Dental Crowns

Dentist Milwaukie & Oregon City, OR

In restorative dentistry, dental crowns offer versatile solutions to an array of dental concerns. These meticulously crafted restorations serve as protective covers for your teeth, preserving the structural integrity of your teeth while simultaneously enhancing their aesthetic appeal. From strengthening weakened teeth to concealing imperfections and restoring functionality, dental crowns have revolutionized the field of restorative dentistry, providing patients with renewed confidence and a reason to smile. Dental crowns also serve as the top portion, the visible "tooth," to dental implants.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns, often referred to as caps due to their full-tooth coverage, are custom-made to encase the entirety of a tooth's surface, reinstating its original shape and size.

What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

Dental crowns offer a dual benefit of enhancing aesthetic appearance and restoring tooth functionality. Dentists frequently recommend dental crowns to address various dental issues, such as:

• Protecting a weak tooth from further breakage or stabilizing parts of a cracked tooth

• Restoring a significantly damaged or decayed tooth when a standard filling is insufficient

• Covering a dental implant or a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment

• Concealing a severely discolored or misshapen tooth

Placing Dental Crowns

The process of placing a dental crown involves multiple steps, beginning with a consultation with our dentist. During this initial visit, our dentist evaluates your oral health to ascertain whether a crown is the optimal solution for your dental concern. This assessment may involve X-rays to assess the tooth's roots and surrounding bone.

In instances where extensive decay or a risk of infection or injury is present, a root canal may precede the crown placement. If necessary, we will reshape the tooth to prepare it for the dental crown by trimming it along the chewing surface and sides.

Once the tooth is appropriately reshaped, we will take an impression of the tooth and its surroundings. This can be achieved using either a paste or putty or digitally with a scanner. The impression is then sent to a dental laboratory where your custom crown will be fabricated.

While your permanent crown is being crafted, usually within about two weeks, a temporary crown will be placed to shield the prepared tooth.

Upon completion of the permanent crown, a second appointment will be scheduled for its placement. Our dentist will remove the temporary crown, verify the fit and color of the permanent crown, and, if satisfactory, cement it in place with a local anesthetic to numb the tooth.

Following the procedure, mild sensitivity or discomfort may occur, but these typically subside within a few days. Our dental team will furnish you with specific aftercare instructions to ensure the longevity of your new dental crown. Regular check-ups and diligent oral hygiene practices are vital for maintaining your dental crown and overall oral health.

Materials Used for Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be fabricated from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a blend of these materials, each with its unique set of advantages and disadvantages.

Porcelain

Porcelain or ceramic crowns offer a natural appearance and can be color-matched to your existing teeth, making them ideal for front teeth. However, they may lack the durability required for posterior teeth.

Metal

Metal crowns, such as gold alloy or palladium, are highly durable and withstand biting forces well. However, their metallic color may be noticeable, leading to their preference for molars.

Porcelain Fused to Metal

Porcelain fused to metal crowns provide a balance between strength and aesthetics, featuring a metal structure for durability and porcelain coating for a natural look.

Zirconia

Zirconia crowns combine the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain, offering color-matched and robust solutions for any tooth.

Resin

Resin crowns are a cost-effective option but are less durable and more prone to wear and tear compared to other materials.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel crowns are typically used as temporary measures and are commonly employed on children's teeth or while awaiting a permanent crown.

Advantages of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns offer numerous benefits in protecting and preserving your teeth. They restore a tooth's shape, size, and strength, preventing further damage and the need for more extensive dental work. Additionally, dental crowns can safeguard a weak tooth from breakage and support cracked teeth, aiding in preserving the tooth's structure.

Moreover, dental crowns are instrumental in covering and supporting teeth with large fillings, preserving remaining tooth structure, and shielding restored teeth. They also improve the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth, enhancing overall aesthetics and boosting confidence.

Dental crowns act as the third and final piece to a dental implant. A dental implant begins with the implant post, which is surgically placed into the jawbone. Next, a connector piece, called an abutment, is placed. The abutment connects the implant post with the dental crown. The dental crown is placed on top. It is the only part of the dental implant that can be seen. It acts as the new tooth.

Functionally, dental crowns facilitate tasks such as chewing and speaking, ensuring comfort and ease of use. They are durable and, with proper care, can last for many years, serving as a long-term solution for various dental concerns. Dental crowns typically have a lifetime of between five to 15 years before they need to be repaired or replaced.

Dental Crowns in Milwaukie and Oregon City

To safeguard and maintain your dental health, contact our team at Comfort Care Dental to schedule your dental crown appointment. We can be reached at (503) 855-0465 for our Milwaukie location and (503) 765-7185 for our Oregon City office. Don't let the pain, discomfort, or embarrassment of having a broken or damaged tooth be something you suffer with any longer. Reach out to us and we will be happy to schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can help repair your tooth.

Contact Our Offices

Milwaukie: (503) 855-0465
Oregon City: (503) 765-7185
Mobile Dental Clinic: (503) 653-9334