Dental Crown Treatment
Trusted Dental Care in Everett, WA
DENTAL CROWN TREATMENT IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON
When a tooth is damaged due to decay or trauma, dental crown treatment in Everett, WA can help preserve it, avoiding the need for extraction. If you’re seeking affordable dental crowns in, book an appointment at Perfect Smiles Dentistry today.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a cap that is placed on a tooth to strengthen and protect it. Unlike a veneer, which is just applied to the front of a tooth for cosmetic improvement, a crown completely covers the entire tooth structure.
Crowns can be made from various different materials, which we will look at in more detail later. But whichever one you choose, it will be carefully crafted to fit properly alongside your other teeth and give you a correct bite.
When does a tooth need a crown treatment?
Your dentist may recommend a crown for several reasons, including:
A tooth has a cavity too large for a filling
A tooth is cracked or broken
An old filling needs replacement, leaving a weak tooth structure
Following root canal treatment
To enhance your smile by improving the size, shape, and color of your teeth
In these situations, crowns provide needed support and strength, allowing you to retain as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Crowns are also useful for cosmetic purposes; they can cover discolored or misshapen teeth unsuitable for veneers. Additionally, crowns play a role in dental bridges, using crowns to secure false teeth, or implants that support a crown placed atop a metal rod in the jawbone.
Types of dental crown materials
Once you confirm the need for a crown, it’s essential to decide on the type and material. At Perfect Smiles Dentistry, we offer comprehensive consultations to discuss your options for dental crown treatment in Everett, WA. Here are the main choices:
Here are the main options:
All-metal crowns
The gold and silver alloys used in metal teeth crowns are strong and durable, making them a good solution for molars (back teeth). However, some people prefer to avoid the appearance of a tooth capped in metal – even at the back of the mouth.
Silver alloy crowns are often the cheapest type, but gold is much more expensive.
All-ceramic crowns
Crowns made from ceramic, or porcelain, are usually recommended for front teeth because they are the most natural-looking way to crown a tooth. The material can be made to closely match the natural tooth color, making the crown blend in with the other teeth.
All-ceramic crowns are a little more expensive than silver alloys, and they are more liable to chip in the long run, but they give a much better appearance wherever in the mouth they are used. If you want your restored tooth to look as natural as possible, it’s worth investing the extra in ceramic.
All-Ceramic Crowns
All ceramic crowns, also known as all-porcelain, have the best natural appearance. They closely imitate the color and transparency of the enamel, achieving great aesthetic results. Because of this, they are one of the most popular alternatives for front teeth.
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
Combining the best of both worlds in a way, PFM crowns have a metal lining on the inside covered with ceramic on the outside. This gives them a balance of durability and affordability.
However, there is a likelihood that a thin metal line will be visible along the gumline, so these are usually not recommended for front teeth crowns.
What are the steps in a dental crown procedure?
The procedure usually takes two to three visits to our dental office to be completed.
There are several steps involved with placing a tooth crown:
Step 1 - Tooth preparation
First, your dentist will remove any decayed tissue. Then, she will shape the remaining tooth to be able to secure the crown on top. Your dentist may need to build up the tooth core with filling material to achieve the optimal shape.
Step 2 - Impression
These capture the exact shape of the tooth post so the crown can be precisely made to fit over the top.
Step 3 - Temporary crown
While the permanent crown is being made at our dental lab, you’ll have a temporary one to cover the tooth.
Step 4 - Permanent crown placement
Once the crown is ready, you’ll return to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed. The dentist will use strong dental cement to secure it in place, and will check your bite to ensure the new restoration is a good fit.
Selecting an experienced dentist for dental crown treatment in Everett, WA is crucial. Kavitha Gowda, DDS, and her team use modern techniques and technology to ensure your crown adds both comfort and a natural appearance.
Does it hurt to get a dental crown?
The procedure itself is conducted using an anesthetic and should be completely pain-free. The tooth may feel sore for a couple of days afterward, and the gum around the crown might be inflamed until it adjusts to the new tooth. You can take OTC painkillers if needed, and your dentist may give you anti-inflammatory medication.
How long do dental crowns last?
Crowned teeth can last for 10 or 20 years, but a lot depends on the type of crown and how well you care for it (and your oral health in general).
Caring for crowned teeth
To keep your crown in good condition for as long as possible, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, as a minimum. Pay special attention to cleaning around your crown.
You should also avoid eating very sticky or hard foods with your crowned teeth, since these can damage or dislodge the restoration.
Regular dental checkups will allow our team to check the health of your teeth and crown and let you know if you need to do anything differently.
When a crown does eventually fail, you may be able to have the tooth re-crowned. If it is no longer strong enough to support a crown, it may be necessary to extract it. In this case, we can discuss your tooth replacement options.
Book an appointment for affordable dental crowns in Everett, Washington
If you have a broken or severely decayed tooth, or an old filling that needs to be replaced, book an appointment at Perfect Smiles Dentistry to find out whether a dental crown would be a good solution. Dr. Gowda and her team of dentists in Everett, Washington, are dedicated to restoring your smile so you can eat and smile with confidence.
When you need dental services, trust Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, Washington, to provide you with the best local dentist care.
Contact us for all your dental needs, and let us maintain your oral health and smile with precision and compassion.