When you have problem with bite balance and chewing function, or simply have a badly damaged tooth, we could help you with a custom restoration. Our dental crowns look natural and can restore your smile to a better state. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, prosthodontist talks about dental crowns.
When a Smile Needs a Restoration
A dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire visible portion of each tooth, essentially all of the structure above the gum line. Which means dentists and prosthodontists have used them to address a variety of issues with a smiles function, health, and even appearance. For example, we could use them to repair cracks, chips, or worn-down tooth structure. We could address more severe cases of tooth decay and infection, and we could cause them to improve bite balance and chewing function too. They even aid in the replacement of missing teeth by securing a dental bridge in place and restoring a single tooth dental implant!
Crafting Your New Restoration
The key to their success is the custom nature of their design and fabrication. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. We begin by numbing the tooth or teeth in question and then removing structure from them. Next, we take detailed digital images of these prepared teeth, combining them to create a 3D impression, one far more accurate and precise than a physical impression. In a dental lab, we use this information to design and craft the finished product, often using materials like ceramic to ensure a natural appearance, shading them to blend with your smile. They will be able to handle daily bite forces and pressure as well, just like natural teeth.
Placement and Maintenance
When the restoration is ready, you will return to our office so we can check the fit and if necessary, make some final adjustments. We then attach the finished product with a powerful bonding agent. The restoration could last for decades to come and protect your smile from serious complications. We can monitor it in future visits as well.
To keep it strong, and also protect the rest of your smile, we recommend checkups and cleanings every six months with your general dentist, and also better homecare habits too. You should take time to brush and floss daily, eat a healthier diet, and avoid tobacco products. If you have any questions about how we design and craft a custom-made crown or prosthetic, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Need a Restoration?
Contact Dr. Stuart Dexter, Prosthodontist in Prairie Village, KS by calling 913-362-8200 to schedule your next appointment with our office, and to find out how our team can return function, health, and beauty to your smile once again.