If you have extensive decay in a tooth or need a cosmetic repair, a dental crown may be the right option. Crowns are essentially caps that fit over an existing tooth or implant, and they create the look of a beautiful new tooth. They are used in a variety of situations and come in a range of materials.
Reasons You Might Need a Dental Crown
You can use a dental crown to repair a broken tooth or even to hold together a cracked tooth. They can also anchor a bridge, which is basically a row of fake teeth, or they can be used to cover misshapen teeth or severely discolored teeth. Finally, if you’re missing a tooth, you can have crowns over implants as well.
What to Expect When You Get a Dental Crown on an Existing Tooth
If the dentist decides that you need a crown, the process is relatively straightforward. First, the dentist will remove any decay on your existing tooth, and in some cases, the dentist will even do a root canal. Then, the dentist will shave down the remaining tooth, and the crown will be placed on top of that.
What to Expect When You Get a Dental Crown on an Implant
In cases where you are missing a tooth, the dentist can put a tooth crown over an implant. An implant is a metal rod embedded into your jaw bone, and the crown is placed on top of that. It looks just like a natural tooth.
Temporary Crowns
Generally, the dentist takes a mold of your teeth and sends the mold to a lab where they make the crown. In the meantime, however, the dentist will likely put a temporary crown on your tooth. When the real crown is ready, you return to the dental office. At that point, the dentist removes the temporary crown and puts on the permanent tooth crown.
Materials Used in Dental Crowns
Crowns can be stainless steel or other types of metal alloys, but that is generally not the most common option. Most patients opt for porcelain, ceramic, or resin crowns. This creates a more natural look.
How to Find Aesthetically Pleasing Crowns in Georgia
At Walton Center for Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves on using the best labs in Georgia. We want to ensure that the outcome is amazing and that you are pleased from an esthetic standpoint. We stay up to date with the all the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry so that we can meet your expectations. We also offer custom shade matches and other concierge service to ensure that the outcome is amazing.