Dental crowns are commonly placed on cracked, broken, or damaged teeth. Their role is to protect teeth and possibly provide support for dental bridges. If you have teeth that have been damaged by injury or decay, you might be a candidate for a crown. Columbia Smiles offers dental crowns, bridges, veneers, among other services to help you attain the healthiest smile possible. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how a dental crown may benefit your oral needs
The Purpose of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used for many situations. Crowns can:
- Protect teeth weakened by decay
- Hold together cracked teeth
- Restore broken or worn down teeth
- Cover teeth with large fillings
- Hold dental bridges in place
- Cover misshapen or discolored teeth
- Cover dental implants
A crown may be necessary when a filling simply cannot restore a tooth’s health and functionality. When placed on top of implants, which are titanium posts screwed into the jawbone, crowns provide realistic, fully functional replacement teeth.
Crowns are used in dental bridges to replace a missing tooth. In conjunction with an artificial tooth, they provide security and give you a natural-looking smile.
While dental veneers and fillings can do similar things, the role of dental crowns is unique in that they’re not an invasive procedure, but they do provide a great deal of strength and support to your smile.
Types of Dental Crowns
There’s a range of options to choose from for your new crown. These options offer different price points as well as cosmetic appeal. Metal crowns, for example, are relatively inexpensive and incredibly durable. However, some people don’t like the look of metal as part of their smile. This makes metal crowns a great option for molars
Porcelain or ceramic crowns, look realistic and also function well. These crowns can be custom-made to achieve the look you want, making them an ideal choice for front teeth, or any tooth that is visible when you smile.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Not sure whether you’re a candidate for a crown? Consider the following:
- Do you have a broken or cracked tooth?
- Has your tooth been damaged by decay?
- Are you in need of a dental bridge or implant?
- Do you have misshapen or discolored teeth?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, a dental crown might be right for you. The process of placing a dental crown is simple. If your tooth has significant damage or decay, additional work may be needed first. The damaged material and/or decay will be removed, then your tooth will be reshaped, preparing it for the crown. Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth to ensure your crown will fit perfectly. Most crowns are made in dental labs and will take a couple of weeks to manufacture. During this time, your dentist might supply you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth. When the crown is ready, they’ll cement it in place using a special adhesive.
Reach Out to Columbia Smiles Today
At Columbia Smiles, we offer dental crown services as well as a wide variety of other services to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These include:
- Regular cleanings and exams
- Cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening
- Laser dental services
- Dental trauma services
Connect with our team today to schedule an appointment. If you’re in need of a dental crown, we can talk to you about all of the options we offer, including realistic-looking porcelain crowns.
Reach out to us at 410.690.4855 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
