Dental Crowns
When patients experience dental decay or damage, they may think that their tooth is lost, but there are restorative dentistry solutions available to save the tooth and repair your smile. For many patients, dental crowns are the ideal treatments to repair damaged teeth. If you have dental decay or damage, call Indigo Dental of Daytona Beach to schedule a restorative dentistry consultation in our Daytona Beach office today. Our team is dedicated to helping patients keep their smiles whole and healthy with an emphasis on preventive dental care, but when tooth decay or damage does occur, we’re here to help.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are advanced restorations that fit completely over the top of a tooth to strengthen and protect damaged or decayed dental structures. By placing a dental crown, we’re able to fortify the smile and prevent unnecessary tooth loss. However, we practice conservative dentistry. That means we begin by recommending the treatments that will preserve the greatest amount of tooth structure. For instance, we won’t recommend a dental crown if a tooth-colored filling or other less advanced restoration will repair the tooth. Some of the situations where we recommend dental crown restorations include:
- Repairing damaged or decayed teeth
- Replacing lost or damaged fillings
- Concealing cosmetic concerns like deep set staining or malformed teeth
- Supporting fixed bridge dental restorations
- Replacing a single missing tooth when attached to a dental implant
- Protecting root canal treated teeth
What are Dental Crowns Made of?
Dental crowns are available in a wide range of materials, and each have their own unique benefits. Common dental crown restoration materials include gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all-ceramic. We typically recommend all-ceramic restorations as these most closely resemble natural, healthy tooth structure.
What Should I Expect During Dental Crown Placement?
Dental crowns are placed over the course of two dental office visits. During your first appointment, we need to prepare the damaged tooth. Then, impressions are captured that we use to design your custom crown. The bite impressions and our designs are sent to our trusted dental lab where your final restorations are crafted. Before you leave your first appointment, we’ll place a temporary dental crown to protect your prepared tooth. When we receive the dental crown from our lab, you’ll return to exchange your temporary for a custom restoration.
How do I Care for My Dental Crowns?
For the most part, you will be able to continue your daily brushing and flossing routines as usual. We recommend patients use soft bristled toothbrushes and minimally abrasive toothpastes to brush teeth for at least two minutes at a time twice a day. You should also use traditional thread floss or water flossers to clean between teeth and around the gum line at least once each day. Finally, it’s essential that you visit Indigo Dental of Daytona Beach twice a year for preventive dental care. During these regular dental office appointments, we’ll examine your dental crown for signs of wear. In many cases, we’re able to perform small repairs that may extend the life of your crown. Additionally, our dentist or hygienist will be happy to answer any questions you have about caring for your dental crown at home, including making recommendations for oral hygiene products.