For patients with teeth that are severely damaged or decayed, one of the best possible options may be to get dental crowns placed. Dental crowns are able to achieve a number of aesthet6ic goals as well as dental health goals. At our Astoria, Queens cosmetic dentistry, we’ll be able to tell you if dental crowns will be best for you problem.
We’d like to break this all down for you right now so you understand what dental crowns are, what they can accomplish, how they are placed, and what alternative therapies may be considered if you are not a good candidate for dental crowns.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are caps that are placed on top of a tooth that is damaged. It’s ideal in that it seals the tooth from further damage, protects patients from tooth sensitivity, and they also look great. The crowns are crafted of a ceramic material and fashioned in just such a way that they are completely indistinguishable from your natural teeth. This ceramic material is sturdy, however, which means that your bite strength will be restored.
What dental problems can dental crowns solve?
Dental crowns are ideal for solving problems with major tooth decay and dental damage. The latter refers to chips and cracks that may have been sustained due to facial injury, auto collisions, or other sorts of accidents. Dental crowns essentially serve both a cosmetic function as well as a dental health function.
Who is a good candidate for dental crowns?
The best candidates for dental crowns are generally people who have severe tooth decay or dental damage yet have enough healthy tooth structure remaining to avoid tooth extraction. When you visit Astoria Dental Group, our cosmetic dentists will perform a full assessment to determine how best to meet your needs.
The Dental Crowns Process
The process for placing dental crowns is rather straightforward. The first step of the process is the preparation of the tooth for the crown. This will involve removal of damaged or compromised tooth structure. Next, an impression will be made from which the final crown will be crafted at a dental lab. Patients will be given a temporary crown at this point. In about two weeks, patients will return for the final placement of the permanent dental crown.
Dental Crown Alternatives
In some cases, dental crowns will not be the best option for a patient’s needs. If the tooth decay or damage is severe but not too severe, then the use of inlays or onlays is likely. It’s easiest to think of inlays and onlays as sort of larger dental fillings. If you do have such severe tooth damage that the tooth needs to be extracted, an option to consider may be Astoria, Queens dental bridges, a dental crown, or dentures supported by a dental implant.
Dr. Clifford Degel and Dr. Carmen Every-Degel can’t perform a consult over the internet, so it’s important that you visit out office as soon as possible, especially if you have a damaged tooth that’s causing you pain or discomfort of any kind. To schedule an appointment, contact Astoria Dental Group today.