A bad bite and damaged teeth are more than just a dental health problem. Bad teeth can hurt your self-confidence and keep you from eating the foods you love. One of the most common restorative dental treatments is dental crowns. But how do they work?
What Are Crowns?
Dental crowns are a sort of cap that fits over a damaged tooth. The crown stabilizes the damaged tooth so that you can speak and eat normally. It also improves appearance so you feel confident in your smile.
Reasons to Receive Dental Crowns
Crowns can be used to stabilize and repair a number of dental complaints.
- Repair extensive cavities
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Root canals
- Misshapen teeth
- Permanent tooth discoloration
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are available in a variety of materials. Depending on your specific needs, Drs. James Wooddell and Joseph Passaro will make a recommendation about what choice is right for you.
Gold
Traditionally, crowns have been made of gold. While we recommend composite resin or ceramic in most cases, but gold is sometimes recommended for crowns on the back molars for a strong and durable treatment.
Porcelain
For years, has been the go-to option for visible crowns. Porcelain is tough and hard-wearing and resistant to stains. It also mimics the way teeth reflect light and can be colored-matched to your smile for a beautiful, natural result.
Zirconia
Zirconia is one of the newest options on the market, starting to edge out porcelain. Zirconium is a transition metal with a whitish sheen, giving all the durability of metal with the natural look of porcelain.
What to Expect
Your dental crown treatment will be spread over several appointments. First, your dentist will clean, repair, and stabilize the tooth. The tooth also needs to be reshaped to fit the crown. Using impressions of your mouth, a lab will manufacture your crown and color-match it to your natural teeth. While you wait, Dr. Wooddell or Dr. Passaro will place a temporary cap to protect the tooth and let you eat. On your second visit, your dentist will place and adjust the crown for a perfect fit, and cement it in place. Your new crown should look and feel like a natural tooth.
Schedule a Consultation
Do you need restorative dental treatment? Do you have old work that needs to be re-done? Drs. Wooddell and Passaro have years of experience offering the best dental care around. They look forward to matching you with a comfortable, attractive custom crown to restore your comfort and confidence. To schedule an appointment, contact Wooddell & Passaro in Davidsonville, MD on our website or at (410) 343-7075.