knowledge for peace of mind
Dental Crowns in Chandler, AZ
What are Dental Crowns?
When a tooth sustains too much damage or decay, a dental crown must be employed to restore the tooth’s natural functionality. A crown–also called a dental “helmet” or “cap”–can be compared to a filling’s restorative nature, but a dental crown covers the entirety of a tooth while eliminating any current infection–there are even options for front tooth crowns.. You may also receive a temporary dental crown when a more permanent solution requires more time.
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dental crown before & after
BY DR. JEREMY SILVERMAN, DMD
What Type of Crowns Might Work For Me?
A dental crown in Chandler can consist of three different materials: metal, a combination of porcelain and metal, or just porcelain. Based on where the infected tooth is, your dentist will determine the best material for your dental crown, since each type has different benefits.
Metal Metal dental crowns can be made of stainless steel, gold, silver, or a base metal. These are generally temporary crown solutions, but they’re also a great choice for back teeth dental crowns.
Porcelain and Metal A crown made of porcelain and metal is incredibly strong, aesthetically pleasing, and long lasting. However, this type requires more enamel removal than other choices.
Porcelain Porcelain is commonly used for front tooth crowns in Chandler given its natural appearance. It’s excellent for patients with allergies since it’s biocompatible and contains no metals.
Signs You May Need a Dental Crown If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to call POM Dental right away.
Tooth Decay Signs of tooth decay include:
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Toothache
- Bad breath
- Pain while eating/ drinking
- Presence of holes in the tooth enamel that can become discolored
Tooth decay is the most common cause of a crown in Chandler. Causes of tooth decay include high sugar diets, poor oral hygiene at home, and cavity-causing bacteria
Chipped Teeth Signs of chipped teeth include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Toothache (notable when eating hard food)
- Headache
- Headache
- Presence of holes in the tooth enamel that can become discolored
TOOTH DECAY
- tooth sensitivity
- toothache
- bad breath
- pain while drinking or eating
- presence of holes in the tooth enamel that can become discolored
CHIPPED TOOTH
- tooth sensitivity
- toothache (notably when eating hard foods)
- headache
- noticeable differences in how the teeth come together during biting
REPLACING AN OLD CROWN OR VENEER
- tooth sensitivity
- toothache when eating or drinking
Distraction Methods – Therapeutic interventions – Pain management
What To Expect During the Crown Process
The process of getting a dental crown in Chandlerwill occur over two appointments set two weeks apart.
During your first visit, the dentist will take several x-rays to evaluate the damage in your tooth. If the dentist determines a dental crown is the best way to resolve your discomfort, we’ll prepare the area.
We make sure that our patients experience the little to no discomfort during their appointments, so we start by completely numbing the teeth and gums, and offering a variety of distraction methods.
Once the area is appropriately numb, all decay will be removed from the tooth with specialized dental instruments. Next, an impression is made of the area to capture the shape of the prepared tooth, which is then sent off for crown fabrication.
You will then be fitted with a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth structure and return the tooth to its original shape for maximum comfort. It’s important to remember to treat this temporary crown gingerly: chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the crown, refrain from eating anything sticky, and floss carefully.
keeping your temporary crown safe
After your first visit, but before your permanent crown is in place, you’ll be able to eat and drink but with some precautions in place. Here is some guidance to keep your procedure moving well.
- We recommend chewing on the opposite side of the mouth while wearing a temporary crown.
- Refrain from eating anything sticky.
- It’s important to floss your temporary crown by advancing the floss between the teeth as normal but instead of pulling the floss out the same way it went in, bite down and slide the floss out sideways with one hand. This will reduce the chances of you inadvertently pulling off your temporary crown while flossing.
If your temporary crown is dislodged prior to your second visit (when the permanent crown will be placed), please call our office so we can replace it for you.
It will take approximately two weeks for the lab to create your crown. Once it arrives at our office in Chandler we’ll check its fit with x-rays, bond it to the prepared tooth with a strong dental cement, and polish it. The dental cement will harden by the time the appointment is over, allowing you to return to your daily routine.
Remember to practice daily oral hygiene measures and keep up with your regular dentist appointments to ensure the longevity of your crown.
after your crown or veneer treatment…
To ensure the best outcome for the procedure, it is
important to:
- Practice the same recommended oral hygiene measures as you would with your normal teeth–twice a day brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and good flossing techniques.
- Reduce excessive biting force–like chewing on ice.
- Visit the dentist for cleaning and checkups regularly.
You may notice…
A small percentage of patients will experience minor temperature sensitivity after a crown or a veneer. This usually dissipates with time. If it does not, it is important to let the dentist know.
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If you experience biting sensitivity after your appointment and it is not going away, please contact the office.
Why Choose Peace of Mind Dental?
When it comes to dental crowns and oral health care, there’s no other dentistry in Chandler, AZ like POM Dental. We’re committed to providing a comfortable, safe, and relaxing dental experience for every one of our patients.
Contact us today to discuss your options for a dental crown in Chandler, AZ.
Crown & veneer faqs
answering your questions about crowns…
What's the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A veneer is a more conservative option as it only covers half of the tooth, while a crown surrounds the entire tooth. Aside from that, the reasons you might require one, and the general process are very simliar.
Will the crown or veneer procedure be painful?
Our office starts with the strongest topical anesthetic to reduce the chance of feeling anything during the numbing process. Then we will numb the tooth and surrounding tissues with local anesthesia so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
In addition to our topical anesthetic, we utilize a painless oral injection system, DentalVibe®, to reduce any discomfort during the numbing process. DentalVibe is a unique tool that can help alleviate dental fear and anxiety, allowing you to undergo the treatments needed to maintain a healthy mouth. DentalVibe provides gentle vibration to the site of the dental injection that overloads the nerve that sends pain signals to the brain so you don’t feel the injection. Most patients who have a DentalVibe injection aren’t even aware they’ve had an injection! The vibrations disperse the anesthesia once it’s injected to allow it to get to work even faster…plus the sound of the vibration creates an added distraction!
DentalVibe is especially helpful in reducing dental fear among children. Many adult patients feel they wouldn’t have developed dental fears if they had this tool when they were younger.
We also employ a whole host of patient comforts to create a soothing experience. Learn more here.
How long will a crown last?
You should expect your crown/veneer to last 8-15 years. The broad range depends on your oral hygiene practice and personal habits such as chewing ice, grinding teeth, nutrition etc. We can offer guidance on how to maximize the lifespan of your new investment.
Will a crown improve my smile?
If it can, we will make sure it does! If the tooth being crowned is chipped/broken/misaligned, we will do everything possible to make the crown aesthetically pleasing and in the most ideal alignment.
Can I get a dental crown during pregnancy?
Generally, elective procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. However, dental emergencies do arise for those who are pregnant and in certain situations the only option to stabilize a tooth that is significantly broken down is by placing a crown. At Peace of Mind Dental, we will perform the most conservative treatment needed for our patients who are pregnant and postpone any elective work until after the pregnancy.
Have more questions? Please call us at 480-608-5444 or email us and we’ll be able to talk you through the process.
Tips & advice from Dr. Silverman:
Need a DIY cement to repair your temporary crown?