Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. At our dental office in Beckley, we replace existing dental crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain “pasted on gold” crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 10 to 20 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

The Process of Placing a Dental Crown

The placement of a dental crown is a highly effective treatment designed to restore the functionality and appearance of a damaged tooth. The process generally involves two visits to our office and can be broken down into several key steps:

1. Preparation: During your first visit, the tooth receiving the crown is reshaped to ensure a perfect fit for the crown. This involves removing a portion of the tooth’s outer layer to make space for the crown itself. If the tooth is severely damaged or decayed, additional material may be used to build it up before fitting the crown.
2. Impressions: Once the tooth is reshaped, an impression of your tooth is taken using a digital scanner or a traditional molding material. This impression is crucial as it will be used to create a crown that precisely matches the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth.
3. Temporary Crown: A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth to protect it while the permanent crown is being made. This crown is usually made of acrylic and is not as durable as the final crown, but it serves well to protect the tooth.
4. Permanent Crown Fabrication: The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where your crown is custom-made. This process can take a couple of weeks, during which your crown is crafted from materials chosen based on your functional needs and aesthetic preferences.
5. Placement: On your second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is carefully fitted. Adjustments are made as needed to ensure a comfortable bite and a natural look. The crown is then cemented into place, completing the restoration.

By following these steps, we ensure that your crown not only restores your tooth but also blends seamlessly with your natural teeth, enhancing both the health and beauty of your smile.

Caring for Your Dental Crown

Once your dental crown is in place, taking proper care of it is crucial to ensure its longevity and to maintain overall oral health. Here’s how you can keep your crown in great shape:

• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss daily. When flossing, be gentle around the crown to avoid dislodging it. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste to clean around and under the crown edges.
• Avoid Hard Foods: While dental crowns are designed to be durable, they can still be damaged by extremely hard or sticky foods. Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or other very hard objects that might crack or chip the crown.
• Wear a Night Guard: If you grind your teeth at night, consider wearing a night guard to protect your crown and surrounding teeth from excessive wear and tear.
• Regular Dental Check-Ups: Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. These visits allow your dentist to monitor the crown and the underlying tooth to prevent any potential problems early.
• Avoid Bad Habits: Refrain from using your teeth as tools to open packaging or bite nails. Such habits can compromise the integrity of your crown.

By following these care guidelines, your dental crown can last for many years, functioning just like a natural tooth and keeping your smile beautiful and healthy.

Key Benefits of Dental Crowns

• Provide protection for weakened endodontically treated teeth
• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
• Looks completely natural
• Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems

What are the capabilities of dental crowns and bridges?

Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain, or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, dental crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing dental crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, dental crowns can prevent breakage.

Home Care Instructions for After Dental Crowns