Your Guide to the Advantages of Dental Restorations
Are you considering dental crownsto restore your smile or fix damaged teeth? At Glenwood Dental Associates in Smyrna, DE, we provide exceptional dental crown services for patients from Blackbird, Clayton, and Dover. Dental crowns offer numerous advantages that can transform both the function and appearance of your teeth. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about dental crowns, their benefits, and why they might be the right choice for your dental needs.
Ready to explore if dental crowns are right for you? Call our Smyrna dental officeat (302) 653-5011to schedule your consultation today!
The Glenwood Dental Associates Difference: Advanced Crown Technology
At Glenwood Dental Associates, we stay at the forefront of dental technology to provide superior crown restorations. Our digital scanning technology creates highly accurate impressions without the discomfort of traditional methods. This results in crowns that fit better, last longer, and look more natural.
Our Smyrna dental teamconsiders factors like your bite alignment, adjacent teeth, and aesthetic goals when designing your crown. This comprehensive approach leads to restorations that improve both function and appearance simultaneously.
Key Dental Crown Benefits
1. Restored Function and Strength
Dental crowns provide exceptional support for teeth that have been weakened by decay, large fillings, or fractures. By encasing the entire visible portion of the tooth, crowns distribute biting forces evenly and protect the underlying tooth structure from further damage.
The strength provided by dental crowns allows you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Many patients report significant improvement in their ability to chew food comfortably after getting dental crowns.
2. Enhanced Appearance and Aesthetics
One of the most noticeable benefits of dental crowns is the immediate improvement in your smile’s appearance. Crowns can correct various cosmetic concerns:
- Discolored or stained teeth that don’t respond to whitening
- Misshapen or uneven teeth
- Worn-down teeth that affect your smile
- Teeth with large fillings that look unnatural
Our dental team in Smyrna takes careful measurements and matches the color of your crown to your surrounding teeth. The result is a natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with your smile.
3. Protection for Damaged Teeth
When a tooth is cracked, weakened, or has undergone root canal therapy, it becomes vulnerable to further damage. Dental crowns provide a protective shield, preventing additional deterioration and potentially saving the affected tooth from extraction.
This protective quality is particularly important for back teeth that endure significant pressure from chewing. A well-fitted crown can extend the life of a compromised tooth by many years.
4. Long-lasting Durability
With proper care, dental crowns can last 10-15 years or even longer. The durability of dental crowns makes them a cost-effective solution for tooth restoration over time.
The material used for your crown impacts its longevity. Metal crowns typically last the longest, while all-porcelain crowns offer superior aesthetics. Your dentist at Glenwood Dental Associates will recommend the most appropriate material based on the location of the tooth and your specific needs.
5. Versatility for Various Dental Issues
Dental crowns are remarkably versatile and can address numerous dental problems:
- Protecting weak teeth from breaking
- Restoring already broken teeth
- Supporting teeth with large fillings
- Holding dental bridges in place
- Covering dental implants
- Concealing severely discolored teeth
- Correcting oddly shaped teeth
This versatility makes crowns an essential tool in restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Maintaining Your Restoration After Dental Crown Placement
While dental crowns are highly durable, proper maintenance ensures their longevity. Here are some tips for caring for your dental crowns:
- Brush twice daily and floss regularly around the crown
- Avoid biting extremely hard foods or objects (ice, hard candy, etc.)
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
- Schedule regular dental check-ups
- Have professional cleanings every six months
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your crown can remain functional and attractive for many years.
Dental Crowns vs. Other Dental Restorations
Crowns vs. Fillings
Dental fillings repair cavities and minor tooth damage, but don’t provide the comprehensive protection of crowns. While fillings are less invasive and less expensive initially, they may not be sufficient for severely damaged teeth or those that have undergone root canal treatment.
Crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth, offering complete protection and restoration of function. For teeth with extensive damage or decay, crowns typically provide better long-term results.
Crowns vs. Veneers
Dental veneersare thin shells that cover only the front surface of teeth, primarily addressing cosmetic concerns. They’re excellent for improving the appearance of front teeth with minor imperfections.
Crowns, however, encase the entire tooth and provide both aesthetic improvements and structural support. For teeth that need both cosmetic enhancement and functional restoration, crowns are often the better choice.
Special Considerations for Dental Crowns
Crowns for Back Teeth
Molars and premolars endure significant pressure during chewing, requiring strong, durable crowns. For these teeth, we might recommend metals or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns that can withstand heavy forces.
The appearance of back teeth is less visible when you smile, so functional considerations often take priority over aesthetics for these restorations.
Crowns for Front Teeth
Front teeth define your smile, so aesthetic considerations are paramount. All-porcelain or ceramic crowns are typically recommended for front teeth because they most closely resemble natural tooth enamel.
Our dentists pay special attention to the color, translucency, and shape of front tooth crowns to create a natural-looking result that enhances your smile.
Don’t let damaged teeth affect your confidence or oral health. Call Glenwood Dental Associates at (302) 653-5011to learn how dental crowns can restore your smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients adjust to their dental crowns within a few days. Initially, you might notice the crown feels slightly different because it changes the shape of your tooth. After a short adjustment period, however, most people forget they even have a crown. Your dentist will carefully adjust the height and shape of your crown to ensure it fits perfectly with your bite.
While the crown itself cannot decay, the natural tooth structure underneath and at the margins where the crown meets the tooth remains susceptible to cavities. This is why maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential even with crowned teeth. Regular brushing, flossing around the crown margins, and dental check-ups help prevent decay from developing underneath your crown.
You should avoid extremely sticky foods like caramel or taffy that might dislodge the crown, especially when it’s newly placed. Very hard foods like ice, hard candy, or nuts should be chewed carefully to avoid damaging the crown. With porcelain crowns, be aware that they can chip if subjected to excessive force, similar to natural teeth.
The tooth being crowned is numbed with local anesthesia during preparation, so you should feel minimal discomfort during the procedure. Some sensitivity may occur after the temporary crown is placed or after the permanent crown is cemented, but this typically subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually address any temporary discomfort effectively.
Transform Your Dental Health with Dental Crowns in Smyrna, DE
Dental crowns provide a reliable, attractive solution for damaged, decayed, or cosmetically imperfect teeth. At Glenwood Dental Associates in Smyrna, DE, we take pride in creating custom dental crowns that restore function, enhance appearance, and promote long-term oral health.
Our experienced Smyrna dental team near youserves patients with compassionate care and technical excellence. We use the latest dental techniques and high-quality materials to create crowns that look natural and feel comfortable.
Ready to discover how dental crowns can improve your oral health and enhance your smile? Contact Glenwood Dental Associates today at (302) 653-5011 to schedule your consultation. Our friendly team looks forward to welcoming patients from Blackbird, Clayton, and Dover to our practice!