Dental Crowns in Centuria, WI
Dental Crowns Can Give You a Beautiful Smile
Dental crowns are an excellent solution for restoring damaged or decayed teeth, enabling numerous patients to achieve stunning, healthy smiles. These crowns come in various materials and are tailor-made to suit each patient’s specific needs.
At our Centuria, WI, dental office, our cosmetic dentists offer dental crowns to cater to your oral health requirements. Discover more about dental crowns and determine if this option suits your smile by calling (715) 646-2161!
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns, also called caps or tooth crowns, are prosthetic devices placed over damaged or decayed teeth to restore their function, shape, and appearance. They are custom-crafted to cover the entire tooth, from the gum line to the chewing surface, and can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a mix of these materials.
A dental crown can also be placed on a dental implant, support a dental bridge, or serve as a cosmetic enhancement to improve the appearance of teeth. Dental crown care is vital for their longevity.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
There are numerous dental issues that a crown can address. Our Centuria, WI dentist may suggest a dental crown for various reasons, including:
- Protecting a Weak Tooth: If a tooth is weakened by decay, a large filling, or a root canal treatment, a dental crown can provide extra support and prevent the tooth from breaking.
- Restoring a Broken or Damaged Tooth: A dental crown can restore a tooth that is broken, cracked, or significantly worn down.
- Covering a Dental Implant: After a dental implant is inserted, a dental crown is often used to cover the implant and create a natural-looking tooth replacement.
- Supporting a Dental Bridge: A crown can support a dental bridge to replace missing teeth.
- Improving the Appearance of a Tooth: Dental crowns can be used as a cosmetic solution to enhance the look of misshapen, discolored, or poorly spaced teeth.
Signs You Need Dental Crowns
Some signs indicating you may need a dental crown include:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- A large filling that needs replacement
- A tooth that has undergone a root canal
- A tooth that’s misshapen or discolored
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Some advantages of dental crowns include:
- Protection: Dental crowns help protect weak or damaged teeth from further harm or decay.
- Restoration: Dental crowns can restore the function and appearance of damaged teeth.
- Durability: Dental crowns are robust and long-lasting, enduring many years with proper care.
- Versatility: Dental crowns can address multiple dental issues, from restoring a broken tooth to covering a dental implant.
- Aesthetics: Dental crowns can match the color and shape of your natural teeth, resulting in a natural-looking and visually pleasing outcome.
Types of Dental Crowns
Various dental crowns are available, ensuring each patient receives the appropriate solution to restore their smile. Our Centuria, WI dentist will assess your options and recommend the best choice for your dental health. We also offer dental crown alternatives.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are crafted from a tooth-colored material that can be matched to the shade of your natural teeth, making them a favored choice for front teeth. They’re biocompatible and provide a natural, lifelike appearance.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are made from gold, nickel, or other metal alloys. They are highly durable, capable of withstanding heavy biting forces, and have a long lifespan. However, their metallic color makes them less desirable for front teeth.
Porcelain-fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
PFM crowns are created by fusing a metal base with a porcelain coating, offering the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain. They are suitable for both front and back teeth.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are composed of a durable, biocompatible material resistant to chipping and cracking. They can be color-matched to your natural teeth and are ideal for back teeth.
Same-Day Crowns
Same-day crowns, also known as CEREC crowns, are a type of dental crown that can be fabricated and placed in a single dental visit. This contrasts with traditional dental crowns, which typically require multiple appointments and temporary crowns while the permanent crown is made in a dental lab.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Consultation and Planning
- The dentist will examine the tooth to determine if it requires a crown or if other treatment options are available.
- X-rays may be taken to check the roots of the tooth and surrounding bone.
First Visit
- Preparation: The dentist will numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue using a local anesthetic. The tooth is then reshaped along the chewing surface and sides to accommodate the crown. The amount of tooth to be removed depends on the crown material.
- Impression: After reshaping, an impression of the tooth is created to ensure a proper fit and bite for the crown. This may be done traditionally using a mold or digitally with intraoral scanners.
- Temporary Crown: A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is crafted. It’s generally made from acrylic and is temporarily cemented in place.
Second Visit
- Permanent Crown Fitting: The temporary crown is removed. The dentist will place the new crown on the tooth to check its fit and color. If everything is satisfactory, the tooth is cleaned, and the new crown is permanently cemented in place.
- Adjustments: Bite adjustments may be made to ensure a proper fit. The dentist may ask you to bite down several times to verify the fit and adjust as necessary.
Aftercare and Follow-up
- It’s common to experience some sensitivity or mild discomfort after the procedure, especially after the anesthesia wears off. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be helpful.
- Oral hygiene is crucial. Proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups will ensure the longevity of your new crown.
- Avoiding hard foods and not using the crowned tooth as a tool (e.g., to open packages) will help prolong the crown’s life.
Financing Dental Crowns
We believe in transparency and personalized care. Before any treatment, we’ll provide you with a detailed treatment plan, outlining the dental crown costs. This allows you to make informed decisions about your oral health.
Flexible Payment Plans
We offer flexible payment plans to help you manage the cost of your dental care. Whether you prefer to pay upfront or spread out the cost over time, we can work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget.
Insurance and Financing
We accept most major dental insurance plans and can help you maximize your benefits. Additionally, we offer financing options through CareCredit to make dental care more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, dental crowns can last anywhere from five to 15 years or even longer with proper care. The lifespan of your dental crown will depend on various factors such as the material used, oral hygiene routine, and the amount of wear and tear the crown is subjected to. Porcelain and ceramic crowns tend to have a longer lifespan than metal or resin-based crowns.
Getting a dental crown should not be painful as the procedure is usually performed with a local anesthetic. Some patients may experience some discomfort or sensitivity during or after the procedure. Your dentist can prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort.
Generally, it takes two dental visits to complete the dental crown placement process. The time it takes to place a dental crown on a tooth can vary depending on the specific case and the dentist’s technique. Your dentist will provide a treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
Yes, it’s possible to get a dental crown placed in one day using a technology called CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics). This technology allows the dentist to create and place a custom crown in a single dental visit. The dentist will take digital impressions of the tooth, design the crown using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and then use an in-office milling machine to fabricate the final crown.