If a filling isn’t enough to repair decay, or when you are missing one or more teeth, a dental crown can be used to rebuild structure or complete the smile. A form of restorative dentistry, a dental crown is a cap that fits securely over your natural tooth or dental implant. Crowns can be expected to last for a long time — sometimes up to 30 years — and those that are made out of dental ceramic or porcelain restore the natural beauty of the teeth that show when you smile, too. For teeth in the back of the smile, which incur more force from chewing, metal or gold alloys are usually preferred. Our Fort Lauderdale dentist, Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski, has over 15 years of experience in restorative dentistry and will perform a thorough examination to determine if a dental crown is ideal for you.
When are dental crowns needed?
Dental crowns can be used when decay is so severe that large pieces of the tooth must be removed, when large or deep cavities threaten the tooth’s health, or for holding together broken teeth. A sturdy dental crown can also keep a cracked tooth from totally breaking. They are often the last step in a root canal, and can also be used to restore a dental implant in single tooth replacement.
HOW ARE DENTAL CROWNS PLACED?
To place a crown, we will need to remove tooth enamel to make room for the restorative cap that fits on top. Pearl White Dentistry is one of the only offices in the Fort Lauderdale area that uses advanced digital scanning to build the blueprint for your new crown. 3D scanning is far more comfortable for you, and leads to better results overall. The procedure for a dental crown is carried out over two visits to our office, and you wear a temporary crown in the time between.
DENTAL CROWN MAINTENANCE: EXTENDING THE LIFE OF YOUR CROWN
Although crowns typically last from 5 to 30 years, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene to both maintain the crown’s health and extend its lifespan. You can keep your crown intact and prevent premature replacement by brushing and flossing vigilantly, being careful to eradicate plaque buildup around the base of the crown, and by undergoing dental checkups and cleanings every six months. Also, be careful when eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could cause the crown to break or become dislodged. You can expect your crown to last for many years with proper care and routine visits to your dentist’s office. If your crown becomes loose, breaks, or causes discomfort, please contact us as soon as possible for a replacement.
ARE DENTAL CROWNS RIGHT FOR YOU? SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR FORT LAUDERDALE DENTIST TO FIND OUT
To learn more about dental crowns and determine if they are right for you, call Pearl White Dentistry’s Fort Lauderdale office to schedule an appointment at (954) 491-8812 or contact us online. Dr. Natalia also welcomes patients from Pompano Beach, Plantation, and Hollywood, FL.
