Crowns are a restorative dental procedure used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. We often use dental crowns for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay. A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. We provide dental crowns in Harker Heights, Bellmead, Waco, and Killeen.
What Can Crowns Treat?
Crowns are multi-functional restorations that improve the look and health of teeth. Dental crowns can:
- Cover large fillings: If you have a large filling, you risk the filling breaking your natural tooth. We may recommend a crown to cover the filling to keep your tooth in one piece.
- Protect teeth after a root canal: A root canal is a routine treatment that removes infected pulp within a tooth. Because infection can weaken a tooth over time, we recommend a crown following root canal treatment. The crown will prevent further damage to the tooth.
- Cover single implants: A dental implant can replace a single missing tooth or secure bridges and dentures. We will cover a single implant with a crown that is the shape and shade of natural teeth.
- Support bridges: A traditional bridge replaces multiple consecutive missing teeth. Dental bridges use support from crown-capped natural teeth on either side of a missing tooth gap. The crowns help secure the bridge in place.
- Add structure to damaged teeth: Crowns can cover and protect cracked or chipped teeth. Dental crowns can create a more even bite and prevent further tooth damage.
Types of Dental Crowns
Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or other materials. Dental crown materials may include:
- Metal: Traditional crowns use metal alloys made of gold, silver, tin, copper, or other metals. Metal crowns are best for the molars because of their strength. However, metal crowns are still noticeable when you open your mouth.
- Porcelain: We prefer porcelain crowns because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth. These crowns are also as strong as natural teeth.
- Ceramic: Same-day dental crowns use ceramic materials. Like porcelain, ceramic matches the look of natural teeth. However, ceramic often does not last as long.
- Zirconia: Zirconium dioxide is a type of highly strong ceramic. While zirconia crowns are strong, they are more expensive than other types of crowns.
Inlays or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when insufficient tooth strength remains to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply restorative material directly into the mouth, we fabricate inlays and onlays separately. An inlay covers the top of your tooth between the sides or tooth cusps. Onlays cover the entire top of the tooth, including the sides.
Dental Crown Treatment
Before dental crown treatment, we will ensure you are in good oral health. We will treat tooth and gum infections before treatment so your crown stays stable.
First, we will numb your tooth so you do not feel pain during treatment. Then, we prepare your tooth for the crown. During preparation, we shape the tooth, removing signs of damage to ensure your crown fits properly. Then, we will take dental impressions of your teeth to send to the dental lab.
We will provide a temporary crown to wear until your final crown is complete. To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating hard or crunchy foods and chew on the opposite side of the temporary crowns.
Your final crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally.
At your next visit, we will remove your temporary crown. Then, we will check the final crown’s shade, shape, and fit. Finally, we will cement and polish the crown for a natural shine.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
We will provide home-care instructions so you can maintain your crowns after treatment. It will take some time to get used to your new crowns, which adds new structure to teeth and help create an even bite. If you notice any bite problems days after treatment, please let us know so we can adjust your crown.
Feeling sensitivity or discomfort directly after treatment is normal. We recommend eating soft foods after treatment to help you get accustomed to your new bite.
While crowns are durable, hard or sticky foods can still damage them like natural teeth. We also recommend avoiding nail biting, chewing on ice, and using your teeth as tools. Bad oral health habits can damage your crowns.
Crowns do not require special cleaning. You can brush and floss your crowns just like natural teeth. Brush and floss at least twice a day for two minutes each time.
Get Tooth Crowns Today
Do you need to cover a damaged or worn tooth? Call Fusion Dental and Braces for restorative dental care with dental crowns today. We serve patients in Harker Heights, Killeen, Waco, and the surrounding areas.
Please let us know if you have questions about tooth crowns. We’re here to help you find the right treatment for you.