Crowns are porcelain caps that fit over teeth. They can strengthen teeth, improve their function, and restore their natural appearance. Our dentists often use them after restorative procedures, like root canals, or when a filling isn’t enough to repair a tooth. Dental crown treatment in our Arlington, TX, office can replace missing teeth by covering dental implants or securing bridges.
We provide crowns to help restore the look, feel, and function of your teeth at Cooper Family Dental. Visit Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, Dr. Sang Kwon Seo, and Dr. Emmanuel Najera for all your crown needs.
What Can Dental Crowns Do?
Crowns have many uses, including replacing missing teeth and protecting damaged ones. Best of all, most insurance plans can help cover the cost of crowns. Here’s how our crowns can benefit your oral health:
- Replace Missing Teeth: Crowns can secure bridges or cover dental implants. Bridges fill gaps caused by missing teeth and often rely on crowns for support. A crown can top off an implant to replace a single lost tooth.
- Cover Damaged or Stained Teeth: If you have a worn, chipped, or stained tooth, a crown can improve its look and protect it from further damage. We match your crown to your natural teeth for a seamless look.
- Protect After Fillings or Root Canals: When a tooth has a large filling that might fail, a crown can hold it in place. Crowns also protect teeth after root canals because the tooth may be weaker.
Types of Dental Crowns
You have many options when you want the best crowns for teeth in Arlington, TX. Different materials work better for different situations, and each type has its own strengths and weaknesses:
Metal Crowns
Gold crowns or metal alloys are strong and can last years without wearing down. They’re pretty noticeable because of their metallic color, so they’re not the best choice if you’re looking for something that blends in with your mouth. Also, some patients find that metal crowns can make their teeth more sensitive to hot or cold foods.
Resin Crowns
Resin crowns are a budget-friendly option. They’re often used for same-day treatments because they’re quick to make and can match the color of your natural teeth. Resin crowns are not as durable as other types of crowns, so you might need to replace them sooner.
Porcelain Crowns
These types of crowns are like the best of both worlds. They’re strong, long-lasting, and look completely natural. Porcelain crowns are a great choice for both front and back teeth because they blend seamlessly with your smile and can handle the wear and tear of daily use. Plus, they’re less likely to cause sensitivity compared to metal crowns.
Choosing the right crown depends on your needs, budget, and where the crown will go in your mouth. Our dentist can help you decide which option will give you the best results.
Dental Crown Treatment
A dental crown treatment at Cooper Family Dental typically takes two visits to complete. The steps to the dental crown procedure include:
Evaluation and Prep
Before treatment, we will take digital X-rays to assess the damage and ensure your mouth is healthy. We may recommend treating gum disease or cavities before we place your crowns. While these treatments add to your total treatment time, they ensure you are healthy enough for restorative care.
Tooth Preparation
Dr. Nguyen will numb the area around your tooth to begin treatment. Then, she will prepare the tooth to make room for the crown. You need to have enough of the natural tooth left, about 2 mm, for the crown to fit properly.
Impressions and Temporary Crown
Dr. Nyugne will take a dental impression of your prepared tooth and send it to a lab to create your custom crown. She’ll place a temporary one to protect the tooth while you wait for your permanent crown. The temporary crown will also help you use your mouth without issues while you wait for the new crown.
It’s easy to take care of the temporary. We recommend that you avoid hard or crunchy foods and don’t chew ice or bite your nails. Doing these things can crack it or break it completely. Also limit hot or cold foods to keep the glue intact.
Final Crown Placement
We’ll remove your temporary once your new custom crown is ready. Then we will place the permanent one and check the fit, color, and shape. Our advanced technology will make sure it fits perfectly. Finally, we’ll cement it in place and polish it to blend with your natural teeth. You can use your teeth normally right after your final visit.
Dental Crown FAQs
Read answers to common questions about dental crown treatment in Arlington, TX:
How do I take care of my new dental crowns?
A well-cared-for crown can last eight years or more! Flossing around the crown is important to prevent plaque and debris from building up. Be sure to clean your gum line when flossing. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush when you brush and avoid abrasive toothpaste because it can scratch the crown.
Crowns are strong, but habits like jaw clenching or teeth grinding can wear them down faster. We recommend that you avoid chewing hard foods, ice, and hard candy because they can loosen or damage the crown.
We recommend regular dental visits every six months. During these visits, we’ll clean your teeth, gums, and crowns and check to ensure everything is in good shape. Porcelain crowns can last 15 years or longer with the proper care.
Can I eat normally with a dental crown?
Yes, once our crown is properly placed and the cement has fully set, it should feel and work like a natural tooth. At first, you might notice the crown feels slightly different, especially if you just got it. We may recommend avoiding very hard, sticky, or chewy foods for the first day or two while you get used to it
Foods like ice, hard candy, or sticky caramel could loosen or damage the crown over time if you’re not careful. After the initial adjustment period, you should be able to eat most foods without trouble.
Will my dental crown match the color of my natural teeth?
Yes, we will make sure your dental crown closely matches the color of your natural teeth. Our dentist uses a shade guide to compare the color of your surrounding teeth. We will also use a crown material that blends in seamlessly. Modern crowns are designed to mimic the slight variations in tone and translucency of teeth.
Do I need a filling or crown?
Whether you need a filling or crown depends on how much damage your tooth has. If you have a small cavity or minor decay, a filling is usually enough. We can remove the decayed part and fills the hole with a tooth-colored material to restore the shape.
But you may need a crown if the tooth is badly damaged from a large cavity, crack, or after a root canal. Crowns cover the whole tooth to protect it and make it strong.
Are veneers and crowns the same thing?
No, veneers and crowns are not the same. Veneers only cover the front part of a tooth and are mostly for aesthetic purposes. Veneers are best for front teeth.
But crowns cover the entire tooth to restore its strength and function. Dentists use crowns to repair back teeth.
Can crowns get cavities?
The crown itself can’t get a cavity, but the natural tooth and gums around it are still at risk of infection. Bacteria reaching the tooth under the crown or the surrounding gum tissue can cause problems.
To avoid this, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss carefully around the crown, especially near the gum line. This will keep your tooth and gums around the crown healthy.
What should I do if my crown feels loose or uncomfortable?
Don’t ignore it! First, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth to prevent further damage. Don’t try to remove the crown yourself or glue it back in place because it could harm your tooth or make the problem worse.
Call our dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. We will check why the crown came loose. Sometimes, it just needs to be cleaned and re-cemented. Other times, the tooth underneath may need treatment, or the crown itself might need to be replaced if it’s damaged.
How much do dental crowns cost?
Many factors impact the cost of a dental crown in Arlington, TX:
- The number of crowns
- Crown material
- Pretreatments
Metal and PFM crowns don’t cost as much as porcelain crowns. But porcelain crowns last longer and look more natural.
Dr. Nguyen will review your need and budget before treatment. She will also provide a thorough exam before she gives you an estimate of your treatment cost.
Restore Your Teeth Today
Protect teeth with a dental crown in Arlington, TX. Call Cooper Family Dental at 817-646-1217 to schedule a dental care visit. You can also schedule an appointment online. Feel free to ask us anything over the phone or during your next visit!