Crowns

Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns?

Is your smile making you unhappy? Do you suffer from nagging oral discomfort that prevents you from living life to the fullest? Thorn Run Dental Care understands that missing teeth and tooth pain can ruin both your day and your smile. Procedures like tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, and root canal therapy can protect the root, but the tooth can only withstand so many repairs, so a dental crown may be the right option for some.

Many might be thinking “what is a dental cap?” To inquire further about dental crowns, or to schedule an appointment for crowns near Moon Township, Pennsylvania, call us at 412-269-9466!

Types of Crowns:

Unless you’ve had a crown placed before, you probably aren’t familiar with the different types of crowns available and may be thinking, “what is a crown?!” Crowns are teeth caps that can be made from several materials and are designed to protect damaged or weakened teeth. Your dentist may give you a list of options for making your dental crown, including:

  • Porcelain & ceramic- Both of these options are visually appealing because they give patients the closest match to their natural teeth but may not be as durable as other crowns.
  • Metal-alloy – A mixed-metal crown typically consisting of gold and another metal compound such as silver, platinum, copper, or tin.
  • Porcelain-metal fusion- These provide a stronger bond than regular porcelain. They are frequently used by dentists because of their longevity, and because they combine the strength of a metal base with the aesthetic appeal of a porcelain surface.
  • Resin- Composite resin crowns offer a more inexpensive option, at least initially. These crowns bear a striking resemblance to natural teeth but may wear down quicker than other crowns if not properly cared for.
  • BruxZir– These types of crowns are created from the highest quality Japanese zirconia. Unlike other restoration processes, BruxZir has improved light transmission, providing a more natural shade and realistic appearance.

Do I Need a Crown?

In addition to offering durable protection, dental crowns are recommended for the treatment of fractured or cracked teeth, as well as to help hold a dental bridge in place. Crowns are also used to cover discolored or misshaped teeth.

Are you wondering “do I need crowns?” If you are, here are some of the most common reasons a crown might be needed:

  • Protecting & restoring broken teeth
  • Holding a dental bridge in place
  • Covering a discolored tooth
  • Covering dental implants
  • Restoring a filling
  • Protecting the tooth & root structure after root canal therapy
  • Closing gaps in teeth

Getting Your Crown

A crown requires a few minimally invasive procedures that will quickly address your dental issues. First, we will place a cap over the injured tooth, which helps return its shape, strength, and appearance. After that, impressions are made and sent to a dental laboratory where your crown will be created.

While you are waiting for your new crown, your dentist will make a temporary one and insert it in the affected area. When the new crown arrives, the temporary crown will be removed, and the new crown will take its place!

Dental Crown Aftercare

Once the crown is in place, be sure to maintain proper dental care. While a crown restores a tooth and bolsters its defenses against wear and tear, no tooth is indestructible. With proper care, however, a quality crown can last almost a decade. In addition, be wary of other behaviors that might damage the dental crown, such as jaw clenching, bruxism (teeth grinding), and eating hard, brittle foods.

Dental Crown FAQs

What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?

Since a crown covers your entire tooth, it will be able to hold cracked teeth in the correct position while preventing additional damage. For those who find discomfort in the feeling of a badly cracked tooth, a crown’s smooth surface will provide a more pleasant feel amongst your other teeth.

What is Prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics focuses on the use of dental prostheses and implants to improve mouth, teeth, and gum health. Prosthetic dentistry can include temporary fixes such as braces, or permanent solutions, such as:

  • Bridges
  • Implants
  • Veneers
  • Crowns

Does Getting a Crown Hurt?

Getting a crown is not a painful experience; due to anesthetic and sedation, the most a patient may feel is mild discomfort. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks!

How Long Do Crowns Last?

Although today's crowns are plenty durable, there is no replacing the durability of an actual tooth. Most crowns last a decade before needing to be replaced. A crown’s location in your mouth also plays a determining factor in its lifespan.

When Do You Need a Crown?

Crowns are a common dentistry procedure used to correct issues such as cavities and broken teeth. Not all conditions need a crown, so it is important to consult a dentist for recommendations.

So, if you are tired of searching for, “dental crowns near me,” or want answers to your questions such as, “how long do crowns last?” and, “how much does a crown cost?” call our Moon Township, Pennsylvania office today at 412-269-9466 to learn more.

BruxZir Crowns and Bridges

BruxZir solid crowns and bridges are created from the highest quality zirconia from Japan. Unlike other high-pressure manufacturing processes for restorations, BruxZir is made with improved light transmission, providing a more natural shade and realistic appearance compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations and full-cast restorations.

Read more about BruxZir Crowns and Bridges

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are composed of materials that are not only extremely strong and durable but aesthetically pleasing as well. The advantage of a ceramic crown is that the crown not only functions like a real tooth but has a natural appearance as well.

Read more about Ceramic

Crown Lengthening

Dental crown lengthening is a type of oral surgery that is performed for a variety of dental health problems, including restorative and cosmetic procedures. The surgery involves removing or recontouring gum tissue and sometimes bone with a dental laser to expose more of the tooth’s structure so that it can be treated. The dental laser is extremely accurate and effective, resulting in minimal pain, reduced healing time, and greater chances for successful treatment of the affected area.

Read more about Crown Lengthening

Empress Esthetic Crown

When it comes to restoring your smile, we utilize the highest quality materials and products available in dentistry. For teeth needing crown restoration, we use Empress® Esthetic, the material of choice when it comes to single-tooth restorations.

Read more about Empress Esthetic Crown

Implant-Supported Crowns

A dental crown is a restoration that replaces the top part of the tooth. A single tooth that needs to be completely replaced can be restored utilizing an implant-supported crown. The crown is typically made of porcelain, giving the restoration a natural look.

Read more about Implant-Supported Crowns

Traditional Crowns

If you suffer a cracked or broken tooth, your provider is likely to recommend a crown, a custom-fitted cap, to cover it and restore the tooth's shape, strength and appearance. Traditional crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

Read more about Traditional Crowns