Dental Crown Mason OH & North Cincinnati OH

The teeth might not look like much, but they are the strongest substance in your body. Despite being incredibly strong, they can still suffer physical damage or decay. These issues can significantly impact the integrity of your teeth, as well as your oral health. When your teeth are damaged, Martin Periodontics can provide treatment with dental crowns.

What is a Dental Crown?

When a tooth is damaged, it is important to have it treated right away. While most minor damage only causes cosmetic issues, more significant damage can impact your oral health as well. Issues such as chips or cracks that extend past the enamel of your teeth and into the inner layers can lead to infections inside the teeth. Additionally, the affected tooth is at risk for developing further damage. A crown is a dental restoration that is made to cover the entire visible surface of a damaged tooth, effectively holding the tooth together and protecting it from bacterial invasion.

Types of Dental Crowns

Crowns can be made from one of several different materials. Each material offers its unique benefits as well as its drawbacks.

Metal
Metal crowns are the strongest material available and are practically indestructible. Many metal crowns can last 50 years or more with proper care. The biggest drawback to metal crowns is that they are gold or silver in color.

Porcelain Fused To Metal
Also called PFM for short, these crowns consist of a metal base with a porcelain coating. The metal provides strength around the tooth while the porcelain provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, a thin metal line can often be seen through the porcelain.

Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are made entirely of ceramic. While not as strong as metal, ceramic can withstand most normal daily use. These crowns provide the best aesthetic results and look exactly like your real teeth, and even reflect light just like natural tooth enamel.

How is a Dental Crown Placed?

Dental crowns generally take two appointments to place. At the first appointment, your tooth is prepared. Preparing a tooth involves removing a portion of the enamel so that the crown can fit in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Once the tooth is prepared, we take an impression of your mouth. The impression is sent to our dental lab, where your crown is custom created just for you based on the exact specifications of your mouth.

When the crown is completed, we check it for fit, appearance, and bite, and secure it into place with special dental cement.

Why Get a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns provide some significant benefits, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I need a dental crown?

If you have a tooth that has severe damage or decay, you may need to put a dental crown over it. Also commonly known as a cap, a dental crown can help improve your smile, restore your tooth's functionality, and strengthen your tooth. Several scenarios may necessitate the placement of a crown.

What are dental crowns made of?

Among the various materials used for crowns, porcelain stands out for its remarkable popularity owing to its natural appearance and exceptional durability.

Dental crowns can also be made from ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are popular for their natural appearance and ability to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth.

Metal crowns, typically made of gold or other metal alloys, offer exceptional strength and durability, often used for molars where chewing forces are greatest. Some crowns combine porcelain fused to metal for strength and aesthetics, providing a balance of durability and natural appearance.

How long does it take to get a dental crown?

While a typical crown can take up to two weeks to make, a same-day treatment known as a CEREC crown that eliminates wait times. CEREC is an acronym that means Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.

The crown procedure typically involves several steps. During the initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and determine whether a crown is the most suitable treatment option for you. The dental professional will look at x-rays of your teeth to know the precise condition of your dental health, including the positioning of your teeth, the presence of any cavities or decay, and the integrity of your tooth roots and surrounding bone structure.

Before the crown can be placed, the tooth must be prepared by shaping it to accommodate the crown. Impressions of the prepared tooth are then taken to ensure a precise fit. Skilled dental technicians craft the permanent crown to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, ensuring seamless integration into your smile. Once the permanent crown is ready, it is carefully placed over the prepared tooth, checked for fit and bite, and then permanently bonded in place using dental cement.

How long do dental crowns last?

The average lifespan of a dental crown typically ranges from five to 15 years or more, depending on various factors such as the material used, oral hygiene practices, biting forces, and general wear and tear. With proper care and maintenance, including regular dental check-ups and diligent oral hygiene, crowns can last longer and provide lasting functional and aesthetic benefits.

Are dental crowns painful?

The process of getting a dental crown typically involves minimal discomfort, as it's performed under local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. However, some patients may experience mild sensitivity or discomfort following the procedure, which usually subsides within a few days as the mouth adjusts to the new crown.

In rare cases, patients may experience temporary discomfort or sensitivity while biting or chewing, which can often be addressed by minor adjustments to the crown. Overall, dental crown placement is not typically considered painful, but any discomfort experienced is usually manageable and short-lived.

Schedule a Dental Crown Procedure in Mason OH or North Cincinnati OH Today!

If your teeth have suffered damage, a crown can restore their integrity and protect the health of your mouth. Call Martin Periodontics today at
(513) 445-4282 for more information.