What Are Dental Crowns?

Are you dissatisfied with your smile or experiencing persistent oral discomfort? At Lakeland Hills Dental, we understand how missing or damaged teeth can affect your confidence and quality of life. While treatments like tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, and root canal therapy can help restore function, a dental crown may be the best solution when the tooth requires additional protection.

Dental crowns, or “caps,” cover the tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength, improving your oral health and smile aesthetics. If you’re wondering whether a crown might be right for you, our team at Lakeland Hills Dental is here to help!

Types of Crowns:

If you’re unfamiliar with crowns, you might be asking, “What is a crown?” Crowns are custom-made caps that can be constructed from various materials, each with its own benefits:

• Porcelain & Ceramic: These materials offer a natural appearance, closely matching the color of your teeth. They’re ideal for visible teeth but may not be as durable as other options.
• Zirconia (BruxZir): Known for their strength and natural appearance, zirconia crowns are a popular choice for both front and back teeth.

Do I Need a Crown?

Crowns are used to protect and restore teeth that are fractured, cracked, or weakened. They can also hold dental bridges in place, cover discolored or misshaped teeth, and protect teeth after root canal therapy. Some common reasons you may need a crown include:

• Restoring a broken or worn-down tooth
• Holding a dental bridge in place
• Covering a dental implant
• Restoring a tooth with a large filling
• Protecting a tooth after root canal treatment
• Improving the appearance of a discolored or misshaped tooth

The Crown Procedure

The process of getting a dental crown at Lakeland Hills Dental involves a few simple steps. First, the tooth is prepared, and an impression is made to ensure the crown fits perfectly. A temporary crown is placed while your custom crown is being crafted in a dental laboratory. Once ready, the temporary crown is replaced with your new permanent crown.

Dental Crown Aftercare

While crowns are designed to be durable, it’s important to care for them just as you would your natural teeth. Avoid habits like jaw clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism), and chewing hard foods to prolong the life of your crown. With good oral hygiene, a crown can last up to a decade or longer.