Dental crowns are a type of dental restoration that is used to improve the tooth's size, shape, and strength. They are made up of a thin "cap" that encases the damaged tooth, restoring its natural appearance and function. Dental crowns can be made from many different materials, including metal, porcelain, or a combination of the two, depending on the location of the crown and the condition of your smile.
At Palmetto Dental Arts, we are proud to offer porcelain dental crowns, which are known for their natural appearance, strength, and durability. Porcelain crowns can enhance the beauty of your smile without anyone knowing that you've undergone cosmetic dental treatment.
What Conditions Can Porcelain Crowns Resolve?
Dental crowns are a very common cosmetic dental restoration. They can be used to treat a variety of oral health concerns, including:
- Weak teeth
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Teeth needed to support a dental bridge
- Severely discolored teeth
- Cavities that are too large to fill
- Worn teeth
Porcelain crowns are also used on teeth that have undergone root canal treatment or are missing. For people with one or more missing teeth, porcelain crowns can be utilized with permanent dental implants.
How Can Porcelain Crowns Benefit Me?
There's no question that living with a damaged smile can have a negative impact on one's quality of life. Along with affecting your appearance, an imperfect smile can make performing ordinary tasks, such as speaking and eating, more difficult and lower your self-esteem. Fortunately, porcelain crowns can help you live a happier life by providing many benefits, including:
- Strengthening weak or worn teeth
- Preventing further damage to broken teeth
- Providing a permanent, durable, convenient tooth restoration
- Improving the size, shape, color, and overall beauty of a tooth
- Restore ideal bite and chewing function
Porcelain dental crowns can certainly improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence, but more importantly, they are an effective option to improve your oral health and make a positive investment in your long-term oral health. After all, a beautiful smile is a healthy smile.
Porcelain Crown Procedure
Having a porcelain crown placed in your mouth will take place over the course of two dental appointments. At your first appointment, the dentist will numb the surrounding area of the damaged tooth with a local anesthetic, ensuring you're comfortable. They will then prepare the damaged teeth for the crown before taking a digital scan of the area(s) to send to a dental laboratory. The lab will create custom crowns that are specially formed to the specific shape, size and color of your natural smile. After the area is prepped and for the 3-4 week time period while your permanent crown is being fabricated at the lab, a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown(s) will be removed and your permanent crown(s) will be placed or "seated" over your teeth. As soon as your crown is seated, you can enjoy your new smile as you would with your natural teeth. The length of your dental crown seat appointment will depend..." "...having a dental crown placed can take anywhere from 30 - 90 minutes from start to finish.
While the local anesthetic will keep you comfortable during your procedure, you may experience mild discomfort or tenderness after your crown is placed in your mouth. This should resolve within a day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
Taking the time to care for your dental crowns is the best way to ensure that they stay beautiful and strong for years to come. With good oral health habits, most people can expect their dental crown to stay in good condition for up to ten years, sometimes longer. To get the most out of your porcelain dental crowns, be sure to:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss and use mouth rinse daily
- Avoid biting down on hard foods and items, such as ice
- Visit the dentist every six months for routine exams and professional cleanings
What Happens If I Don't Get a Porcelain Crown?
If you are interested in having a porcelain crown placed in your mouth specifically for aesthetic purposes, then not getting one will likely leave your smile in the same condition that it's currently in. However, if you are experiencing a dental problem that affects the appearance and function of your tooth and a porcelain crown is recommended by your dentist, it's important to seek professional dental treatment sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, oral health problems will not go away on their own. On the contrary, they often progress and worsen over time when left untreated, which can make them more noticeable, painful, and expensive to resolve. For these reasons, if you are suffering from a damaged tooth, a dental crown could be an effective way to restore your smile's appearance, comfort, and function. Most importantly, a dental crown could protect your overall oral health.
How Much Do Porcelain Crowns Cost?
The cost of a porcelain dental crown can vary based on the dental lab and the material used. There are specialty cosmetic labs that only fabricate cosmetic crowns, which can be more expensive but are more natural in appearance. The current average cost for a porcelain crown is between $1400 and $2000.
