A dental crown is a cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Once cemented into place, a crown fully encases the visible portion of a tooth above the gum line. This makes crowns an excellent choice for protecting and improving the function of damaged or decayed teeth. Dr. Xuanyi Li offers dental crown treatment in Clarksville, IN, as part of his restorative dentistry services.
Why You Might Need a Dental Crown
Dr. Li might recommend a dental crown for several reasons. If a tooth is severely decayed, a crown can restore its structure and function. Crowns are also ideal for covering and protecting broken or chipped teeth. After a root canal procedure, a crown is often used to safeguard the treated tooth. In cases where a tooth has a large filling and minimal natural structure remaining, a crown can help hold the tooth together. Additionally, crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes, such as covering discolored or misshapen teeth to enhance your smile.
The Dental Crown Procedure
The process of getting a dental crown typically requires two visits to Dr. Li’s office. During the first visit, the tooth is examined and prepared. This may involve taking X-rays and reshaping the tooth to accommodate the crown. If the tooth is extensively decayed or damaged, it may need to be built up with filling material to support the crown. Once the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken of the tooth and the surrounding area. This impression is sent to a dental lab where the custom crown is crafted. While waiting for the permanent crown, a temporary one is placed to protect the tooth.
On the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the fit and color of the permanent crown are checked. If everything is satisfactory, Dr. Li will cement the crown into place, completing the restoration.
Types of Dental Crowns
Various types of dental crowns are available, each made from different materials. Metal crowns, often made from gold or other alloys, are known for their durability and are typically used for back teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine a metal base with a porcelain exterior, allowing them to be color-matched to your natural teeth. All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns offer the best natural color match and are a popular choice for front teeth. Resin crowns are a more affordable option, though they may wear down over time. Each type of crown has its own benefits and considerations. Dr. Li will help you determine which type is best suited for your specific needs and preferences.
Gold Dentistry
Although there’s been much development and advancement in dental restorative materials over the years, gold restorations are still considered the material of choice for many applications. While many patients lean towards tooth-colored materials, gold offers numerous often-overlooked advantages.
Why Gold?
Considering gold for your dentistry needs? Here’s why it might be the right choice:
- Conservative: Gold offers strength and durability even in thin applications. Compared to ceramics, gold requires less reduction, preserving more of your natural tooth structure. Gold also mimics the properties of tooth structure, making procedures like inlays and onlays a functional alternative to crowns.
- Long-lasting: Dental work faces daily challenges, but gold’s tight seal against the tooth reduces recurring cavities and minimizes stress without affecting your natural tooth’s resilience. It doesn’t discolor teeth, nor does it chip, corrupt, or shrink like other materials do.
- Safe and Biocompatible: Gold is non-toxic and friendly to the body. It has no mercury and is BPA-free. Gold isn’t absorbed by the body even when eaten.
Our gold inlays and onlays work in harmony with your natural tooth structure, allowing us to avoid dental crowns when applicable. This preservation approach minimizes alteration of your natural tooth, sometimes discreetly placing the gold restoration out of sight within your smile. Studies demonstrate that gold restorations typically outlast other dental restorations, leading to fewer chips, cavities, and headaches in the future.
Schedule a Consultation
Considering gold for your dental needs? Our Clarksville dentists at Beechwood Dental can guide you in choosing the right option, be it a gold crown, gold inlay, or gold onlay. Contact us at (812) 506-2294 or contact us online to explore how conservative gold dentistry can benefit you.