Are your teeth chipped, stained, or uneven? Dental crowns are one of the restorative treatments we offer at Flax Dental in Sandy Springs, GA, to restore damaged teeth. If you’re not happy with how your teeth look, crowns can be a great choice. They can fix most types of tooth damage and protect teeth after a root canal.
At Flax Dental, Dr. Hugh Flax uses advanced techniques to create crowns that look natural. Keep reading to learn more about how dental crowns work and how they can help your smile.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are caps that go over a damaged tooth to bring back its shape, size, strength, and look. Dr. Flax uses high-quality porcelain to make each crown look like a natural part of your smile. Each one is custom-made to blend in with your other teeth.
Crowns are useful for teeth that are:
- Broken or severely damaged
- Badly decayed
- Weakened by large fillings or root canals
- Discolored or oddly shaped
- Needed to support a dental bridge
The crown covers the tooth all the way down to the gum line, restoring its original shape and size. Dr. Flax cements each crown in place, making it a strong, lasting part of your mouth.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Dr. Flax recommends dental crowns to treat many different dental issues. They offer a way to restore or replace teeth, helping you keep a healthy and complete smile. Here are some common reasons to get a crown:
- Severely Damaged Teeth: A crown can rebuild a broken or cracked tooth. If there’s too much decay for a filling to fix, a crown can cover and protect the tooth from further damage.
- To Protect a Root Canal Tooth: Teeth become weaker and more likely to crack after a root canal. A crown adds strength and prevents further issues.
- For Dental Implants: Crowns are used to complete implant treatments by capping a dental implant. They replace missing teeth and blend in with your natural teeth.
- Worn-Down Teeth: Grinding or chewing can wear down teeth over time. This wear can cause pain or make your bite uneven. Crowns help rebuild these worn-down teeth to their original shape.
- Strengthen Weak Teeth: Teeth can weaken due to large cavities, cracks, or past dental work. Weak teeth are more likely to break, but crowns provide extra support and strength.
- Cosmetic Improvements: Crowns cover teeth with deep stains that don’t respond to whitening. They also restore chipped, uneven, or oddly shaped teeth, giving your smile a more natural look.
- Support for Dental Bridges: Crowns support dental bridges, sitting on either side of a missing tooth to hold a bridge in place.
The Dental Crown Process at Flax Dental
Before starting a crown treatment, Dr. Flax will take detailed X-rays of your teeth and gums and review your dental history. If you have issues like gum disease or cavities, we will treat those first to ensure your mouth is healthy. Once everything is in good shape, we can start the crown process:
Preparation Appointment
Dr. Flax begins by numbing the area around the tooth needing the crown. He then cleans the tooth and removes any damaged parts. The tooth surface is smoothed and prepared for the crown. Dr. Flax will then take impressions of the tooth to ensure the crown fits just right.
Custom Design and Creation
Our lab team uses the impressions to design a custom-fit crown. Using advanced technology, they create a durable, natural-looking crown. This process usually takes a few weeks. While your permanent crown is being made, we may place a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
Final Placement Appointment
Once your permanent crown is ready, Dr. Flax will remove the temporary crown and fit the custom crown onto your tooth. He’ll check the fit, shape, color, and bite to ensure it looks and feels natural. Finally, he cements the crown in place, completing your restoration.
With a dental crown, you can protect damaged teeth, improve your smile, and regain confidence. Dr. Flax and our team at Flax Dental are here to make the process smooth and stress-free, using high-quality materials and the latest techniques. Contact our Sandy Springs office to learn more about how crowns can help you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
Taking good care of your dental crown will help it last for years. By keeping up with daily oral hygiene and being careful when you eat, you can protect your crown and keep it looking great. Here are some simple tips from Dr. Flax to help you take care of your dental crown:
- Brush and Floss Gently: When brushing around your crown, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush carefully to remove any plaque or food. Floss at least once a day, but avoid pulling too hard around the crown to keep it secure.
- Watch What You Chew: Try not to bite down on very hard, sticky, or crunchy foods like nuts, hard candy, or ice. These foods can loosen or damage your crown. If you do eat them, try to chew on the other side of your mouth.
- Wear a Mouthguard if You Grind Your Teeth: Grinding your teeth, especially at night, can put pressure on your crown and cause it to crack. If you grind your teeth, wearing a mouthguard can help protect both your crown and your natural teeth.
- Visit Dr. Flax Regularly: Plan to see Dr. Flax every six months for check-ups and cleanings. Regular visits keep your crown and overall oral health in top shape. If you notice any problems, like the crown feeling loose or causing discomfort, contact Dr. Flax right away to avoid further issues.
Common Questions About Dental Crowns
If you’re considering a dental crown or already have one, here are answers to some questions that may come up:
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
No, getting a crown shouldn’t be painful. The dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Afterward, you might feel a little sore, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and gentle care.
How do I know if I need a crown or just a filling?
Crowns and fillings are used for different types of repairs. Fillings work well for small cavities, where only a small part of the tooth has decay. The dentist removes the decayed part and fills in the space.
Crowns, on the other hand, are used to cover and protect a tooth that is too damaged for a simple filling. This includes teeth that are cracked, fractured, or weakened by large fillings or trauma.
Will my dental crown look natural?
Yes, modern dental crowns are made to look very similar to natural teeth. Dentists match the color, shape, and size of the crown to blend in with your other teeth. Porcelain crowns, in particular, reflect light much like natural teeth, so they look seamless in your smile.
Can I whiten my dental crown?
Dental crowns cannot be whitened because they are made from materials that don’t respond to whitening. However, if you want a brighter smile, you can whiten your natural teeth. Ask your dentist about whitening options that will match the shade of your crown.
Why Choose Flax Dental for Your Crowns?
Flax Dental in Sandy Springs is known for its high-quality cosmetic dental work. Dr. Hugh Flax, author of A Smile is Always in Style, is an experienced dentist who specializes in creating natural-looking crowns. Dr. Flax uses advanced tools, like intraoral scanners, to make sure each crown is a perfect fit and blends naturally with your teeth.
At Flax Dental, our team understands how important your smile is to you. We take time to learn about your specific goals and use the latest techniques to deliver lasting results. If you’re ready to improve your smile, give us a call at 470-635-3604 or request a consultation online at Flax Dental.