Restorations Specialist

What is a dental crown or Cap?

A crown, also known as a cap, is used to restore badly decayed or damaged teeth. A crown is made to look and feel like your natural tooth. Occasionally a crown is used to improve the shape, color, or the alignment of your teeth.

What problems can crowns fix?

Dental crowns have both aesthetic and functional value. This full-coverage restoration may be suggested if you have a large cavity or a tooth that has been fractured or broken. 

Crowns are also a finishing aspect of root canal therapy, placed over the treated tooth to prevent further damage. These artificial structures are also integral to tooth replacement, whether a dental bridge or implant is the chosen method of closing space of a missing tooth.

Am I a candidate for restorative dental crowns?

Crown treatment can be beneficial for children and adults of all ages who have sustained extensive dental damage. There are no prerequisites for treatment and very little need for special care to maintain this type of restoration.

What types of materials are used to fabricate a crown?

Crowns are customarily made from durable substances such as porcelain, zirconia, pressable ceramics or gold. As prosthodontists, Dr. Mahallati always takes the time to educate you about the best type of crown for you. 

What can I expect during a dental crown procedure?

The team at the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry makes your dental crown procedure as comfortable as possible by implementing the appropriate anesthetic technique into your treatment. After numbing the area around your tooth, preparation is performed to remove the structure that has been damaged or is decayed. In some cases, it is necessary to fortify the foundation of your broken or damaged tooth in order to support the crown.

After preparing your tooth, your dental specialist takes an impression that enables the on-site laboratory technician to fabricate a new tooth, which will fit perfectly into your smile and bite. After taking impressions, your specialist fabricates a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it until the final crown is ready for placement.

How many visits do I need to complete the procedure?

In most situations, your entire crown treatment is completed over two visits. During the final visit, Dr. Mahallati removes the temporary crown and thoroughly cleans the tooth.

The final crown is temporarily affixed so your specialist can assess bite and appearance. Slight modifications, if needed, are made immediately. When your specialist is completely satisfied with the state of your final restoration, he bonds your crown over the tooth, where it will remain for many years.

Customarily, Dr. Mahallati requires two dental visits to fabricate a crown. However, exceptional circumstances may require extra visits depending on your needs.

What can I expect during dental restoration recovery?

There is no mandate on after-care for dental crown patients. Some people experience moderate gum and tooth sensitivity, so the team suggests you avoid temperate foods and beverages for a day or two.

If your gums or mouth feel tender, you may take over-the-counter pain medication. It may also feel natural to chew using the opposite side of your mouth for a short time. Finally, it’s not uncommon for your new tooth structure to feel somewhat foreign initially. Over a few days to a few weeks, your tongue and cheeks grow accustomed to the new sensation.

How long do dental crowns last?

Every situation is different and depends upon many factors, such as how well your crown was made, especially the type of material that was used during fabrication. Good oral care at home is also vitally important for longevity. Additionally, patients who have stress habits presented in the oral cavity such as clenching, bruxism or chewing ice or other hard objects can affect the longevity of your crown.  

At the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry, the team uses the highest-quality material and finest workmanship in the private in-house lab to ensure longevity on all restorations. The team also recommends you participate in the dental hygiene program to ensure you get the most out of your dental restorations.

Are there follow-up appointments?

Yes, Dr. Mahallati does request follow-ups to ensure the perfect results!

What oral care is required when wearing a dental crown?

Maintenance of your dental crowns includes adequate brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups twice a year. It’s necessary to clean the margins around the crown and to floss with care around this area, in order to prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria.

What are fixed partial dentures?

Fixed partial dentures, sometimes called a fixed dental bridge, is a fixed replacement for your missing tooth that’s anchored to your natural teeth. Fixed partial dentures are particularly useful if you’re not considered a good candidate for dental implants or have chosen not to have dental implants.

What are the risks of dental crowns?

Many of the common risks associated with dental crown stem from the fact that by the time a tooth needs a crown it is badly damaged and broken. Research has shown that statistically about 10% of the teeth that are prepared for a crown also will need a root canal.

It’s also necessary to fabricate the shape of a crown precisely in order to minimize the risk of bite misalignment. Dr. Mahallati is careful to create crowns that come together with opposing teeth appropriately. Finally, good oral care is important to infection prevention after crown treatment.

What is the difference between dental crowns and veneers?

A dental crown is a restorative fixture that is most commonly used to repair a badly damaged tooth. On occasion, crowns are affixed over teeth for cosmetic improvement. A crown fits fully over the tooth and is cemented into place with the margin sitting at the gum line.

Veneers are “jackets” that are situated on the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. There is relatively little functional value to a veneer, but immense aesthetic gain.

To learn more about restorative dentistry, call the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry today, or schedule an appointment online.