Dental crowns play a big part in keeping your smile healthy and strong. They can fix damaged or decayed teeth while also improving how your teeth look. A crown is a cap that covers a tooth to bring back its size, shape, and function. At Slate Dental, we offer different types of crowns to fit the needs of our patients in the Washington, DC area. Our practice also provides other restorative treatments for our local community.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth. It protects the tooth and improves its appearance after a dentist repairs it. You have different kinds of crowns to choose from, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Choosing the right material depends on where the crown is going and what you prefer. Each type has its own strengths and best uses:
- Porcelain Crowns: These crowns look very natural and are often best for front teeth.
- Ceramic Crowns: These also look natural and work for either front or back teeth.
- Metal Crowns: These are very strong and are usually placed on back teeth where more force is needed.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns: These combine the look of porcelain with the strength of metal, offering the best of both.
You might need a dental crown for many reasons. We will repair your discolored, misshapen, badly decayed, and damaged teeth with strong crowns. No matter your issue, we can help you restore the overall function of your teeth. After a crown visit, you will be able to chew and speak clearly without pain again.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can do more than just improve the way your teeth look. They protect, restore, and enhance your smile. Here’s how crowns can help your oral health and boost your confidence.
Strengthen Weak Teeth
Crowns lend extra support to teeth that are weak from decay, cracks, or large fillings. A damaged tooth is more likely to break and get infections. A crown helps hold the tooth together, protect it, and prevent more damage and pain. This is especially helpful for molars, which take a lot of pressure from chewing. By covering and protecting the tooth, a crown can also help you avoid bigger procedures like root canals or extractions.
Protect from Further Damage
A crown is a protective cover for the entire visible part of the tooth. This cover keeps the tooth safe from harmful things like bacteria, plaque, or injury. Without this, a damaged tooth can become more prone to infections or further decay. By placing a crown, you give the tooth the protection it needs to stay strong and healthy. This also helps prevent discomfort, pain and sensitivity that often comes with an unprotected tooth.
Restore Tooth Function
When a tooth is damaged, chewing, biting, or even speaking can be uncomfortable. Crowns help bring back the full function of the tooth so you can eat and talk without any issues. Whether it’s a back tooth that grinds food or a front tooth that bites, crowns make sure your teeth work the way they should. This not only helps with eating and speaking but makes everyday life easier and more comfortable.
Improve Your Smile
Crowns don’t just protect teeth, they can also make them look better. If you have chipped, misshapen, or discolored teeth, crowns can transform how they look. Custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your other teeth, crowns blend in naturally with your other teeth. Whether you need one crown or several as part of a bigger cosmetic treatment, they can help you smile with confidence knowing your teeth look great.
Long-Lasting Solution
With good care, crowns can last for many years, and sometimes even over a decade. This makes them a long-term solution for protecting and improving your teeth. By brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, you can keep your crown in great shape for many years. It’s a solid investment in both your smile and your overall dental health.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Getting a dental crown involves a few steps. Here’s what you can expect:
- Consultation and Exam: At your first appointment, Dr. John Slate will check your teeth and take x-rays to plan your treatment. We will also take impressions of your teeth to prepare for the next step.
- Tooth Preparation: Dr. Slate reshapes the tooth so that the crown can fit over it. He may need to remove some of the tooth structure for the crown to fit properly. We will take more impressions after this step to make a model for your custom crown.
- Temporary Crown: Dr. Slate will place a temporary crown on your tooth while the permanent one is being made. This temporary crown will protect the tooth until your final crown is ready.
- Crown Placement: Once the custom crown is ready, Dr. Slate will place it on your tooth and secure it. Finally, you will leave our Washington, DC office with a beautiful and ready-to-use new crown.
Potential Risks and Complications
Although getting a dental crown is a safe procedure, there are some possible risks. Some people may have allergic reactions to the materials used in the crown, though this is rare. You might also experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures after the dentist places the crown for the first couple of days. In some cases, patients may feel some discomfort or irritation around the crowned tooth.
Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of a dental crown can vary depending on several factors, such as the material and the complexity of the procedure. The type of crown, the location of the tooth, and whether you need any additional procedures will affect the total cost. Many dental insurance plans will cover part of the cost of crowns. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to see what they cover.
Schedule An Appointment Today
Dental crowns are a great way to protect and restore damaged or decayed teeth. At Slate Dental, we provide high-quality care to patients in the Washington, DC area. If you need a dental crown or want to learn more, schedule an appointment online or call us at (425) 584-3751 today!