Is your tooth severely broken, chipped, or misshapen? When your tooth is broken, our goal is to save the tooth’s foundational structure if possible. However, when a significant amount of the tooth’s enamel has been damaged, typical cosmetic procedures do not do the trick in restoring functionality. That’s why we offer dental crowns in Bountiful, UT, as a part of our restorative dentistry services. We believe in high-quality dental care to transform your smile.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a customized prosthetic tooth designed to sit like a cap over your existing tooth. Your existing tooth’s exterior is shaved down so the dental crown can fit securely over it. This allows you to keep the foundational structure of your natural tooth while getting the functionality and aesthetic appearance of a restored tooth.
Dental Crowns in Bountiful, UT
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile tools a dentist has. They’re able to take on a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental issues. Dr. Larsen may suggest a dental crown if you suffer from one of these dental concerns:
Covering a Misshapen or Discolored Tooth
A misshapen tooth can make that part of your smile seem out of place. You want to cover it up instead of showing it off. Depending on the defect and where the tooth is located in your mouth, you may also have trouble eating or speaking. Since a dental crown is customized to match the shape, size, and color of the rest of your teeth, it’ll blend right in and give you back full functionality.
While professional teeth whitening may be the most common way of getting a whiter smile, it doesn’t always work for the toughest staining. Things like genetics or medication can cause deeper stains that are hard to remove. A dental crown goes over the entire tooth like a cap, meaning the discoloration is completely hidden.
Stabilizing a Tooth
One of the most common uses for a dental crown is to stabilize a tooth after a root canal is performed. The infected material inside the tooth is removed and replaced with a biocompatible material. But this doesn’t always ensure the tooth is back to full functionality. A dental crown makes sure the tooth is stable and helps to seal it off from any further infection.
Repairing a Broken or Cracked Tooth
When a chip goes beyond cosmetic and into a break, it’s usually a case for emergency dentistry. A bad break exposes the nerves inside the tooth and can be extremely painful if things come into contact with it. A dental crown completely encompasses the tooth and replaces the part that’s broken off. It also allows you to have full use of your tooth without any pain.
Cracks can also have differing levels of severity. But when a tooth cracks, it usually exposes the dental pulp. This leaves it more prone to infection and needing a procedure like a root canal. If the crack is bad, the tooth may be fragmented into pieces. A dental crown can be used to hold those pieces together so that a tooth extraction doesn’t need to be performed.
The Dental Crown Process
The dental crown process is a multistep treatment that ensures a functional and long-lasting restoration. With this treatment, our goal is to help protect your tooth and restore your smile. The breakdown of each step in the process includes:
Initial Consultation and Examination
Your treatment begins with Dr. Larsen assessing the tooth that requires restoration. We may take X-rays to evaluate the roots and surrounding bone. X-rays help determine if you need a root canal or other treatment or just a crown.
Tooth Preparation
The next step is to numb the area to ensure comfort. Dr. Larsen will carefully reshape the tooth by filing down the sides and chewing surface to create space for the crown. If he removes a major portion of the tooth, Dr. Larsen will use a filling material to build up the tooth for crown support.
Impression Taking
After shaping the tooth, we will take impressions of the tooth and surrounding teeth. Dental impressions are crucial for creating a crown that fits your bite perfectly. We also use them to make your temporary crown.
Temporary Crown Placement
Creating a permanent crown can take one to three weeks. In the meantime, Dr. Larsen will place a temporary dental crown over the tooth. This is necessary to protect the tooth from damage and sensitivity.
Crown Fabrication
We will send the impression to a dental laboratory, where technicians craft your permanent crown from porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination. The color is matched to your natural teeth for a seamless look.
Crown Fitting and Cementation
Once the crown is ready, you return for a fitting. Dr. Larsen will remove the temporary crown and then check the fit and color of the permanent one. He will make adjustments and then cement the crown onto the tooth. The process is complete after a quick bite adjustment, and your restored tooth is ready for daily use.
Dental Crown FAQs
As a holistic dentist in Bountiful, UT, Dr. Larsen looks forward to providing you with a dental crown. Dental crowns are a great way to achieve both the restorative and cosmetic goals that patients have for their smiles. Here are some common questions we receive about our dental crown procedures:
Will it be obvious that I’ve gotten a dental crown?
No. Your dental crown is designed to fit into your mouth securely. We use dental impressions to ensure the prosthetic tooth fits snugly. Additionally, the crown is made of a material that closely resembles your natural teeth in its shine and luster. The crown is tooth-colored as well to ensure that it does not detract from your smile.
Does the dental crown procedure hurt?
You may experience some discomfort as your tooth is prepared for a dental crown. However, we use a local anesthetic on the affected tooth to ensure you aren’t in any pain. We also offer sedation dentistry options for patients who are especially nervous about their dental procedures. Dr. Larsen will happily recommend a sedative if you would like one.
Do dental crowns require any extra care?
No. As long as you practice good oral hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, your dental crown will not require any additional care.
How long will it take to get a dental crown?
You should expect 2-3 appointments in our office to complete the dental crown process. One appointment will include tooth preparation, dental impressions, and the placement of your temporary dental crown. Once we have the necessary impressions for your dental crown, our labs will begin making your permanent dental crown.
Once the crown is prepared, we will call you back to our office, remove the temporary restoration, and apply your permanent dental crown using dental cement.
What happens if my temporary crown falls off before my permanent crown is ready?
Your tooth may be a little sensitive due to the exposed dentin. We will happily reattach your temporary crown or make you a new one if necessary. Please contact our office as soon as you can so we can schedule you for our earliest appointment.
How long do dental crowns last?
A dental crown is considered a permanent dental restoration. If you’re taking proper care of your crown, it should last at least 15 years. Crowns can sometimes last 20 years or more. Be sure to brush and floss twice daily and continue to visit your dentist bi-annually.
Fix Your Tooth Today With A Custom Dental Crown in Bountiful, UT
If you are interested in determining if you need a dental crown or not, schedule an appointment with Dr. Larsen online or call Larsen Family Dental at 801-228-0155.