Dental Crown Treatment

Trusted Dental Care in Everett, WA

DENTAL CROWN TREATMENT IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON

When a tooth has been damaged by decay or trauma, a dental crown can help preserve it, avoiding the need for an extraction. If you’re looking for affordable dental crowns in Everett, Washington, you are welcome to book an appointment at Perfect Smiles Dentistry.

Here’s a look at the types of tooth crown available and what to expect when you get one.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap which is placed on a tooth to strengthen and protect it. Unlike a veneer, which is just applied to the front of a tooth for cosmetic improvement, a crown completely covers the entire tooth structure.

Crowns can be made from various different materials, which we will look at in more detail later. But whichever one you choose, it will be carefully crafted to fit properly alongside your other teeth and give you a correct bite.

When does a tooth need a crown treatment?

There are a number of reasons why your dentist may recommend a crown:

A tooth has a cavity which is too large for a filling, inlay or overlay
A tooth has cracked or broken
An old filling needs to be replaced and the remaining tooth structure is weak
Sometimes after root canal treatment
You are looking to enhance your smile by leveling the size, shape, and color of your teeth

In these cases, the crown gives the tooth extra support and strength to continue functioning. It’s usually preferable to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible, rather than to extract it.

Crowns are also used in some cosmetic cases, for example to cover a discolored or misshapen tooth that isn’t suitable for a veneer.

Finally, if you are missing any teeth then you might get a dental bridge or an implant. A bridge utilizes crowns to hold one or two false teeth in place where the gap is. With an implant, a metal rod is placed in the jaw bone and this supports a tooth crown.

Types of dental crown materials

Once you know you need a tooth crown, you will need to decide which type and material to use. This choice can be discussed in detail during a consultation with your dentist at Perfect Smiles Dentistry. We explain the available treatment alternatives for your particular case to get the best possible treatment outcome.

Here are the main options:

All-metal crowns

The gold and silver alloys used in metal teeth crowns are strong and durable, making them a good solution for molars (back teeth). However, some people prefer to avoid the appearance of a tooth capped in metal – even at the back of the mouth.

Silver alloy crowns are often the cheapest type, but gold is much more expensive.

All-ceramic crowns

Crowns made from ceramic, or porcelain, are usually recommended for front teeth because they are the most natural-looking way to crown a tooth. The material can be made to closely match the natural tooth colour, making the crown blend in with the other teeth.

All-ceramic crowns are a little more expensive than silver alloys, and they are more liable to chip in the long run, but they give a much better appearance wherever in the mouth they are used. If you want your restored tooth to look as natural as possible, it’s worth investing the extra in ceramic.

All-Ceramic Crowns

All-ceramic crowns, also known as all-porcelain, have the best natural appearance. They closely imitate the color and transparency of the enamel, achieving great aesthetic results. Because of this, they are one of the most popular alternatives for front teeth.

Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)

Combining the best of both worlds in a way, PFM crowns have a metal lining on the inside covered with ceramic on the outside. This gives them a balance of durability and affordability.

However, there is a likelihood that a thin metal line will be visible along the gumline, so these are usually not recommended for front teeth crowns.

What are the steps in a dental crown procedure?

The procedure usually takes two to three visits to our dental office to be completed.

There are several steps involved with placing a tooth crown:

Step 1 - Tooth preparation

First, your dentist will remove any decayed tissue. Then, she will shape the remaining tooth to be able to secure the crown on top. Your dentist may need to build up the tooth core with filling material to achieve the optimal shape.

Step 2 - Impression

These capture the exact shape of the tooth post so the crown can be precisely made to fit over the top.

Step 3 - Temporary crown

While the permanent crown is being made at our dental lab, you’ll have a temporary one to cover the tooth.

Step 4 - Permanent crown placement

Once the crown is ready, you’ll return to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed. The dentist will use strong dental cement to secure it in place, and will check your bite to ensure the new restoration is a good fit.

It’s important to choose a dentist who has experience with dental restorations and – if you’re getting a front tooth crown – cosmetic dentistry experience too. Kavitha Gowda, DDS and her team at Perfect Smiles Dentistry use modern techniques and technology to ensure your crown not only feels comfortable but looks natural too.

Does it hurt to get a dental crown?

The procedure itself is conducted using anesthetic and should be completely pain-free. The tooth may feel sore for a couple of days afterwards, and the gum around the crown might be inflamed until it adjusts to the new tooth. You can take OTC painkillers if needed, and your dentist may give you anti-inflammatory medication.

How long do dental crowns last?

Crowned teeth can last for 10 or 20 years, but a lot depends on the type of crown and how well you care for it (and your oral health in general).

Caring for crowned teeth

To keep your crown in good condition for as long as possible, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, as a minimum. Pay special attention to cleaning around your crown.

You should also avoid eating very sticky or hard foods with your crowned teeth, since these can damage or dislodge the restoration.

Regular dental checkups will allow our team to check the health of your teeth and crown and let you know if you need to do anything differently.

When a crown does eventually fail, you may be able to have the tooth re-crowned. If it is no longer strong enough to support a crown, it may be necessary to extract it. In this case, we can discuss your tooth replacement options.

Book an appointment for affordable dental crowns in Everett, Washington

If you have a broken or severely decayed tooth, or an old filling that needs to be replaced, book an appointment at Perfect Smiles Dentistry to find out whether a dental crown would be a good solution. Dr. Gowda and her team of dentists in Everett, Washington, are dedicated to restoring your smile so you can eat and smile with confidence.

When you need dental services, trust Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, Washington, to provide you with the best local dentist care.

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