Smile Brighter with Dental Crowns
Do you have a damaged tooth? Do you have worn or stained teeth or additional dental issues? Try dental crowns at Katy Smile Design in Katy, TX. Drs. Catherine Wilder and Lauren Shepard offer tooth crowns as a restorative dental service. Dental crowns can protect teeth after root canals, close gaps between teeth, or restore missing teeth with dental implants. They can also strengthen anchor teeth for dental bridges, cover stained teeth, or repair chips and cracks in the tooth enamel.
Dental Crown Treatment At Katy Smile Design
Did you know that the best results begin with a thorough dental care exam and plan? First, our dentist will evaluate your oral health to determine the best course of action. Then, we will discuss the plan with you before starting any treatment.
To begin the procedure, we will etch the tooth enamel to prepare the tooth surface for the dental crown. Then we take digital impressions of the teeth and send them to a local dental lab. The dental lab will fabricate the crown according to these specifications and send it to us when complete.
We will provide you with a temporary tooth cap while our dental laboratory makes the permanent crown. Typically consisting of hard plastic, this temporary dental crown seals the tooth and prevents sensitivity.
Once the crown is ready, you’ll return to our dental office for a second appointment. During the second appointment, we will cement the crown in place. But first, we will double-check the fit, shape, and color and make any minor adjustments before we permanently bond it to your tooth.
The entire process usually only takes two visits, and we can complete it in as little as two weeks!
What are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are similar to dental fillings and crowns but cover different areas of the teeth. We use them when we need something that fits “just right” in the area. They’re like a step in between fillings and full crowns. If you have more damaged structure than a filling can handle and still be stable but don’t have enough to grind down and prepare a tooth for a crown fully, we recommend using an inlay or an onlay.
Inlays fill in the area between the cusps of the tooth. Onlays can fill in this area and take care of the cusps. They’re able to take on a larger surface area than an inlay. They don’t cover the entire surface of the tooth like crowns do, but they cover more than a filling is capable of. They consist of the same materials and provide a strong restoration for your tooth.
The Versatility of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most important tools a dentist has. The dentist can treat both cosmetic and restorative issues with this dental prosthetic. They completely cover your tooth. Usually, professional teeth whitening treats discolored teeth. But not all discoloration responds to this. A dental crown can be any white shade covering the entire tooth. If you have a misshapen tooth, a crown can restore a good look and full functionality.
Dentists use temporary crowns to stabilize teeth after a root canal. Root canal therapy involves scraping out infected material and filling the open space with a biocompatible material. Although the dentist fills and seals the tooth off, the tooth is not as strong as it once was. A dental crown brings the tooth back to full strength and helps protect it from further infection.
Dental crowns also allow us to save your natural teeth. They do not replace lost teeth or act as prosthetic teeth alone. If you have a severely decayed tooth, you may think it’s a lost cause and need an extraction. But a crown can stabilize teeth that have extreme damage! Keeping the tooth root has many benefits for oral health, so we try to preserve it whenever possible. Dental crowns allow us to avoid extracting the tooth and needing a tooth replacement option.
Lastly, dental crowns are often the final restoration step for dental implants and assist fixed bridges. We customize our crowns to match the shape, size, and color of the rest of your smile, making them a natural choice to top a dental implant. For fixed bridges, natural teeth may have to take on the stress of supporting the bridge. A dental crown can help to protect your natural tooth by placing the stress of the bridge on the crown instead.
Dental Crown FAQs
If you’re considering getting a dental crown, you may have some questions about the procedure and what it entails. Here are some of the most frequent questions about dental crowns that will help you make an informed decision.
Am I a candidate for dental crowns?
You can receive dental crowns even if you have missing or infected teeth. Our office treats gum disease before restorative and cosmetic treatments to ensure the best result. Dental crowns cap off dental implants, implant-secured dentures, and dental bridges if you have missing teeth.
How do I care for my dental crowns?
You should clean and maintain your dental crowns just like natural teeth. For long-term results, schedule routine dental cleanings and examinations. Our porcelain crowns are highly stain-resistant and will look bright if cleaned daily.
Is the dental crown treatment painful?
We always use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth before we begin your dental crown treatment. Fearful or anxious patients can also qualify for dental sedation. When recovering, patients may feel temporary tooth sensitivity and gum soreness.
Can I get a tooth infection beneath a dental crown?
Dental crowns that do not fit properly are more prone to infection and decay. Plaque, a sticky substance made of harmful bacteria, can build up underneath a dental crown and infect the tooth under the crown. Call our office if you have an old or broken crown. We can fit you with a new crown that fully protects the tooth.
How long does it take for a crown to settle?
After the dentist fits your new crown, the patient could initially feel that it is bulky. However, after a little more than two weeks, the patient will eventually adjust. If it still doesn’t feel right after a few weeks, we recommend coming back into our office so we can check on how your mouth is adjusting to your crown.
What are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns may comprise various materials, including porcelain, metal, or ceramic. They may also comprise a combination of both porcelain and metal. The material a crown is made of varies on patient needs. However, the most common materials used in our office are porcelain and ceramic because they offer an aesthetically pleasing finish.
Dental Crowns and Other Procedures in Katy, TX
Katy Smile Design offers dental crown procedures and other restorative dental treatments to patients in Katy, TX. Our practice also specializes in cosmetic and general dentistry, including laser treatment options. To schedule an appointment with our team, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 281-843-9814.