Dental Crowns – Ramsey, NJ
Lasting Repairs for Your Damaged Teeth
Even if you act carefully, strong teeth can still get damaged. They may suffer tooth decay, develop a chip or crack from an accident, and so on. The bright side is that dentistry can repair this harm. At AV Dental Associates of Ramsey, our team offers strong and beautiful dental crowns. These small and special caps will restore and enhance your teeth. Our office can even tell you more about them. So, please keep reading or schedule a visit for details.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a covering or “cap” for a damaged tooth, designed to fit snugly and cover up the harmed area. It’s meant to work as a shield that restores your tooth’s function and looks. For that reason, crowns are often made from porcelain, zirconia, and E-max.
Due to the above, the best candidates for dental crowns have one (or more) of the following:
- A Tooth Damaged by a Metallic Filling
- Unfillable Cavities
- A Cracked or Broken Tooth
- Teeth Worn Down By Bruxism
- A Tooth That Received Root Canal Therapy
Of course, seeing Dr. Vahid is the best way to confirm your candidacy. They can perform an oral exam and assess your tooth (or teeth). From there, they’ll determine if dental crown treatment would help.
The Dental Crown Process
It usually takes two dental visits (at least) to get dental crowns. Those sessions consist of three major steps: consultation, prep work, and final placement.
The first step of our crown process is a consultation with Dr. Vahid. For this talk, you’ll explain your smile goals, oral health needs, and medical history. Dr. Vahid will then use these details (along with an oral exam) to settle on a suitable treatment plan. For example, the discussion may show that you need preventive work before you can get a dental crown.
With Dr. Vahid’s approval, we’ll prep your tooth for its crown right after the consultation. This work removes bits of enamel so that the prosthetic lays flush with adjacent teeth. Once it's done, Dr. Vahid will take a dental impression that’s used to make the final crown. This crafting phase takes a few weeks, so you’ll wear a temporary restoration in the meantime.
You’ll attend the second visit when your final restoration is ready. At that time, we’ll place your crown precisely and ensure it fits well. We’ll then explain how best to care for it.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
If a damaged tooth goes unprotected, it’ll cause severe oral problems. However, a dental crown prevents such issues due to its benefits. These upsides are:
- Tooth Protection – Due to their high durability, dental crowns protect teeth from further damage and decay. That means you can avoid needing root canals or tooth extractions later.
- A Gorgeous Grin – Our office uses tooth-colored materials for its dental crowns. Given that fact, your treatment results will blend seamlessly with your smile.
- Versatility – A dental crown covers the whole top portion of a tooth so that it can fix many oral problems. These range from cavities and chips to large breaks and fractures.
- Enduring Results – A dental crown can last over 15 years with proper care. With that said, make sure to brush, floss, and rinse daily!
Dental Crown FAQs
What are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns can be made from several different materials depending on the aesthetic results you’re looking for and how durable you want the restoration to be. While some patients may opt for metal (silver) crowns due to their lower price tag, these aren’t always the best long-term and aesthetic option, as they highlight the treated tooth whenever you smile or speak.
Dr. Vahid utilizes high-quality, natural-looking materials like zirconia, porcelain, and ceramic to offer results that not only can boost your confidence and look great, but that also last for 15+ years with routine maintenance.
How long do dental crowns last?
How long your dental crown lasts can depend on multiple different factors, including your dental hygiene habits, oral habits (like smoking, teeth grinding, etc.), and the material it’s made out of. However, typically, non-metal crowns, like the ones that Dr. Vahid offers, can last for between five and 20 years. Zirconia is one of the most durable materials that we use and tends to have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, although it can last for over 20 with routine cleanings and good at-home oral hygiene.
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
Before we begin preparing your tooth for the dental crown, our team will numb the area so you won’t feel any pain. You’ll likely just feel a sensation of pressure as we remove a small layer of your tooth’s enamel. This will allow your permanent crown to lay flush with your surrounding teeth and flawlessly blend in with the rest of your smile.
Do dental crowns feel natural?
While your dental crown may feel unnatural and a little uncomfortable when it’s first placed onto your tooth, this sensation will fade within about a week. Once it does, your restoration will feel like a natural part of your oral anatomy, and you’ll likely forget that it’s there!
What foods can I eat with a temporary crown?
After your tooth is prepared, you’ll need to wear a temporary crown for a couple of weeks until we get your permanent crown from the dental laboratory. During this time, you’ll need to be careful with what you eat, how hard you brush, etc. It’s best to avoid foods that are very hot or cold, as this could heighten your dental sensitivity, or those that are hard or sticky that could easily damage your temporary crown. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our team.