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 overall 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 and can repair stained, chipped, cracked, worn, or weak teeth. They can also cap off dental implants.
What is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain crown is a fake tooth made from high-quality porcelain. It is placed over a natural tooth or a dental implant to restore shape and function. Porcelain crowns are durable and help protect the underlying tooth from further damage. They also keep your bite healthy after a dentist repairs a damaged or decayed tooth.
Our office utilizes CEREC technology to create dental crowns right in our dentist office. In most cases, getting a dental crown can be a one-day process.
Getting Dental Crowns in San Antonio, TX
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology has revolutionized the way dental crowns are made and placed. We can place crowns on the same day instead of requiring multiple visits and a dental lab.
Step 1: Initial Evaluation
The process begins with a visit to your dentist for an evaluation. The dentist examines your tooth to determine if a crown is the right solution for your dental issue. Crowns are typically used to restore teeth damaged, decayed, or weakened by a root canal. Your dentist may take X-rays to check the condition of the tooth and the surrounding bone. If the tooth has severe decay or damage, additional treatments, such as a root canal, may be needed before placing the crown.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
Once the dentist decides to proceed, they prepare your tooth for the crown. This involves removing any damaged or decayed portions of the tooth and reshaping it to make room for the crown. The goal is to ensure the crown will fit snugly and restore the tooth’s shape and function. During this step, your dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the area so you feel comfortable.
Step 3: Digital Impressions
Instead of traditional impressions involving messy molds, the dentist uses 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.
Step 4: Designing the Crown
The digital impressions are transferred to a computer, where the dentist uses CEREC software to design your custom crown. The software allows the dentist to create a crown that fits perfectly and matches your natural teeth’s size, shape, and color. This design process happens chairside so you can see how your new crown will look.
Step 5: Milling the Crown
Once the design is complete, the information is sent to a milling machine in the dental office. 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 is carefully selected to match the color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless appearance.
Step 6: Fitting and Placement
After the crown is milled, the dentist checks its fit and appearance. If adjustments are needed, they are made immediately. Once everything is perfect, the dentist bonds the crown to your prepared tooth using a strong dental adhesive. The crown is polished to blend with your surrounding teeth, and your bite is checked to ensure comfort and functionality.
The 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
Usually, professional teeth whitening is the solution to correct discolored teeth. However, some types of discoloration don’t respond to traditional treatment methods. Things like medication and trauma cause deep discoloration that requires something else. We can color-match a dental crown to whatever shade of white you desire. It covers your entire tooth so that it completely hides any discoloration.
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 may not be able to break down and chew your food properly, or you may speak with a lisp when you have a deformed tooth. We create dental crowns to be shaped like one of your normal natural teeth, restoring the full look and function.
Strengthening Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses of dental crowns is to stabilize a tooth after a root canal. During this procedure, we remove infected dental pulp from the center of your tooth, refilling it with a biocompatible material and sealing it off. However, this doesn’t always give you back full function. To ensure you get full functionality of your tooth back, we can use a crown. It also further seals off the tooth from bacteria and another infection.
When you get a traditional dental bridge, the natural teeth on either side of the span are used as anchor teeth for the restoration. This puts a lot of wear and tear on those teeth. They wear down faster than others and are more susceptible to tooth decay and damage. If we use dental crowns to support the anchor teeth, the crown takes on the brunt of the pressure of supporting the bridge, preserving the natural tooth structure.
Treating Tooth Decay and Damage
Dental crowns are often the last resort when it comes to severe decay and damage. Tooth decay can eat away large chunks of your tooth structure. A dental crown replaces the tooth structure that’s been eaten away, protecting other parts of your tooth from further decay.
Tooth chips or breaks can be mild, but severe ones can cause further danger. A large crack or break in your tooth can expose the sensitive dental pulp inside your tooth, causing pain and increasing the likelihood of infection. A broken tooth can also cause sharp edges, risking you cutting the inside of your cheeks, lips, and other soft tissue in your mouth.
Dental Crown Benefits
Beyond their role in addressing dental problems, crowns provide unique benefits that contribute to both immediate results and long-term satisfaction.
Durable Protection for Everyday Use
Dental crowns are built to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Made from durable materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys, 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, making them a worthwhile investment in your dental health.
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 crown materials, such as porcelain, mimic the light-reflecting properties of real enamel, making them nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem
For many people, the appearance of their teeth significantly impacts their confidence. Dental crowns can restore or improve your smile, giving you a renewed sense of self-assurance. Whether it’s for a job interview, a social event, or simply feeling comfortable in your day-to-day life, crowns help you feel more confident about how your smile looks.
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. Unlike temporary fixes, crowns offer lasting comfort and a precise fit, tailored to your unique needs.
Prevention of Future Problems
Crowns are more than a solution—they’re a safeguard. By covering and reinforcing a tooth, a crown helps protect it from future damage or wear. This proactive benefit reduces the likelihood of needing additional dental procedures down the line. Crowns also help maintain proper spacing between teeth, preventing issues like shifting or misalignment, which can lead to bite problems or jaw discomfort.
Streamlined Treatment Options
With advancements in dental technology, crowns can now be placed in a single visit using CEREC systems. This means no temporary crowns, fewer appointments, and faster results, saving time and providing convenience for busy individuals.
A Long-Term Investment in Oral Health
Dental crowns are designed to last, offering a durable and stable solution that supports your oral health for years. With routine care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your crown can remain in excellent condition, ensuring your smile stays healthy and beautiful.
We also offer dental veneers, teeth whitening, and other cosmetic treatments! Ask about these during your visit. Call us at 210-361-6847 to make an appointment and determine the best treatment for you.