DENTAL CROWNS
FOR A BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SMILE
Dental crowns are essentially a cap that is snugly placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to help restore its natural appearance and strength. A permanent crown can be made from various materials including porcelain to ensure a BRIGHT, beautiful tooth and smile after treatment.
BENEFITS OF DENTAL CROWNS
• Protect a weak or decayed tooth and prevent it from breaking
• Can help keep parts of a broken tooth together
• Cover and support a tooth that has had a root canal
• Restore a broken or worn down tooth
• Hold in place a dental bridge
• Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth
HOW LONG DO CROWNS LAST?
Dental crowns can last up to fifteen years, depending on personal oral hygiene habits. The amount of wear and tear on the crown from grinding teeth, chewing ice, biting fingernails, and other harmful habits can affect the crown’s longevity. But, dental crowns don’t require any special care and should be hard to spot after treatment because they blend in with the surrounding teeth so well. Simply continue practicing your good oral hygiene habits – like brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending 6-month cleanings –
and your teeth will stay BRIGHT and healthy for years to come.
CROWNS VS. OTHER COSMETIC DENTAL SOLUTIONS
There are alternatives to dental crowns, including a permanent filling, veneers, or an onlay (“three-quarter crown”). Keep in mind, fillings will not prevent needing a crown later on — so if a majority of your tooth needs filling, your dentist will likely suggest a crown. Veneers are another alternative to crowns but are generally used for the front teeth since they are made of thin porcelain shells.
Onlay (or the “three-quarter crown”) are different types of crowns that don’t cover as much of your tooth. The type of crown used will depend on the amount of damage and the remaining structure of your natural tooth. A traditional crown will cover the entire tooth, whereas an onlay or three-quarter crown will only cover part of the tooth.
At BRIGHT Dentistry, we know that every smile is as unique as the patient, so our team of doctors will take every solution into careful consideration when choosing the best treatment plan with you.