What Are Dental Crowns?
If you’re unfamiliar with what a dental crown is, it’s a cap that covers your entire tooth. The purpose of it is to restore the structure, strength, and appearance of the tooth. It’s ideal for teeth that have lots of large fillings or teeth with significant tooth decay. These types of problems mean there is less natural tooth structure which can weaken teeth. When we place a dental crown on the tooth, it provides strength and protects the natural tooth underneath from experiencing further damage and decay. Ultimately, dental crowns can prevent you from needing an extraction down the line.
Whether you’re restoring the strength and health of an existing tooth or replacing a missing tooth, dental crowns look completely natural and can enhance your smile. They also last long with proper care and maintenance. When you choose a porcelain dental crown, you’re saving your tooth for life.
Problems Dental Crowns Can Address
Dental crowns can address the following problems:
- Cracked, chipped, misshapen teeth
- Worn teeth
- Stained teeth
- Small/short teeth
- Teeth with large fillings
- Teeth that have had root canals
- Missing teeth
- Teeth with fractured fillings
- Anchors for a dental bridge
Dental Crowns Procedure
Getting a dental crown is a straightforward procedure. If we’re placing a dental crown on top of an existing tooth, we will first complete any dental procedure you need to have done to the tooth. This may include a root canal or removing tooth decay. From there, we will prep the tooth for the dental crown. This includes removing some of your natural teeth to allow the crown to fit better.
Next, we will take impressions of your existing tooth, or if you’re replacing a missing tooth. We will send the impressions to the dental lab where they will construct your dental crown. In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary dental crown to wear. Once the crown returns from the lab, we will ensure it looks and fits correctly before bonding it permanently to your existing tooth.
About Dental Bridges
Another common restorative dentistry procedure we offer at BKS Dental are dental bridges. Dental bridges are a great option for replacing a single missing tooth. They’re fixed placements meaning they aren’t removable unless we remove them ourselves.
A dental bridge uses two anchors, usually existing teeth to hold a bridge in place. The bridge replaces the missing tooth in the center while the anchors hold it in place. The anchors are dental crowns placed on top of existing teeth. The end result is a full, natural-looking smile. Our dental bridges are made of porcelain and colored to match your surrounding teeth. After it’s placed, it will look so natural you might forget you have it in the first place.
Restore Your Smile with Crowns and Bridges
If you want to strengthen your teeth or replace missing ones, dental crowns and bridges are the perfect solutions. Find out if dental crowns or bridges are right for you by visiting our Fort Atkinson’s dental office for a consultation. Call us today at (920) 563-7323 or contacting us online.
