A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth severely damaged, discolored, or misshapen. At Valenta Dental, we place the crown, which is basically a cap, over a prepared tooth, completely covering it down to the gum line. Once in place, a crown restores the damaged tooth's strength, size, shape, and appearance. A crown also improves your ability to chew and speak properly. Furthermore, the crown protects the tooth from further damage.
Our dentist may recommend a crown for various reasons, such as restoring a tooth that has a large cavity or is cracked or broken. A crown may also be recommended to support a dental bridge or to serve as the visible prosthetic of an implant restoration for a missing tooth. Dental crowns are also used in cosmetic dentistry treatments to improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or crooked.
The Most Common Uses of Porcelain Crowns
Restore Damaged Teeth
If you’ve suffered from severe decay or trauma to your teeth, you may need a dental crown to restore the function and appearance of your natural teeth. A crown can also seal up the deep void left when a tooth is damaged, protecting it from further damage and keeping bacteria from causing infections.
Improve the Appearance of a Tooth
If your teeth are stained or discolored due to excessive smoking, certain medications, or age, then a dental crown can be used to improve the color of your teeth. When properly cared for, porcelain crowns are virtually indistinguishable from real teeth and can be color-matched to your natural smile.
Protect Weakened Teeth
You may be a good candidate for a dental crown if you have one or more weakened or damaged teeth. Placing a crown on a weak tooth protects it from further damage and improves the damaged tooth's appearance. Additionally, you can prevent other tooth loss by placing a crown over a damaged tooth.
The Procedure for Porcelain Crowns
Our dentist will first numb the area where the crown will be placed with local anesthetics. Then, they will remove any present decay and shape the tooth to make space for the new restoration. Once all the tooth structure that needs to be removed has been taken away and the area is prepped for a crown, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This will be sent to a laboratory to be the basis for creating a custom-made porcelain crown. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. Once your final mold is ready, you will return to our office to have it cemented into place.
In addition to restoring the appearance of your smile, dental crowns also improve the health of your teeth and may be needed to protect your remaining natural teeth. Visit Valenta Dental at 1838 Dunlap Ave, Marinette, WI 54143, or call (715) 735-5626 to see if a porcelain crown is right for you.
