Porcelain Crowns: The Treatment Process
A root canal, an injury, tooth decay - there are many reasons why you may find yourself in need of a dental treatment where a crown is necessary. But not all dental crowns are equal; as technology has advanced, your choices for dental crowns have expanded greatly to include crowns that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional.
Drs. Eugene D. Stanislaus and Lisa Reid at Brooklyn Heights Dental offer cosmetic dentistry treatments such as dental crowns to patients at their Brooklyn practice. For many, porcelain crowns are the perfect treatment option to restore a beautiful and healthy looking smile.
What Are Porcelain Crowns?
Much like any other type of dental crown, porcelain crowns are thin shells that can be used to reinforce an existing tooth or replace a missing tooth in conjunction with a dental implant. Unlike other types of dental crowns, such as those made of metal alloy, porcelain crowns are preferred due to their natural look and feel that allows them to blend in perfectly with a patient’s existing teeth.
What Is the Treatment Process for Porcelain Dental Crowns?
The treatment process for having porcelain crowns placed is fairly straightforward, with long lasting and beautiful results.
If the porcelain crown will be capping a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury, that tooth must first be repaired. If the tooth has undergone a root canal, it should be filled in order to ensure that the tooth is sturdy enough to support the porcelain cap.
Once the patient is otherwise ready, impressions will be taken of the mouth in order to custom mold a porcelain crown that will be a perfect fit for the tooth in question, as well as its surrounding dental structures. Your cosmetic dentist can also have a tooth designed in a color to match surrounding teeth so that it will appear natural. While this tooth is being designed and produced at a dental lab, the patient will be fitted with a temporary crown.
Once the permanent crown is produced and ready for placement, the patient will come back in for a second appointment. At this appointment, the patient will usually receive local anesthesia to numb the tooth. Then the temporary crown will be removed, and the new crown will be permanently bonded in its place.
Directly after having this permanent porcelain crown placed, your dentist will most likely ask you to refrain from chewing especially hard or sticky foods for a few days. These types of foods can dislodge a crown that has not had ample time to set. By following these instructions, you can drastically cut down on the risk of damaging your porcelain crown straight out of the gate.
Contact Your Cosmetic Dentistry Practice Today
With their natural look and feel, it’s no wonder why porcelain crowns have become the preferred choice over traditional metal alloy crowns for tooth repair and replacement. Whether you are suffering from a damaged or missing tooth, or are looking to replace a current dental crown, now is the time to talk to your cosmetic dentist about porcelain crowns. Contact the knowledgeable team at Brooklyn Heights Dental to schedule an appointment and learn more about porcelain dental crowns today.
