Dental crowns (also known as “caps”) are a popular type of restorative/cosmetic dental appliance designed to fully cover the visible structure of a damaged tooth. While traditional crowns were crafted from gold, Dr. Bakhtyari strongly recommends all-porcelain construction for an attractive, lifelike, and durable restoration. Here’s a brief guide to how dental crowns from Premier Dental Care Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can rebuild compromised teeth and enhance your smile, but please contact our staff if you have any questions.

What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are porcelain restorations designed to be cemented over troubled teeth to address severe chips, cracks, decay, and other forms of damage. Almost anyone can be an excellent candidate for crowns after having any gum disease or tooth decay resolved, and, at Premier Dental Care, we typically recommend them for patients who are facing the following situations:

• When a tooth already has a large filling and needs additional restoration.
• When a tooth has a damaged/fractured filling.
• When a tooth has been treated with root canal therapy.
• When a tooth is badly decayed and cannot be treated with a filling.
• When a tooth is seriously injured.

The Dental Crown Process

Your new porcelain crowns will be precisely matched with your smile’s curves and natural enamel shade so they can protect and restore troubled teeth while also preserving the remaining dental structure underneath. While crowns have traditionally been made from a variety of precious metals such as gold and silver, we prefer to use porcelain to create strong and lifelike restorations.

Patients seeking a new dental crown can expect to attend at least two appointments at our Oak Hill practice. During the first visit, Dr. Bakhtyari will reshape your tooth to make room for the crown and remove any decayed matter before capturing a detailed impression of your tooth or teeth to be sent to a trusted dental laboratory. He will then place a temporary crown on your tooth so that you become used to the feel of it within the mouth.

Once your permanent porcelain crown arrives at our office a few weeks later, we will invite you back for a second appointment so that it can be placed and checked for bite accuracy. We will be happy to provide you with instructions regarding how to care for your new crown at home. Regular brushing and flossing at home and checkups here at our Oak Hill office are an absolute must.

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

Dental crowns offer a range of considerable benefits such as:

• Incredible comfort
• Enhanced chewing ability
• Protecting natural teeth
• Preventing the need for tooth extractions
• Addressing many oral health problems such as chips, cracks, and extensive tooth decay with a single treatment
• Perfectly matching the appearance of real teeth

Neglecting to get a needed dental crown can lead to serious oral health complications such as further dental damage, continuing tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. To keep your restorations in great shape, it will be crucial to practice excellent oral hygiene, attend regular dental appointments at our office, and be mindful while chewing. With excellent care, your crowns may be able to last for fifteen years or more.