When you visit your Blacktown dentist for a routine clean and polish, you hope your oral health is good. Unfortunately, even with the best oral hygiene practices, you may need a dental restoration.
Dental crowns are a type of restoration that can be customised depending on your unique concerns. Using the latest CEREC technology, our dental clinic can complete your dental crown while you wait comfortably in your treatment room. You can be back to living in less time than with traditional crowns, which have to be sent to an outside lab.
So, if you want to learn more about dental crowns and why you might need them, continue reading.
Understanding Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that completely covers your tooth. They look and function just like your natural teeth and are made of different materials, depending on the location in your mouth. At our dental clinic, we can customise your dental crown to match the shape and colour of your other teeth. The different types of dental crowns are as follows:
- Porcelain crowns—For front teeth or any teeth that show when you smile, porcelain can give you optimal aesthetic results
- Ceramic crowns—Similar to porcelain, ceramic crowns work well for front teeth and are beautiful and functional
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns—The inner layer of these crowns is metal, giving you additional strength for biting and chewing. Metal crowns are often used on back teeth
- All metal or gold crowns—For your back teeth, you may want to consider all metal or gold crowns to give you the protection you need
Common Reasons for Needing Dental Crowns
Now that you understand what a dental crown is, you’re probably wondering why your dentist might recommend one as part of your treatment plan. A dental crown is often an ideal restorative choice and can help you avoid a dental extraction. It can save your natural tooth and keep your tooth's roots intact.
If you have any of these dental concerns, a dental crown may be your best option:
- A tooth with an extensive filling
- A tooth that has been weakened by decay
- A tooth that has been fractured
- As protection after root canal therapy
- As part of a dental bridge
- As a way to fix a misshapen or discoloured tooth
- As a way to finish a single-tooth dental implant
The Process of Getting Dental Crowns
Once you and your dentist have had ample time to discuss your treatment plan and you understand the importance of keeping your natural tooth intact, here’s what you can expect from the dental crown procedure:
- Preparing the tooth—Before creating your new crown, we must remove any decay and properly shape your tooth so the crown will fit correctly. With CEREC same-day crowns, we don’t have to remove as much tooth structure as traditional crowns.
- Taking impressions—Then, we’ll use our state-of-the-art technology to create impressions. Our digital scanner will create a 3-D image of your new crown; you won’t have to worry about messy impressions. We’ll send that image to our dental lab to ensure the best fit possible and shorten your treatment time.
- Creating the crown—Our milling machine will create your dental crown while you wait. It will be made to blend seamlessly with your smile.
- Placing the crown—Your dentist will polish your new crown and ensure the colour is correct before cementing it and checking your bite.
Advantages of Dental Crowns
Your new dental crown boasts several advantages to your smile’s aesthetics and your oral health, including the following:
- Protects a weakened or damaged tooth—Once your tooth is covered, you can smile confidently and eat your favourite foods.
- Reinforces a bridge—If you have missing teeth and need a dental bridge, dental crowns on each side of your bridge can support it and keep you from needing dentures.
- Looks attractive—When you have a misshapen or cracked tooth, a dental crown will blend with the rest of your smile. No one will know you have a dental restoration.
- Relieves pain—If you have a cracked tooth, thin tooth enamel or have undergone root canal therapy, a dental crown can protect your tooth and minimise your discomfort.
- Maintains jawbone density—Because a dental crown helps you avoid an extraction, your tooth’s roots stay intact, helping you retain the density of your jawbone.
The Importance of Consulting a Dentist
If you are experiencing symptoms of a dental infection or notice a cracked tooth, it’s essential to consult a dentist for treatment recommendations. Ignoring your symptoms or waiting to arrange a dental appointment could result in further treatment or tooth loss.
Questions about Dental Crowns in Blacktown, NSW?
If you are looking for a Blacktown dentist who can explain the dental crown process and answer any questions you have about your oral health, consider the Peak Dental Care team. We will happily assist you with all your dental health needs; our focus on preventive care is aimed at helping you keep your natural teeth for a lifetime.
We invite you to call us on (02) 9831 4046 to arrange an appointment or consultation.
