The Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns have a range of cosmetic and restorative uses. They are commonly used to provide additional support to damaged teeth, or to mask dental flaws such as misshapen teeth. At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, we custom fabricate porcelain crowns for our Troy cosmetic dentistry patients to ensure that their dental crowns are the appropriate size, shape, and color. Once your dental crown is secured in place, it will discreetly blend in with surrounding teeth. Dr. Craig Goldin and Dr. Marcy Goldin have successfully performed thousands of cosmetic dentistry procedures throughout their careers. In this blog post, they review the benefits, side effects, and risks associated with the dental crowns procedure so you can be more informed about the advantages and disadvantages of this dental treatment.
Dental Crown Benefits
The dental crowns procedure offers many benefits to patients. Its restorative capabilities include its ability to:
- Support a tooth that has been badly damaged by tooth decay
- Restore a tooth after a root canal
- Hold together a severely cracked or broken tooth
- Protect a worn tooth
- Anchor a dental bridge
Dental crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of the teeth. They can:
- Add length or width to misshapen teeth
- Mask tooth discolorations
- Cover a dental implant
Our Troy dental crowns patients can have their precision-milled porcelain crowns crafted in just one day. This cuts down on the need for an additional dental visit. In the past, patients had to attend at least two dental crown treatment appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth was cleaned and prepped for placement of the new crown, and then a mold was taken of the tooth so it could be sent to a dental lab for fabrication. Next, a temporary dental crown was placed on the treated tooth to protect it while the dental crown was being made. About a week later, when the permanent restoration was ready, the patient would return to the dentist's office so the crown could be bonded to tooth. At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, we use the CEREC® 3-D system to fabricate your crown in our office, and all of the dental crown treatment steps can be completed in one appointment.
Dental Crown Side Effects and Risks
The dental crown procedure has been performed by dentists for decades, and is considered to be a safe and effective treatment. However, there are some important considerations that our Troy dental crowns patients should be aware of, including:
- Infection: If the affected tooth is not thoroughly cleaned out and sealed, an infection can develop.
- Allergic reaction: A small number of patients may experience an allergic reaction to the materials used during the dental crown treatment process.
- Tooth decay: If the crown is not properly sealed, bacteria can accumulate and damage the tooth.
- Poor bite: If the crown's surface is not properly shaved down, it can result in an uncomfortable bite.
- Shifting of the crown: Over time, the crown can become loose or dislodged. Patients should expect to have their crown replaced after 10 to 15 years.
If you experience prolonged pain, inflammation of the gums, or other problems, consult your dentist immediately to find out if there is a serious problem.
Patients may also experience some temporary side effects after the dental crowns are placed, such as:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- Discomfort when chewing food
- Tender gums
Troy Dental Crowns - Consultations
If you are interested in undergoing a dental treatment such as placement of dental crowns or porcelain veneers in Troy, contact us today. Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of your smile.