Dental crowns are one of the most commonly used dental treatments because of their versatility and benefits for long-term dental health. A dental crown is a custom-made tooth cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth. It can restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. At Reliance Dental, we provide dental crown treatment in Edmonton, AB.
Dental crowns can be made from various materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination. We will choose the right crown for you based on your specific needs and tooth location. Crowns are part of our restorative dentistry treatments.
Common Reasons for Placing A Dental Crown
Dental crowns offer a versatile solution for various dental care needs, and our team is here to guide you through the process. We will discuss your specific situation, review your treatment options, and explain what to expect every step of the way. Dental crowns can:
- Protect Weak or Damaged Teeth: Teeth weakened by extensive decay, cracks, or after a root canal procedure need extra support to prevent further damage. We may also recommend a crown for a large filling. A dental crown acts as a protective cover. It helps maintain your bite and prevents additional harm, keeping your smile healthy and functional.
- Restore Broken or Worn-Down Teeth: A crown can restore its shape and functionality if a tooth is severely cracked, broken, or worn down from grinding or other factors. Crowns rebuild damaged and broken teeth so you can chew and speak comfortably. By restoring a tooth’s structure, crowns also enhance long-term oral health.
- Improve Appearance: Discolored or misshapen teeth can affect how you feel about your smile. Custom-made crowns blend seamlessly with your natural teeth to create a uniform, attractive look. Whether you’re addressing a single tooth or multiple teeth, crowns can help you feel more confident about your smile.
- Support Dental Bridges: Missing teeth can cause problems with chewing and speaking while impacting your appearance. A dental bridge fills the gap by using crowns to anchor the replacement teeth to the natural teeth on either side. Crowns provide the support needed to ensure the bridge is stable and looks natural.
- Complete Dental Implants: If you’re missing a tooth and have opted for a dental implant, a crown is the finishing touch. The crown attaches to the implant, mimicking the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth. This allows you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence, all while enjoying the durability of an implant-supported crown.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Crowns?
We recommend crowns for patients who want stronger teeth. Our office uses crowns to strengthen weakened teeth, complete restorations, and create whiter teeth. Getting dental crowns comes with many benefits for patients who want more functional and beautiful teeth.
Restore Tooth Function
A damaged tooth can make it hard to chew, bite, or speak properly. This can affect your ability to enjoy food or communicate easily. A crown can restore the tooth’s natural shape and strength so you can bite and chew without discomfort. It ensures that your tooth works properly again, giving you back the ability to eat and talk as normal.
Improve Appearance
Crowns are often designed to match the natural color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth. Whether your teeth are discolored, broken, or misshapen, a crown can blend seamlessly with your smile. This makes it an excellent option for improving the look of a tooth, giving you a more attractive, uniform smile.
Offer Long-Lasting Care
Dental crowns are made from durable materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, which makes them resistant to wear and damage. With proper care, dental crowns can last many years. Unlike other dental treatments that might require frequent adjustments or replacements, crowns provide long-term protection. They also reduce the need for additional procedures.
The Dental Crown Procedure in Edmonton, AB
It takes two appointments to get dental crowns. At your first appointment, our dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown. They will numb the area around the tooth to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Then, the dentist will carefully shape the tooth, removing any damaged or decayed parts and allowing the crown to fit snugly.
After shaping the tooth, the dentist will take an impression or digital scan of your teeth. This ensures that your crown is custom-made to fit perfectly with your bite. While your permanent crown is custom-designed in a local dental lab, you’ll receive a temporary crown to protect your tooth. You can gently care for temporary crowns like your natural teeth. Just be careful with hard or chewy foods.
At your second appointment, our dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of your permanent crown. Before placing it, they’ll make sure it matches your natural teeth and feels comfortable.
Once everything looks and feels right, Dr. Chandy will cement the crown in place. They’ll make final adjustments to ensure your bite is even, and the crown feels natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to popular patient questions about dental crown treatment from your Edmonton, AB, dentist.
What types of dental crowns are available?
You have many materials to choose from. The most common types of crowns include:
- Metal
- Gold
- Zirconia
- PFM
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are the least expensive option and are the standard material for same-day crowns. But they may not last as long as other options.
Metal crowns, made from gold or other alloys, are strong and long-lasting. While they withstand heavy chewing, they’re less popular for visible teeth because of their metallic appearance. Zirconia crowns are the most expensive option but the hardest material.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are also strong and look natural. While PFM crowns cost less than zirconia, the metal in these crowns shows at the gum line. We recommend porcelain crowns because they look natural and provide strength. They’re less expensive than zirconia and match the color of other teeth.
How long does it take to get a crown?
It can take several weeks to get a crown. You can get a crown in two office visits. At your first visit, we’ll take impressions and get your accurate measurements. Then we’ll place your crown at the next visit.
Will my crown look like a tooth?
Yes, your dental crown can look just like your natural teeth. At Reliance Dental, Dr. Chandy carefully selects a shade that matches the color of your surrounding teeth. Your crown is then custom-made in a dental lab using high-quality porcelain materials, which mimic the translucency of real teeth.
Will my crown feel different from my natural tooth?
Most people find that dental crowns feel very natural in the mouth. Porcelain crowns are smooth and carefully shaped to match the size and contour of your natural tooth. Because they are custom-made to fit your bite and blend with your other teeth, they usually feel just like your real tooth. You may notice a little difference at first, but the crown will feel just like a tooth once you adjust.
How do crowns compare to inlays and onlays?
Crowns, inlays, and onlays are all ways to restore damaged teeth, but they work differently. A crown covers the entire tooth, giving full protection and strength. An inlay fits inside the tooth, like a filling, and an onlay covers one or more cusps (the chewing points) of the tooth. Inlays and onlays are good for smaller areas of damage, while crowns are better for teeth that are weak, cracked, or need full coverage.
How do you care for dental crowns?
Dental crowns can last for many years with good oral hygiene and regular professional dental care in our Edmonton dental clinic. Follow these tips to care for your new crowns:
- Brush and Floss: Keeping your teeth and gums clean is key to making your dental crown last. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, making sure to clean along the gumline. Don’t forget to floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas around your crown. Using an antibacterial mouthwash can also help reduce the risk of decay or gum disease.
- Visit Our Dentist Regularly: Routine dental checkups are important to monitor the condition of your crown and overall oral health. During these visits, your dentist will check the crown’s fit, clean around it, and ensure no issues, such as gum inflammation or decay under the crown.
- Avoid Bad Habits: While crowns are strong, certain habits can damage them over time. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails, as this can crack or loosen your crown. If you grind your teeth, we may recommend a nightguard to protect your crowns and natural teeth.
Does it hurt to get a crown?
No, getting a dental crown won’t hurt. We’ll numb the treated area with local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain while we prepare your tooth. You may feel some pressure, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable. Your tooth may feel a little sensitive for a few days after, but it usually goes away on its own or with over-the-counter pain relief.
How much are dental crowns?
The cost of a dental crown in Edmonton, AB, depends on the material and number of crowns you need. Dr. Chandy will review your needs with you before you get your restoration. She’ll also take pretreatments into account. Treatment can cost more if you need a root canal, gum disease treatment, or other treatment to restore your health. Dr. Chandy will ensure you’re in good oral health before you get your crown.
Protect Your Teeth
Do you have damaged molars? Are your worn teeth creating an uneven bite? Get a custom dental crown in our Edmonton, AB, dental office. Call Reliance Dental at 587-840-9984 or request an appointment with Dr. Chandy on our website.