Crowns
Magnolia Family Dental
General Dentistry located in Gainesville, FL
Crowns can strengthen weak, damaged teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. Magnolia Family Dental offers durable crowns that look and feel like natural teeth to patients throughout Gainesville, Alachua, Starke, Lake Butler, High Springs, Ocala, and the surrounding Florida communities. To find out if crowns are right for you, schedule an appointment online or call the Gainesville, Florida, office today.
Crowns Q & A
What is a crown?
A dental crown is a cover made out of a durable material like porcelain or ceramic that your dentist places over a weak, damaged tooth. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth. Your dentist cements them in place, and they keep your teeth from falling apart. Your dentist may recommend a crown if you have a cracked, chipped, or discolored tooth.
Crowns also have the benefit of improving the appearance of your teeth. They completely cover the visible portion of your tooth and they’re designed to look like your natural teeth.
It’s also common to get a crown after a root canal or a large filling. These procedures may somewhat weaken your tooth, but a crown can reinforce teeth afterward.
Magnolia Family Dental offers three types of crowns: full gold crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns, and all-ceramic crowns. Gold and porcelain/metal crowns are usually recommended for the strong teeth in the back of your mouth; ceramic looks more like your natural teeth and are usually placed in the front.
Depending on your situation, your dentist may recommend crowns to support a bridge, or install implants (artificial roots) before placing crowns on the implants. However, you may simply need crowns to restore the function and appearance of your teeth.
What is the procedure to install a crown?
Crowns usually require two visits to Magnolia Family Dental. At the first visit, your dentist prepares the tooth for the crown. This includes removing enamel, as well as any decay.
If necessary, your dentist may also add some filling material to the tooth so there’s enough structure to support the crown.
After shaping your tooth, your dentist takes impressions of your teeth. A dental lab uses the impressions to make your crown, which usually takes 2-3 weeks. While you wait for your permanent crown, you wear a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
At the second visit, your dentist removes the temporary crown and places your permanent crown. Your dentist may shape the crown and adjust the position before bonding it to your tooth with a dental adhesive.
How long do crowns last?
Modern dental crowns are designed to last for at least 10 years. How long your crown lasts depends on how well you take care of it. A crown may still break, and the natural teeth under the crown can still get a cavity.
While crowns work like natural teeth and are durable, it’s important to be cautious so you don’t break them. Don’t bite or chew on hard substances, like ice or hard candy. Be sure to contact your dentist if you have any discomfort or if something seems to be wrong with your crown.
To ensure your crown lasts a long time, it’s also important to practice good oral hygiene. That includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and getting a routine checkup and cleaning at Magnolia Family Dental at least twice a year.
To learn how a crown can restore your damaged tooth, schedule an appointment at Magnolia Family Dental online or over the phone.