Dental Crowns – Virginia Beach, VA
A Way To Beautifully Restore Damaged Teeth
At Smile By Design, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck always recommend the most conservative treatment possible to repair damaged teeth. If you have a small cavity or fracture, we can usually use a simple dental filling to restore your tooth. But there are situations when the damage is more severe and there isn’t enough original tooth structure left to support a filling. This is when we recommend dental crowns in Virginia Beach.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Sometimes called a “cap,” a dental crown is a type of dental restoration that completely covers the crown of a tooth. It’s matched in size, shape, and color to the rest of your teeth so that it looks very natural, and is cemented into place to fit snugly over your existing tooth.
Crowns can be made of various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, gold, or other metals. We’ll discuss your cosmetic goals, the location of the tooth, and other factors before recommending a material.
What Is the Procedure Like?
We’ll schedule two appointments for your dental crown procedure. Here’s what you can expect:
- First, we’ll make sure you’re fully numb and comfortable before removing any damaged tooth structure. Then we’ll prepare your tooth for the crown by reducing its size (this prevents the crown from feeling too large or bulky).
- Next, we’ll take impressions to send to a special dental lab so they can custom-make your crown to our exact specifications.
- Then we’ll put a temporary crown on your tooth that will look and function normally while you’re waiting on the permanent crown to be made, which typically takes about 2 weeks.
- Finally , you’ll return for a second visit to have the new crown cemented into place and make any necessary adjustments to make sure it looks and feels great.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
As a dentist in Virginia Beach with your long-term oral health in mind, we always recommend saving your natural teeth whenever possible. One of the biggest benefits of a dental crown is that it saves a damaged tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
Crowns are very strong, so you can continue using a tooth that’s been damaged or weakened for many years to come. In addition to providing strength and function, a crown will also look great and restore the appearance of your smile as well.
How Can You Maintain a Dental Crown?
With proper care, dental crowns can last 15-20 years. First, we always recommend regular checkups and cleanings so we can keep an eye on all of your dental work and catch any potential problems early. Your crown itself can’t get a cavity, but there’s a strip of exposed enamel where the crown and tooth meet that can. By maintaining good oral hygiene habits, you’ll keep your natural teeth healthier and also extend the life of your dental work.
If you clench and grind at night, we recommend a nightguard to protect your crown from chips and fractures. In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid chewing or biting on anything hard, such as ice, pens, or hard candy.
Dental crowns are a wonderful investment in your oral health. If you have any questions or think you may have damaged teeth that could benefit from dental crowns, give us a call today!