Our teeth can become damaged due to injury or tooth decay. When this happens, the patient and their dentist must decide if the affected tooth can be saved and how much can be saved. A dental crown is a way to both save a natural tooth and restore its structure so that it can be used for biting and chewing while also maintaining the appearance of your smile.
Crowns are custom-made to resemble your existing teeth and cover and protect the damaged tooth from the chewing surface down to the gum line. Dr. David J. Weinstock can create and install crowns for his patients for both medical and cosmetic purposes. While you may have heard of dental crowns, you may not understand how they can help your teeth look and function better.
At our Philadelphia, PA dental practice, Dr. Weinstock wants his patients to understand the treatment options available to them and their advantages. Read on below to learn about the benefits of dental crowns and how they can help restore your oral health.
Crowns help relieve discomfort.
Dr. Weinstock often uses dental crowns to complete a restorative treatment, repairing damage to a tooth’s enamel or structure. If you suffer from severe decay, an infection of a tooth’s root, or injury to your tooth enamel such as a fracture, chip, or break, you may feel discomfort when you eat or drink and eventually even when you’re not. Once Dr. Weinstock resolves the underlying issue with your tooth using an appropriate treatment (filling, root canal, etc.), the remaining portion of the tooth may still be susceptible to further damage or discomfort. A dental crown can protect your tooth against further damage while also reducing sensitivity.
Crowns are a simple procedure.
You might think that getting dental crowns is a complicated or intense procedure. In reality, this treatment is minimally invasive and relatively straightforward. Once your enamel is cleaned and the damaged parts healthy or removed, Dr. Weinstock will shape your tooth so that it can securely hold a crown. Next, he will make a mold of your tooth from which your crown will be cast. This process will usually take about two weeks. You will be given a temporary crown in the meantime. When it’s ready, Dr. Weinstock will place it over your prepared tooth and it will be held in place with a strong bonding cement.
Crowns are custom-made for you.
Dr. Weinstock will design your dental crown according to the shape, size, and hue of your existing natural tooth. Once the slight soreness around the area subsides, you may even forget you have a crown and most people probably won’t be aware unless you tell them.
Crowns can restore the appearance of teeth.
Dental crowns are mainly intended to restore teeth to health and relieve dental discomfort, but they also offer numerous cosmetic benefits. Because they fit over the existing tooth, they can instantly correct discoloration, staining, misshapen teeth, crookedness, chips, cracks, fractures, and more. Therefore, they can be used to correct some purely cosmetic issues, much like porcelain veneers cosmetic bonding, however, this may not be covered by your insurance. Consult with Dr. Weinstock’s dedicated staff about what your insurance will and will not cover.
Crowns last many years.
Dr. Weinstock uses strong, quality materials to create his patients’ dental crowns. With conscientious care such as daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine dental exams and cleanings at our Philadelphia area office or your local dentist, these prosthetic teeth can last between 15 and 30 years.
Enjoy the Advantages of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can help you restore and enhance your smile and Dr. Weinstock would like to help you receive these benefits if you need them. If you’re in the Philadelphia, PA area, contact us online or call (215) 857-8054 to find out more about these treatments or any others or to schedule a routine cleaning.