How Porcelain Crowns Can Benefit You?
When living with a damaged tooth, performing ordinary activities, such as eating and talking, can be difficult. It can impact how you look, feel, and even interact with others. Fortunately, dental experts can help you achieve a healthier, more attractive smile again with a porcelain dental crown. Porcelain crowns in Peoria look and feel like natural teeth and are a convenient, permanent, restorative dental care option that is highly effective at enhancing the appearance and function of missing teeth. Let's explore everything you should know about how porcelain dental crowns could benefit.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a thin "cap" covering a damaged tooth's surface to restore its appearance, strength, and ability to function correctly. Dental crowns can be fabricated from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or both. While metal crowns are known for their strength and durability, porcelain crowns are commonly preferred for their natural appearance, especially for front or visible teeth.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
A dentist may recommend that a person get a dental crown for many reasons. Some of these include:
- An extensive cavity that cannot be filled
- A fractured, damaged, or cracked tooth
- A weak tooth that is prone to experiencing further damage
- A severely discolored or misshapen tooth
- A tooth that has undergone a recent root canal or dental implant procedure.
The Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
If you are suffering from the adverse effects of living with a damaged smile, you know how debilitating it can be. Fortunately, a porcelain crown can help improve your quality of life by:
- Enhancing the beauty of your smile
- Protecting a weak tooth
- Alleviate discomfort caused by a missing or damaged tooth
- Providing a durable, permanent, comfortable replacement for a missing or damaged tooth
- Improving your self-esteem
A porcelain dental crown could be an invaluable investment in oral and overall health. By strengthening and protecting your smile with a natural-looking porcelain crown, you'll be able to maintain good oral hygiene for years to come.
Porcelain Crown Procedures: What to Expect
Placing a porcelain dental crown will require two separate appointments for most patients. During the first appointment, the following will occur:
- X-rays will be taken of your mouth.
- The damaged tooth will be carefully filed down to accommodate the dental crown.
- An appearance of your tooth will be taken and sent to the lab to construct your dental crown.
- A temporary crown will be positioned in your mouth while your permanent crown is being made.
After two to three weeks, you will return to dental office for the second part of your procedure, at which the following will occur:
- The temporary crown will be removed.
- The dentist will ensure that the permanent crown matches the appearance of your other natural teeth.
- The enduring crown will be cemented into place.
You should be completely numb during both procedures and not feel anything. Any discomfort you experience once your procedures are over should be manageable with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Tylenol.
How to Care for Your Porcelain Crown
Your porcelain crown should be as easy and suitable to care for as your natural teeth. While this is true, you must practice good oral hygiene regularly to help your crown last for up to 15 years. Some ways to do so include:
- Brushing and flossing thoroughly two times a day
- Visiting the dentist in Peoria every six months (or as recommended) for routine checkups and cleanings
- Not chewing hard items, such as ice or the backs of pencils
Conclusion
Dental crowns offer a safe and effective solution for restoring damaged teeth, strengthening weakened ones, and enhancing the overall appearance of your smile. Dental crowns can last many years with appropriate oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist. It is essential to prioritize your dental health and seek professional help to ensure the longevity of your dental crowns.