Are tooth chips and cracks making it uncomfortable for you to bite and chew? Do you have one or more teeth that need extra support? Dental crowns can help. Crowns are dental restorations made of porcelain, zirconium, or other materials that cover single teeth. They are used to restore teeth cosmetically while also restoring function to patients’ smiles.
A dental crown is a cap that can fully cover a tooth or dental restoration. At Integrated Dental, we provide customized dental crown treatment for patients in our Sarasota, FL, dental office.
What Can Dental Crowns Do?
Tooth crowns help to correct the following issues:
- Fractured, chipped, and cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Single dental implants
We often recommend dental crowns for patients who have particularly weakened enamel after root canal treatment. Dental crowns not only create a more stable bite but also offer strength to teeth. They are made from extremely durable materials that add strength to teeth that were otherwise weakening.
Inlays and Onlays
Known as partial crowns, inlays and onlays are tooth-colored restorations that cover different areas of the tooth than dental crowns. Inlays are similar to dental fillings because they cover the chewing surface of a tooth between the sides or cusps.
Onlays cover the chewing surface and the tooth cusps. Inlays and onlays may be made of porcelain or composite resin materials. We recommend materials matching natural teeth’s color for a seamless look. In most cases, patients cannot tell the difference between their natural teeth and their inlay or onlays. These restorations also provide added strength to the tooth structure.
Dental Crown Treatment in Sarasota, FL
We use Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC®) technology to create custom, same-day dental crowns. This means we can take digital dental impressions, design custom crowns, and mill the restoration in our office. This can all be done in one appointment, as opposed to older methods where we would send impressions to a dental lab for crowns to be created in a process that may take up to three weeks. CEREC technology uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
To begin treatment, we take a digital impression of your smile using a handheld scanner. This scanner creates a 3-D image of the teeth and gums on our computer screen. The image creates an accurate picture of the smile. Then, the computer-aided design software highlights areas on the 3-D model that require restoration. Using this technology we can also show patients what their smiles will look like once the crown is placed.
The CEREC milling machine then creates the crown from a ceramic block according to the computer’s specifications. Once we ensure that the crown is the correct shape and shade, we cement the restoration onto the tooth. Crowns are a permanent restoration, however, they can be removed if absolutely necessary.
Post-Operative Care: Dental Crowns
To keep your crowns healthy and intact, follow these tips:
- Eat Soft Foods: Avoid crunchy, hard, or sticky foods that can dislodge your new crown. Damaging or dislodging the crown over a tooth or implant can also introduce harmful bacteria to the teeth and gums.
- Continue Your Oral Hygiene Routine: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your crown and natural teeth gently. Avoid using certain kinds of toothpaste, particularly whitening toothpaste, that contain abrasive materials.
- Contact Our Office If Needed: If you notice your crown coming loose, sensitivity to sweet foods, or damage to your restoration, call Integrated Dental.
Receive Dental Crowns Today
We encourage you to call us if you have any questions about dental crown care and treatment. You may schedule a dental appointment with our team on our website or call Integrated Dental at 941-270-9755. We’re here to provide you with restorations that look and function naturally and last for years to come.