Healthy and beautiful teeth are a dream of most people all around the world. Luckily, modern dentistry has many effective tools and techniques to achieve the best possible result. Dental crowns are just one of such solutions. While many patients are already visiting the dental office for placing dental crowns, others still can’t make up their mind. The main obstacle towards having a Hollywood smile is the lack of true information on this issue. Let’s find out more about dental crowns and the reason to approach cosmetic dentistry in Albuquerque.

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a cap that is placed on one’s tooth to preserve it and make the entire gum line look better. You have a wide range of options when it comes to the type of crowns. Your choice will be determined by one of the following reasons.

Reasons to Place Dental Crowns

If you are hesitating whether you need to approach cosmetic dentistry for placing a dental crown, then consider the most common reasons to do it. Dental crowns are a suitable option for you if:

•         Your tooth is cracked and you need to hold its parts together
•         You want to restore a worn-down or broken tooth
•         It is necessary to hold a dental bridge in place
•         You have a weak tooth that needs protection from decay
•         You need to cover a dental implant
•         You want to cover discolored or misshapen teeth
•         There are not many teeth left so you must support and cover the one with a large filling

Mind that not only adults may consider placing dental crowns. The latter can help solve some of the children’s problems. Among the most widespread ones are:

•         Saving tooth that was damaged by a decay
•         Decreasing the number of necessary general anesthesia sessions for kids
•         Minimizing the risks of having a tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene  

In this case, you can take your child to Kids dentistry and discuss the necessity of placing dental crowns with a specialist.

Types of Dental Crowns

Permanent crowns can be made of different materials; hence, there are a few common types of dental crowns at present:

•         Metal
•         Porcelain
•         Ceramic
•         Stainless steel
•         Composite resin
•         Combination of materials

The choice will depend on your budget, goals, and the state of your gums, of course. The consultation with your Albuquerque dentist will help you select the most suitable type of dental crowns that will perfectly match your requirements.

Dental Crown Procedure

If you want to get crowns in Albuquerque, then be ready to go through the following steps:

Examining and preparing a tooth

A dentist will examine your tooth carefully and take several X-rays to look at the roots and surrounding bone. In case some problems are detected, a root canal treatment may be administered. Next, a doctor anesthetizes a particular tooth as well as the gum tissue around it. Your teeth will be reshaped in order to leave space for the crown. The dentist will then apply filling material to support a crown. Finally, the doctor takes impressions and sends them to the laboratory for manufacturing of a future crown.

Getting a permanent dental crown

During the next visit, your doctor will extract a temporary crown and check on the color and fit of the permanent one. If everything is fine, the dentist will place the crown under a local anesthetic. Finally, you have a healthy and beautiful smile that you have been dreaming about.

How to Care about Dental Crowns?

When you have a temporary dental crown in, you need to care about it properly as good care will prolong its life until you get a permanent crown. Here are some helpful tips:

•         Brush your teeth carefully twice a day. If you have not done it before, then it is high time to develop good dental habits. If a crown or a tooth around it is sensitive, then choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
•         Daily flossing is an effective way to preserve all teeth in their first-rate shape.
•         Get rid of all bad habits, including teeth grinding. A night guard may become a great solution for taking care of your crown and enclosing teeth.
•         Avoid consuming hard foods and prefer soft foods, especially if you have porcelain crowns.

Should you have some problems with a temporary crown, do not postpone approaching a dentist to place a new one or find another effective solution until your permanent crown is ready.

Possible Complications of Having a Dental Crown

Dental crown may be a great solution to one of your dental problems. However, you should be aware of the possible risks that might occur after getting a crown.

1.   Teeth sensitivity. It is quite a common problem for a crowned tooth to be too sensitive to cold or hot. If you feel constant discomfort, it is recommended to talk with your dentist about changing the crown position.
2.   Allergic reaction. Not many people suffer from this problem, but still some of them may have allergies to the metal used in a crown.
3.   Gum disease. If the gum around a crown is irritated, gets sore, or starts bleeding, it may be a signal for the development of periodontal disease.
4.   Chipped crown. Crowns that are made of porcelain fused to metal or all-porcelain may chip sometimes. A dentist can fix chips if they are small.
5.   Loose crown. After washing the cement from under a dental crown, it becomes loose and more prone to getting bacteria in.  

Final Remarks

You can achieve the best result only if you approach an experienced dental clinic. We, at Gallegos Family Dentistry, know how crucial a healthy and beautiful smile is for your self-confidence. Our professional team provides a wide range of dental services, including the procedures of placing crowns and bridges. Feel free to get in touch with a family dentist in Albuquerque to schedule an appointment and become one step closer to the smile of your dream.