Regaining Your Smile and Confidence With Dental Crowns

When you think of your smile, is it everything you want it to be? Are you happy to flash those pearly whites whenever one of your friends is ready to snap a selfie? Or are you more likely to offer a closed-lip smile, afraid to show what is underneath?

If your smile has been negatively impacted by tooth decay, restorative dentistry can give you your smile and confidence back. First, treating tooth decay is important for your oral health. And second, dental crowns are a great solution to restore your damaged tooth and help you feel like smiling again. 

In this article, we’ll talk about the top 5 reasons your smile might need a dental crown and what you should expect as far as the treatment process. Let’s get to it.

5 Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown

Dental crowns aren’t uncommon by any means. Here are some of the reasons you may benefit from them. After all, we believe you deserve a healthy and beautiful smile.

1. To Restore a Broken or Worn-Down Tooth

Over time, your teeth can wear down or break from grinding, trauma, or even just daily use. When a tooth loses significant enamel structure, it can become harder to chew or speak comfortably. A dental crown restores your tooth’s shape, size, and function by covering the portion above the gumline and providing a strong surface that can withstand biting pressure.

2. To Protect a Weakened Tooth

If a tooth is weakened by decay or large fillings, or if the tooth has had a root canal treatment, it’s at a higher risk of breaking. A dental crown protects the tooth from further damage by providing full coverage and support. By covering the entire visible portion of the tooth, the crown helps prevent future cracks, preserving the tooth’s remaining structure. This is especially important after a root canal, where the tooth may be more vulnerable due to the removal of infected tissue.

3. To Cover a Dental Implant

Dental implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, and the final step of the single-implant process is cementing a crown over the implant post. The crown is custom-made to match your surrounding teeth so that it looks natural while restoring full functionality. Once the implant is fully healed and integrated into the jawbone, your dentist will cement the crown in place to provide a permanent replacement for the lost tooth. 

4. To Improve Your Tooth’s Appearance 

Sometimes teeth become discolored or misshapen due to injury, wear, or genetics. In these cases, a dental crown offers immediate cosmetic enhancement by covering the visible portion of the tooth for a more uniform appearance. Crowns are always designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, giving your smile a more balanced look. 

5. To Anchor a Dental Bridge 

When your smile is missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge is a great way to fill the gap, and crowns play a key role in securing the bridge in place. A bridge relies on healthy neighboring teeth for support, and crowns attach over these anchor teeth to provide a stable foundation. These crowns make sure that the replacement teeth remain fixed, allowing you to chew and speak comfortably without worrying about shifting teeth or gaps. 

What To Expect During Your Dental Crown Appointment

Dentistry has come a long way, even just in the last several decades. Getting a dental crown today is much easier than you might expect. The process is simple and takes place over just one to two appointments, conveniently coordinated around your schedule and busy lifestyle. 

Here is what the process looks like.

Initial Consultation

During your first visit, Dr. Alhadef will evaluate the tooth and take any necessary X-rays to assess the extent of damage. This is when he will determine whether a crown is the best option for restoring the tooth. You’ll also discuss the materials available for your crown, such as porcelain or zirconia.

Tooth Preparation

To prepare the tooth, Dr. Alhadef will gently reshape it to make room for the crown. This involves trimming away any damaged or decayed areas while keeping as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Once the tooth is shaped, Dr. Alhadef will take an impression and either use it to mill your crown in-house, if you are receiving a CEREC same day crown, or send it out to a dental lab for crown fabrication.

Crown Fabrication

If the impressions of your tooth are sent to a dental lab, the lab technicians will create your custom crown. They will carefully craft the crown to fit the prepared tooth and blend with the rest of your smile in color and shape. In between your two appointments, we will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the final crown is ready.

Fitting and Adjustment

At your second appointment, Dr. Alhadef will take off the temporary crown and try your permanent crown on the prepared tooth. He will check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and bond the crown in place. Once the dental cement is set, your crown will feel like a natural part of your smile.

What To Do After Getting Your Dental Crown

As you can see from the process we outlined above, getting a dental crown is a straightforward process. And all you need to do to maintain your smile afterward is practice proper daily oral hygiene and pay a visit to us every six months for a dental cleaning and oral evaluation. 

Speaking of dental cleanings, is your next appointment on the calendar? If not, request your next appointment with Dr. Alhadef and the team at Dallas Cosmetic Dental today. We’re your local experts in restorative dentistry and love helping you keep your smile healthy.