How to Get Dental Crowns That Look and Feel Like Real Teeth
Do you have a tooth that has suffered a fair amount of damage? If so, you may be an ideal candidate to receive a dental crown. A very common dental procedure, dental crowns are used to return proper oral function and a natural look to the smile after oral damage. When a tooth is damaged beyond the point of what a simple filling, inlay, or onlay restoration can repair, it may be time to consider the solution of a dental crown.
Dental crowns, also referred to as “caps,” fully cover the visible portion of a tooth, known as the “crown.” These restorations are custom-made of porcelain material and fit over the remaining tooth structure while appearing to arise naturally from the gumline, just like real teeth. In fact, when created at the hands of a highly skilled dentist like those at SmilesNY Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, dental crowns are nearly indistinguishable and blend evenly within the smile. The team at SmilesNY has been placing high-quality dental crowns from our New York City, NY practice for decades and is pleased to provide the following information on how we go about creating dental crowns that look and feel just like real teeth.
Common Reasons for Getting Dental Crowns:
Dental crowns are used to rebuild, strengthen, and restore teeth that have suffered several different types of damage. The most common reasons for having a crown placed are to bring a natural appearance and function back to:
Broken teeth
Cracked teeth
Worn-down teeth
Teeth with large cavities
Root canal-treated teeth
Teeth with large fillings
Misshapen teeth
Discolored teeth
Restore dental implants for missing teeth
The Dental Crowns Process Explained
While you might have heard the term “dental crown,” you may have a vague understanding of how this type of dental restoration is actually placed. A dental crown is typically placed in two dental visits. During the first appointment, our experienced dentists use the latest in dental technology to remove any decayed or damaged areas of tooth structure. The tooth is then built up and strengthened internally with a special material and an impression of the tooth is taken. A temporary crown is placed to allow for normal appearance and functional abilities while the final crown is being made. The impression (or mold) of the prepared tooth is then sent off to one of our partner labs, along with specific instructions from our team on the type of material to use to craft the crown and characteristics to be added to the outside surface. Together, these instructions enable the lab to create a final crown restoration that looks and feels very much like a real tooth.
Crowns can be fabricated of an array of dental materials, from porcelain to high-noble metals, and even porcelain-fused-to-metal. Dental crowns from SmilesNY Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry are often made of all-porcelain, metal-free material, which features a natural look and feel yet still offers strength and durability. About 1 – 2 weeks later, once the crown arrives back in our office, a second visit is scheduled to seat and bond the crown in place. The crown is then adjusted as needed for a comfortable and even bite.
Placing Dental Implant Crowns
Our talented dental team at SmilesNY offers dental crowns to New York City, NY patients to restore damaged teeth and bring a healthy, attractive appearance back to the smile. But we also custom-craft implant crowns to complete a single dental implant tooth replacement procedure. The process for making an implant crown is similar to that of a traditional crown, except that the implant crown is screwed or bonded onto a dental implant that has been surgically placed within the jawbone where a tooth has been lost.
Choose the Right Team for Natural-Looking Dental Crowns
When it comes to choosing a dentist for your dental crowns, it is important to select a professional who is dedicated to providing the best possible results for your smile and dental health. At SmilesNY, our elite team uses the latest in techniques and top-grade materials to create customized crowns that look and feel like natural tooth structure. We are pleased to offer our decades of experience in crown restorations, our attention to detail, and our commitment to providing personalized care in meeting the needs of all New York City, NY patients we are privileged to treat.
Have a Damaged Tooth? See if a Dental Crown Can Help
If you have a tooth that is significantly damaged, decayed, or looks unappealing in your smile, a dental crown might be the right treatment option for you. Crowns not only bring a natural-looking quality of beauty to your appearance, though. These restorations also restore the ability to bite, chew, and speak properly, all with greater comfort. When treated with proper dental care and attention, and created by an expert team of dentists, dental crowns can last for many years. Get in touch with SmilesNY Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in New York City, NY today and schedule your visit to learn if a crown is right for you. Partnering with our renowned dentists can have you loving your smile and bringing a natural look and feel back to your tooth with high-quality dental solutions.