Your teeth do a lot for you. They help you bite, chew, speak clearly, and make your smile look great. If one of your teeth is damaged or missing, it can affect your dental health and your confidence.
At Advanced Dental Associates, we offer dental crowns to fix damaged teeth. Dental crowns are a type of restorative treatment we provide in San Antonio. These crowns consist of ceramic or porcelain, a material that makes them look just like real teeth.
Our crowns can repair stained, chipped, cracked, worn, or weak teeth. They can also cap off dental implants to replace lost teeth. Visit our San Antonio dentists for an exam and treatment today.
What is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain crown is a fake tooth made from high-quality porcelain. It gets put over a natural tooth or dental implant to fix its shape and function. Porcelain crowns are strong and keep your tooth safe from more damage. They also make sure your bite stays healthy after the dentist fixes a broken or decayed tooth after a root canal.
Our office uses CEREC technology to create same-day dental crowns. Most of the time, getting a crown is something you can do in just a day.
Getting Dental Crowns in San Antonio, TX
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology has changed the way we make and place dental crowns. Now we can do it all in just one visit instead of having you come back many times and wait for a dental lab.
Step 1: Initial Evaluation
The process begins with a visit to our dentists for an exam. We will examine your mouth to see if a crown is the right choice for your issue. They can restore damaged, decayed, or weakened teeth. They are also the next step after getting a root canal.
We may take X-rays to check the condition of the tooth and the surrounding bone. If the tooth has severe decay or damage, we might suggest additional treatments.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
The next step is to prepare your tooth. Our dentist will remove any damaged or decayed portions of the tooth and reshape it to make room for the crown. The goal is to make sure that it will fit snugly and look normal so it doesn’t stand out. During this step, we will use local anesthesia to numb the area and make sure you’re comfortable.
Step 3: Digital Impressions
Our dentist will use a CEREC scanner to take digital impressions of your tooth. The scanner captures detailed 3D images of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These digital impressions are fast, precise, and more comfortable for patients. It’s much better than traditional impressions involving messy molds.
Step 4: Designing the Crown
Next, we transfer the digital impressions to a computer, where the dentist will design your new custom crown. The CEREC software allows the dentist to create a crown that fits perfectly and matches your natural tooth’s size, shape, and color. This design process happens chairside, so you can see how your new crown will look before we place it.
Step 5: Milling the Crown
Once the design is complete, our milling machine will start building the final restoration. The CEREC milling machine uses a block of ceramic material to carve out your crown. This step typically takes about 15-30 minutes. The ceramic will match the color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless appearance.
Step 6: Fitting and Placement
When the crown is ready, the dentist checks its fit and how it looks on you. If we need to make adjustments, we will make them immediately. Once everything is perfect, the dentist bonds it to your prepared tooth using a strong dental adhesive. We will polish the crown and make sure it blends with your surrounding teeth, and check if your bite is comfortable.
The Many Uses of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most important tools a dentist has. They treat various restorative and cosmetic issues.
Cosmetic Fixes
Professional teeth whitening is usually the go-to for fixing discolored teeth. However, some types of discoloration won’t budge with regular treatments. Things like medication and trauma may need a different approach.
That’s where dental crowns come in. We can match its color to any shade of white you want, covering your entire tooth to hide any stubborn stains.
Deformed or misshapen teeth can make you feel insecure. But they can also have impacts on the function of your smile. Each tooth has a specific purpose. You might not be able to break down and chew your food properly, or you might speak with a lisp when you have a deformed tooth.
Strengthening Your Natural Teeth
Dentists commonly use crowns to strengthen teeth after a root canal. During this procedure, we remove infected dental pulp, refill it with a safe material, and seal it off. Sometimes this doesn’t fully restore function to the tooth, so a crown can help with that. It also provides extra protection against bacteria and infection.
Traditional dental bridges can put a lot of strain on the natural teeth used as anchors. This can cause wear and tear and increase the risk of decay or damage. By using dental crowns to support the anchor teeth, the pressure shifts away from the natural tooth structure.
Treating Tooth Decay and Damage
Dental crowns are often the last resort when dealing with severe decay and damage. Cavities can eat away at a lot of your tooth, leaving it weak and vulnerable. A crown replaces the missing tooth structure and keeps the rest of the tooth safe from more decay.
Cracked or broken teeth can also be a big problem. While small chips might not seem like a big deal, bigger cracks can expose the inside of your tooth.
It can cause pain and making it more likely to get an infection. A broken tooth can even leave sharp edges that might cut your tongue, cheeks, or lips. Crowns help by covering and protecting damaged teeth, so you can avoid these risks.
Dental Crown Benefits
Crowns not only fix dental issues but also offer special advantages that lead to instant results.
Durable Protection for Everyday Use
Dental crowns are built to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. They resist cracking, chipping, and discoloration. This resilience ensures that crowns provide reliable support, even for those who frequently chew tough or hard foods. With proper care, they can last 10-15 years or more.
Custom Fit and Natural Appearance
A major advantage of dental crowns is their ability to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Each crown is custom-designed to match the size, shape, and color of the surrounding teeth. This attention to detail ensures the restoration looks natural and enhances your smile. Modern crowns mimic the light-reflecting properties of real enamel so they aren’t noticeable.
Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem
Having great looking teeth can make a big difference in how confident you feel. Dental crowns can help improve your smile and boost your self-esteem. Whether you’re getting ready for a job interview or just want to feel good every day, we can give you that confidence boost you need.
Enhanced Comfort and Functionality
Dental crowns not only improve the look of your teeth but also make them feel and function better. When a tooth feels uneven or sensitive, a crown can create a smooth, comfortable surface that aligns with your bite. This makes chewing, speaking, and smiling easier and more natural. They offer lasting comfort and a precise fit, tailored to your unique needs.
Prevention of Future Problems
Crowns are a safeguard by protecting the tooth from future damage or wear. This benefit reduces the likelihood of needing additional dental procedures down the line. Crowns also help maintain proper spacing between teeth. This prevents issues like shifting or misalignment.
Streamlined Treatment Options
With advancements in dental technology, our dentists can place dental crowns in a single visit using CEREC. This means no temporary crowns, fewer appointments, and faster results.
A Long-Term Investment in Oral Health
Dental crowns offer a strong and lasting solution that supports your oral health for years. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your crown can remain in excellent condition.
We also offer dental veneers, teeth whitening, and other cosmetic treatments! Ask about these during your visit. Call us at new_patient_phone] to schedule an appointment, and find the best treatment for you.