If you haven’t already had the implant placed, the next step involves surgically placing the dental implant into your jawbone. After placement, the implant will need several months to heal and fuse with your bone through a process known as osseointegration. Once the implant is fully integrated, we’ll take impressions of your mouth using an Intraoral Scanner to create a custom implant crown that fits perfectly. We send these impressions to a dental lab where a technician makes your crown. After your implant crown is ready, we’ll schedule a follow-up visit to place it on the implant. We’ll ensure it fits comfortably, looks natural, and functions well for chewing.
How to Tell If You Need a Dental Crown
There are several reasons why you might need a dental crown. Some common signs include:
- A large cavity: If a cavity is too large for a filling, a crown is often needed to restore the tooth’s shape and strength.
- A cracked or fractured tooth: If you’ve experienced trauma or your tooth is cracked, a crown can prevent further damage.
- Root canal treatment: A crown protects the tooth and restores its functionality after a root canal.
- Aesthetic improvement: If a tooth is misshapen or discolored, a crown can enhance its appearance and blend in with the rest of your smile.
- Missing teeth: If your smile has a gap, an implant crown can fill that gap with a permanent, natural-looking solution.
- Failed or damaged restorations: An implant crown might be ideal if you have a damaged bridge or old denture that no longer fits properly.
If you notice any of these issues, schedule a consultation with us to see if a dental crown is the right solution.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown in Lewisville
Getting a dental crown typically takes two visits to our office. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial consultation: During your first visit, we will evaluate your tooth and take digital X-rays to assess the damage. If a crown is best, we will remove decay or old fillings to prepare the tooth.
- Impressions: After preparing your tooth, we will take impressions using an intraoral scanner to mold it. The technician will use these impressions to make your custom crown.
- Temporary crown: While the lab makes your permanent crown, we will place a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it.
- Fitting and placement: Once your custom crown is ready, you will return to our office for a fitting. Before permanently bonding it to your tooth, we will ensure it fits comfortably and looks natural.
Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns in Lewisville
At Manchego Dental, Dr. Joel Manchego provides personalized care for all dental needs, including crowns. We understand the importance of making your visit as comfortable as possible, so we offer amenities like weighted blankets and bottled water to help you relax during your treatment. Plus, we provide flexible financing to make your dental crown procedure affordable and convenient.
Set Up an Appointment Today!
If you need dental crowns in Lewisville, North Carolina, look no further than Manchego Dental. We’re here to help restore your smile with high-quality, long-lasting crowns that improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Call us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how dental crowns benefit oral health.