Restore and Protect Your Smile
When your teeth are damaged, it isn’t always easy to smile with confidence. Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to dental problems like decay, cracks, and discoloration. If your smile is no longer what you’d like it to be, dental crowns can help you restore it.
Dr. Santhosh Thomas provides custom dental crowns here in our Albany, NY office. Read on to learn more about this simple procedure.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are protective caps placed on top of your teeth that cover your natural root structures after damage. At Western Dental Care, we’ll create your crowns to match the exact shade and shape of your teeth to prevent food and bacteria from getting caught in your enamel and causing further damage.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or gold. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain-finished crown is usually best, as it can be perfectly matched to the shade of your other teeth.
The Top Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are extremely useful for preventing further damage to your natural teeth. They have numerous benefits, including:
- Saving a severely damaged tooth
- Preventing further tooth damage and decay
- Protecting a dead tooth from falling apart
- Versatile cosmetic and restorative treatment
- Long-lasting (at least 15 years, but possibly much longer)
The Dental Crown Procedure
Typically, the process of installing a dental crown takes two visits to our Albany, NY office. During the first visit, Dr. Thomas will reshape your tooth by gently filing down the enamel to make room for the crown. You’ll be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so you won’t experience any pain or discomfort.
Once the tooth is reshaped, our Albany dentist will take a mold of the tooth and the surrounding teeth and sent to a dental lab, where they’ll use the mold as a blueprint in creating your customized restorations. Before leaving, Dr. Thomas will fit you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth until your permanent crown is ready.
When we receive your final restoration from the dental lab (typically two or three weeks later), you’ll return to our Albany office for a final fitting. Once again, we’ll make sure you get a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. The tooth will then be placed using cement to ensure it sets. Our dental team will be sure to provide you with instructions for proper after care.
Dental Crowns FAQ
When are dental crowns necessary?
Dental crowns are needed when teeth are too damaged or decayed to be repaired with fillings, but aren’t damaged severely enough to warrant an extraction. They are also used to treat infected teeth after root canals and protect cracked teeth after oral trauma.
Are dental crowns considered cosmetic dentistry?
Typically, a crown is used for restorative dentistry purposes. However, in some cases, they can be used to enhance your smile’s appearance. For example, a misshapen tooth that can’t be treated with dental bonding or veneers may benefit cosmetically from a dental crown.
Are dental crowns painful?
The dental crown procedure is virtually painless. Our team will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to numb your mouth A member of our team will monitor you throughout your procedure to ensure you’re at ease. It’s normal to experience mild discomfort after the numbness subsides, but any pain can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and it should fade within a few days.
Dental Crowns at Western Dental Care
Dental crowns are a fantastic method for tooth restoration or enhancement. When you’re ready to learn more, call our Albany office at (518) 456-8040 or fill out our online contact form. One of our friendly team members will get back to you right away. We look forward to seeing you in the office!