Do you have a cracked or fractured tooth? Are your worn or weakened teeth affecting your bite? Tooth crowns are a common restorative dentistry treatment that can help add strength and structure to eroded, worn, broken, and otherwise injured teeth. Dental crowns are porcelain ceramic caps that can address dental injuries and cover implants and other restorations. At Smiles by Mia, we offer professional treatment with dental crowns in Burke, VA. Lead dentist Dr. Mia works with patients to find the best options for their dental problems.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a dental cap, is a prosthetic restoration that dentists use to cover or encase a damaged or weakened tooth. Your dentist will custom create one to match the size, shape, color, and texture of your natural teeth. This will provide your with both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Dental crowns are commonly used to restore teeth that have undergone severe decay, cracks, breaks, large fillings, or root canal therapy. We can also use them cosmetic purposes such as to whiten permanently stained teeth. They strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure, preventing further damage and preserving oral health.
Dental Crown Treatment in Burke, VA
Our dental office provides porcelain ceramic dental crowns. Because these crowns are porcelain ceramic, they easily blend in with the appearance of natural teeth. Once we find which teeth require crowns, we take x-rays and scans of patients’ teeth. We use these scans to create a digital image of the smile. Then, we send these scans to create customized crowns.
We will apply temporary crowns while lab technicians create the permanent crowns. Once the crowns are complete, we remove the temporary crowns. Then, we apply cement to stabilize the crowns in the mouth. After treatment, you may experience pain and sensitivity. Take your medications as prescribed. Avoid eating chewy, sticky, or hard foods as this can damage your new crowns. When you clean your crowns, do not pull the floss up. Floss through your teeth. You can read more post-op instructions for dental crowns here.
The Uses of Dental Crowns
Dentists recommend crowns for various reasons, from cosmetic improvements to structural support. They’re one of the most versatile tools a dentist has.
Protecting Weak or Damaged Teeth
One of the most common uses for dental crowns is to protect a weak or damaged tooth. Teeth can become weakened due to decay, large fillings, or fractures. A crown covers the entire tooth, providing protection and preventing further damage. This is especially important for cracked or fractured teeth, as a crown can hold the tooth together and stop it from breaking completely.
In some cases, after a root canal treatment, the tooth becomes more brittle and prone to cracking. A dental crown is often placed over the treated tooth to provide long-term protection and keep the tooth functioning properly.
Restoring a Broken or Worn-Down Tooth
Crowns are also used to restore teeth that have been broken or worn down. A tooth that has been damaged due to injury or grinding (a condition called bruxism) may not have enough structure left to function properly. A crown can rebuild the tooth, restoring its shape and strength so you can chew and speak without discomfort.
Teeth worn down from years of grinding often lose their natural shape, making it difficult to chew food properly. A dental crown can reshape the tooth, improving its appearance and function.
Supporting Large Fillings
Sometimes, a tooth with a large filling needs extra support. When a filling takes up more than half of the tooth, the remaining tooth structure may not be strong enough to handle the pressure of chewing. In these cases, a dental crown is placed over the tooth to provide additional support and prevent the tooth from breaking. This allows the tooth to function normally without the risk of further damage.
Improving Appearance
Dental crowns can also improve a tooth’s appearance. They are often made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, which can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. This makes them a great option for covering teeth that are discolored, misshapen, or uneven.
For people with chipped or gapped teeth, crowns can create a more uniform, attractive smile. Since crowns cover the entire visible part of the tooth, they can significantly improve the appearance of a tooth that is not aesthetically pleasing.
Anchoring a Dental Bridge
Dental crowns play an important role in dental bridges, which are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth that fill the gap left by missing teeth. The artificial teeth are held in place by dental crowns attached to the neighboring teeth. These crowns provide support and stability for the bridge, allowing it to function like natural teeth.
Covering Dental Implants
When a patient has a dental implant placed to replace a missing tooth, the final step is to cover the implant with a dental crown. The crown is custom-made to match the surrounding teeth’s size, shape, and color, creating a natural-looking replacement. The implant provides a stable foundation, while the crown restores the tooth’s appearance and function.
Dental Crown FAQs
Discover more about dental crowns and similar treatments with answers to these commonly asked questions. Contact us if you have additional questions about dental crowns or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
What are inlays and onlays?
Known as partial crowns, inlays, and onlays offer protection on the chewing surface of teeth. Inlays cover the space between the tooth cusps or sides. Onlays cover the top of the tooth. Like dental crowns, inlays and onlays are separate pieces we apply to teeth. Additionally, inlays and onlays are typically made of composite material.
Do I need a dental crown after a root canal?
We often recommend crowns for patients who have eroded or weakened teeth due to tooth decay. Because of this, we will create dental crowns for patients if they need extra support after root canal treatment. Crowns create more balanced bites for patients with highly damaged or worn teeth.
How long do dental crowns last?
Typically, dental crowns last 15 or more years. However, the way patients care for their crowns impact their life. Tooth crowns can last as many as 25 to 30 years if patients follow post-op instructions and continue to take care of their smiles. Patients must continue brushing and flossing their crowns and using non-abrasive toothpaste for the best results. Avoiding hard, sticky, or crunchy foods directly after treatment will help prevent damage or pain at the treatment site.
Can a dental crown affect my surrounding teeth?
A properly fitted and placed dental crown should not affect any of your surrounding teeth. However, if it become damaged or is placed improperly, then it may affect your alignment or bite and the adjacent teeth. This will cause discomfort when chewing or from pressure and can lead to potential dental problems. During your regular dental checkups, your dentist will examine the tooth to make sure the crown is in good shape. If you grind your teeth, we recommend wearing an night guard to protect the dental crown from damage.
Can a dental crown decay or get a cavity?
It is impossible for the dental crown to develop decay because are made from porcelain, a very strong material. However, it is possible for the underlying tooth to develop a cavity. If you do not properly take care of oral health, then decay can develop at the margin where the crown meets the tooth. To avoid this, regularly brush your teeth and floss around the capped tooth thoroughly every day. Also, regular dental checkups are essential to preventing cavities.
What should I do if my dental crown falls out?
Failing to take care of your teeth or trauma to the tooth can result in your dental crown falling out. While this does not happen often, it is important to know what to do if it does. The first thing you should do is call and make an appointment.
If you still have the crown and it is not damaged, we will most likely be able to cement it back in place. If it has been damaged or if your tooth is now damaged, we will most likely need to make a new cap. Until your appointment, we ask that you keep the tooth clean and protected until you can be seen.
Can I get a dental crown on my front tooth?
You can get a dental crown on any tooth in your mouth, even a front tooth. Your dentist will custom make one that will fit perfecting in your smile line and blend in. Molds of your teeth will be taken and used to ensure a proper fit. The tooth crown will go all the way to your gum line and be virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth.
Schedule a Dental Appointment to Learn More About Dental Crowns in Burke, VA
Do you need to cover a cracked or worn tooth? Are you interested in tooth-colored dental crowns? You can request a dental consultation with the dentists at Smiles by Mia online or call (571) 789-1265. If you have more questions about dental crowns, let us know, and we will be happy to help.