Restore Teeth With Dental Crowns
A damaged tooth can ruin your smile and harm your oral health. Whether it’s due to trauma, decay, or infection, you should seek professional dental care as soon as possible. Dr. Del Kovacevic and our team can repair and strengthen your tooth with dental crowns to provide you with a beautiful smile that can stand the test of time. Read our guide to learn about how they’re used in our various dental procedures.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a beautiful cap-like restoration that’s made to look and feel just like your natural teeth. They’re crafted to cover and protect a tooth that’s either severely decayed or damaged. Dr. Kovacevic will examine your smile and evaluate your oral health to determine if your treatment plan might benefit from a dental crown.
Advantages of Dental Crowns
The versatility of dental crowns makes them a great tool for dentists. Dr. Kovacevic may recommend a dental crown to restore your smile and protect your oral health. Along with the installation procedure being convenient and non-invasive, other benefits of dental crowns include:
- Restoring a decayed or injured tooth
- Fixing a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
- Protecting a tooth after root canal therapy
- Correcting a worn-down or weak tooth
Do you suffer from any of these issues? You might be a great candidate!
The Dental Crown Process
Dr. Kovacevic can complete the dental crown process in just two appointments at our Greensburg, PA office. First, he’ll conduct an initial evaluation of your teeth, cleaning them and inspecting your smile to see if you have any underlying issues. Next, our team will take detailed impressions of your teeth to help create your custom crown.
Once your crown is ready, you’ll return for your next appointment. Dr. Kovacevic will start by reshaping your tooth or removing any fillings so that the crown will fit perfectly. Next, he’ll use a dental adhesive to secure your new cap and make sure it blends with your smile.
Procedures Involving Dental Crowns
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is performed when the inside of your tooth becomes infected. Dr. Kovacevic will remove the dental pulp and any lingering bacteria before filling the inside of your tooth’s structure with a composite material. A dental crown is then placed to protect your treated tooth.
Dental Bridges
Dr. Kovacevic uses dental crowns to secure a dental bridge in place. This type of restoration replaces more than one adjacent missing tooth by using your surrounding teeth as support. Dental bridges are a convenient, cost-effective way to complete your smile.
Dental Implants
One of the most noteworthy procedures involving dental crowns is dental implant placement. Dental implants consist of posts that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. The posts are topped with dental crowns to provide your smile with a natural-looking set of teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental crown cost?
The cost of your dental crown will depend on the materials used and the nature of your procedure. It’s recommended that you reach out to your dentist and schedule an appointment to get an accurate cost estimate and learn about any of their financing options. You should also contact your insurance provider beforehand to get a better understanding of your coverage and benefits.
What are my options if my dental crown breaks?
Your dental crown will likely need to be replaced if it gets damaged. Don’t attempt to fix it yourself as this can put your oral health at risk of further issues. Call your dentist to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to get the care you need. Fortunately, the process for replacing a dental crown is simple and relatively straightforward.
Can I replace a metal crown with a porcelain crown?
Yes — it’s completely possible to replace your old gold or metal crown with a porcelain restoration. Most patients who choose this path want a fixture that feels more natural and blends much more seamlessly with their smile than a metal crown. Schedule a visit today with Dr. Kovacevic to determine whether porcelain crowns are the right choice for your oral health.
What fields of dentistry use dental crowns?
There are many procedures that use dental crowns including root canal therapy, dental implants, and dental bridges. During your initial consultation, your dentist will be able to figure out whether these custom restorations are right for you. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of having a comfortable and natural-looking restoration that’ll fix your smile!