Horizon Family Dental Care can provide you with a dental crown in Baltimore, MD, for a weakened or broken tooth. This common restorative dentistry treatment will restore a tooth’s shape, size, and strength and improve its appearance. Our dentist will custom-create one to fit over your natural tooth.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, also called a cap, is a custom-made tooth-colored dental restoration that encases a damaged or decayed tooth. The cap will cover and protect the entire visible portion of the tooth.
Dental crowns will mimic your natural tooth in color, shape, size, and function. Once in place, it provides structural support and protection for the now-weakened tooth. The crown will prevent the tooth from enduring further harm.
What are Dental Crowns Used For?
We may recommend a dental crown for multiple reasons. Each patient will have unique treatment needs and oral health conditions. Your Horizon Family Dental Care dentist will conduct an oral exam to determine the best treatment for your oral health issue. You may need a crown to:
- Restore a Damaged Tooth: We can restore a compromised tooth with a dental crown. Common reasons for tooth damage are tooth decay, trauma, or worn teeth. Patients come to us with a cracked tooth or tooth decay, seeking treatment. A dental crown is the perfect solution to protect the tooth from further damage and help restore function.
- Large Fillings: Our dentist may suggest using a dental crown if a tooth requires a large filling. The tooth decay may be significant or lead to too much tooth damage. If the structural integrity of the tooth is in question, a dental crown is the best treatment option.
- Support a Tooth After Root Canal Therapy: A crown will protect and strengthen a weakened tooth after a root canal. After this treatment, a tooth is susceptible to cracks and fractures. A crown provides structural support, enhances durability, and ensures the tooth functions seamlessly within the dental arch.
- Improve the Appearance of a Tooth: Dentists even use dental crowns as a cosmetic dentistry treatment. A crown can improve a tooth’s appearance by hiding many types of blemishes. We may recommend a crown for discolored or misshapen teeth.
- Support a Dental Bridge: A dental bridge is a restoration that replaces rows of lost teeth. It can use implants or adjacent teeth for support. We use dental crowns to support the dental bridge by placing them over the adjacent teeth.
- Cover a Dental Implant: A single dental implant is the best way to replace a tooth. An oral surgeon will place a titanium post in the jaw bone to replace the missing tooth root. Then our dentist will secure a crown to the dental implant, which will act as the replacement tooth.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer many benefits for our patients. They serve functional and aesthetic purposes.
Their primary purpose is to offer structural support for a weak or damaged tooth so it will not become further damaged. However, it also safeguards the tooth against decay and infections, lowering your risk of further damage. This protection will help your tooth last longer and support your oral health.
A dental crown will also improve tooth alignment. Correcting your alignment will fix your bite. This helps to reduce the strain on your surrounding teeth.
They can also enhance your smile. We craft each crown to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. This ensures a seamless blend within the smile, concealing imperfections and enhancing overall appearance.
The Dental Crown Process at Horizon Family Dental Care
It takes two office visits to receive a dental crown in Baltimore, MD. During the first visit, our dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the tooth. We will take several impressions of the tooth to create your temporary crown and your new custom, permanent crown.
A dental lab will create your new crown. While you wait for that, you will wear a temporary one to protect your tooth. A temporary tooth-colored crown is plastic and not as strong as a permanent crown. For this reason, you will need to avoid eating hard or sticky foods while it is in place.
During the second visit, our dentist will remove the temporary crown. They will cement the crown in place over the tooth. Our dentist will check to ensure that the crown fits properly and matches the color of the surrounding teeth. Once the look and fit look right, they will cement the crown to the tooth.
Aftercare
A dental crown requires consistent care. Treat it like your natural tooth by brushing and flossing around it daily. Avoiding tooth decay and periodontal disease is vital to making your crown last. Also, visit our dentist twice yearly for a regular check-up and teeth cleaning.
We also suggest that you avoid hard and sticky foods. These types of food, and injury to your crown, can cause the crown to come loose. Call our Baltimore dental office if your crown loosens or falls out. We can re-cement the crown in place.
Patient Review
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental crown is a widely known solution for teeth that have been damaged or weakened. It helps improve the look and function of your smile. Whether you need a crown to protect a tooth after a root canal, to cover a large filling, or to improve your smile, understanding the process will help ease your concerns. Here, we provide the most frequently asked questions about dental crowns to help you remain informed and confident.
Why do I need a dental crown?
We may suggest placing a crown to protect and strengthen a tooth. A dental crown can extend its life if you have a damaged or weak tooth. Most of the time, we place caps on teeth because a tooth has severe decay, is broken beyond repair, or has a deep crack.
How long do dental crowns last?
With proper care, a tooth cap can last for 5 to 15 years. How long a crown will last depends on oral hygiene, the placement of the crown in the mouth, and your daily habits. Good oral care, regular checkups, and avoiding teeth grinding will keep your dental crown in good shape for years.
Is getting a dental crown painful?
No, getting a dental crown is not a very painful procedure. We use local anesthesia for the procedure to effectively numb the area around your tooth. You won’t feel much pain during the procedure. Some tooth sensitivity may develop after the anesthesia wears off, but this should only last a short time.
Will my dental crown look natural?
Yes, we’ll design your dental crown to look as natural as possible. Our dentist will carefully match the color, shape, and size of the crown to your remaining teeth. Our dentist will pay close attention to the color of your natural teeth, the position of the crown in your mouth, and your general smile aesthetics.
What is the difference between a temporary and a permanent crown?
A temporary crown and a permanent crown have different purposes. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel. We use them to protect the tooth while the dental lab prepares the permanent crown. They are not for long-term use. On the other hand, permanent crowns are made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal. This material is designed to last for many years, providing a durable and natural-looking restoration.
How should I take care of my dental crown?
You need to maintain a good oral hygiene routine so your crown lasts. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and use a toothbrush with soft-bristles. Also floss before your teeth and crowns at least once a day before you brush.
Don’t chew hard things like ice, firm candy, or pencils because this could injure your crown. Visit our dentist regularly to make sure your crown is in good shape.
Are there any risks or complications with dental crowns?
While dental crowns are generally safe, there are a few potential risks and complications. These may include allergic reactions to the crown material, tooth sensitivity, or the crown coming loose or falling out. But these are rare, and you can prevent them by taking good care of it and visiting our dentist for dental checkups.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Dental crowns are an effective dental treatment that dentists use for many reasons. If you need a high-quality dental crown in Baltimore, MD, request an appointment online on our website. Horizon Family Dental Care is here to help.