Severe dental damage causes more than just cosmetic concerns. Deep cracks or chips can affect your tooth’s functionality within your smile. It’s important that any dental damage you notice within your smile is taken care of promptly to prevent further damage or discomfort from occurring.
At Baltimore Dental Co., we are here for you when you need us the most. Dr. Leah Romay is an experienced restorative dentist and prosthodontist in Glyndon, MD. She is happy to help you restore your dental health with a dental crown if necessary. Dental crowns are great for helping patients resolve dental damages while also avoiding the need for a complete tooth extraction.
Dr. Romay offers metal-free dental crowns for a stable result that also supports your overall health and wellness. We will present all suitable options for your consideration to address your dental health and cosmetic concerns.
Metal-free crowns are natural-looking, durable, and lasting. They can offer important benefits for your oral and overall health and do not present the risk of any interaction with metal compounds.
Dental Crowns in Glyndon, MD
When your tooth is in need of a dental crown, it will be shaved down to a foundational core which will be used to support the prosthetic tooth. While this procedure is more invasive than others, it helps us restore the functionality of a damaged tooth. While this may sound painful, the alternatives are to let the tooth continue to rot or extract it. Saving your natural is the always the best solution for your oral health.
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Dr. Romay may suggest a dental crown for many reasons. It can actually be used for various cosmetic and restorative purposes. Some popular reasons we use crowns include:
- Protect and strengthen a tooth after a root canal
- Replace old tooth fillings that are worn down
- Repair a large broken or chipped tooth
- Support a tooth with a large crack
- Change the appearance of a crooked or misshapen tooth
- Whiten teeth that are discolored, stained or yellow
- Close gaps in between teeth
- Lengthen teeth that are too short
- Implant Supported Dental Crown
The Dental Crown Process
It is a multi-step process to receive a dental and it typically takes at least two or three appointments. The first step is always an examination to determine if you need a crown. Dr. Romay may take x-rays, discuss your dental concerns, and other treatment options. If a crown is the right treatment for you, she will create a treatment plan and book your next appointment.
The next appointment will involve taking impressions and preparing your tooth. Dr. Romay will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. The she will remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth’s surface to make room for the crown. Once the tooth is prepared, she will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions will be used to make your temporary crown and permanent crown. We will send a mold of your teeth to a dental laboratory where your custom crown will be fabricated.
In our office, we will create a temporary crown and place it over the foundational core of your tooth. This is necessary to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being created. It is important to take caution when wearing it. The temporary crown is typically made of acrylic or composite material and is not as durable as the final crown.
It typically takes a dental lab about two weeks to create a crown. In two weeks, we will call you back for your next appointment. During this appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown try on the final crown. Dr. Romay will assess the color, fit, and alignment to also make sure it feels comfortable. She will then firmly cement the crown to your tooth. The last step is to polish your new crown to achieve a smooth and natural appearance.
Dental Crown FAQs
Dr. Romay is happy to answer any questions you might have about dental crowns. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding crown. If you have further questions, please reach out to us during regular office hours.
What is the success rate of crowns?
The success rate for dental crowns is generally very high. An estimated 97.8% of crowns are successful. However, a larger part of the the success of a dental crown depends on the the patient’s oral hygiene habits. If you fail to take good care of your oral hygiene, there is a good chance your crown could fail.
How should I care for my dental crown?
Once your permanent crown is cemented into your mouth, you can begin to care for it just as you would a natural tooth. Continue to brush and floss your teeth regularly as well as scheduling oral health and wellness visits once every six months with your dentist. If for any reason your dental crown falls out, try to recover the crown and call our office immediately so that we can begin repairing or replacing your dental crown.
Is a crown stronger than a tooth?
Crowns are harder than your natural tooth enamel, so it is important to know that if you grind your teeth, a crown has the potential to wear your natural teeth down.
What if my temporary crown falls off before my permanent crown is ready?
If this occurs, please contact our office at your earliest convenience. We do not want you to experience any sensitivity or discomfort due to the exposed dentin. Our team will make you a new temporary crown to be used until your permanent crown is ready.
Why does my crown hurt when I put pressure on?
Your crown may become weak when your teeth split because the supporting structure is compromised. Your crown might hurt because of this. It’s also possible that your crown was positioned improperly or hasn’t fully bonded to your tooth if you recently had a crown replacement and it hurts for up to a week following the procedure.
How long does it take for a dental crown to settle in?
A new crown may feel large to the patient at first, but in about two weeks, the patient will become accustomed to it. If it still feels uncomfortable after this period, call our office.
How long after a crown is cemented can I drink water?
Please wait about 30 minutes after your crown is fitted before you eat or drink anything to give the cement time to fully harden. If your new crown seems tight or as like it is pressing against your other teeth, this feeling will go away after a few days once everything has had time to adjust.
Schedule An Appointment
If you have recently experienced dental damage or are in need of a dental crown, please contact our office or schedule an appointment online. Dr. Romay is happy to evaluate your smile and offer you a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs.