Dental Crowns – Tyler, TX
Restore the Look and Function of a Damaged Tooth
Prioritizing your brushing and flossing routine is a crucial component of warding-off decay. However, despite your best efforts, you may need the help of restorative dentistry to rebuild a cracked or otherwise damaged tooth. That’s where dental crowns in Tyler come in! This protective “cap” can restore the look and function of a damaged tooth in as little as two visits. Keep reading to learn more or get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment.
What Is a Dental Crown?
In short, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” designed to restore the size, shape, and strength of a compromised tooth. Years prior, these restorations were comprised of a mixture of metals. However, the unsightly dark spots left much to be desired. Fortunately, patients today can opt for enamel-colored alternatives that look as good as they feel, allowing you to get the treatment you need without calling attention to it.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Crowns?
If your tooth is decayed or damaged, then you may be a candidate for a dental crown! However, the only way to find out for certain is to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Tyler, Dr. Travis A. Markle. Once he has completed a comprehensive oral exam, he can determine whether or not you are eligible for this tooth-saving restoration. If you aren’t, then he will discuss available alternatives to ensure both the look and the function of your smile is completely restored.
An Overview of the Dental Crown Procedure
Although each patient’s dental needs are unique, the first step of the process is always numbing the area to ensure complete comfort. When it is time to make your crown, impressions will be taken of your treated tooth, which is what the lab artisans will use to create your permanent one. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be placed over your tooth to protect it. Once your final crown is meticulously crafted to exactness, it will be cemented in place for maximum durability.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a tried-and-true restorative dentistry service that has been used for years. Here are just a few reasons they continue to be a popular treatment:
- Dental crowns effectively relieve pain from damaged teeth.
- Dental crowns are custom-made, ensuring the size, shape, and shade seamlessly blends in with your other teeth.
- Dental crowns can last 15+ years with proper care.
- Dental crowns are extremely versatile.
- Dental crowns involve a simple, straightforward procedure.
- Dental crowns look as good as they function.
Struggling with oral pain? Think a damaged tooth is the culprit? Don’t wait to get the fast, effective relief you deserve! Contact our office today to find out if a dental crown is the solution you’ve been waiting for.
Dental Crown FAQs
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
While your dental crown will eventually need to be replaced, they’re permanent in the sense that they’re not designed to be easily removed. You’ll need a qualified professional in order to do that, and we usually don’t recommend that patients try to adjust or repair a crown themselves.
Dental crowns also serve as a necessary shield for the weakened or damaged tooth underneath, meaning you’ll always need a crown for that pearly white.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
We can tell fairly easily whether your crown needs to be replaced with an oral exam or X-ray, but there are a few signs you can watch out for, too. For example:
- A toothache or other discomfort near your crown can indicate the tooth underneath is experiencing a serious problem – most likely a cavity. In this case, we’ll have to remove your crown, treat your tooth, and either recement the restoration or replace it entirely.
- If your crown feels loose, it’s possible it sustained some damage or wasn’t placed quite right. Give us a call right away so we can prevent it from falling out completely!
- Being confident in your smile is important. If you’re no longer satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of your crown, that’s a good reason to get it replaced.
Are Dental Crowns Safe for MRI?
All-ceramic crowns made from tooth-colored materials are considered safe for MRI exams. Crowns that contain metal are a different story. Depending on the specifics of the metal, it could distort the magnetic field the MRI uses, resulting in a warped image. Metal crowns are even known to become dislodged due to the magnetics!
Some metal crowns are made with components that don’t interfere with MRIs. However, it’s always best to let your care providers know that your crown contains metal, just in case.
What Can I Eat with a Temporary Crown?
Extremely hard or sticky substances like steak, corn on the cob, popcorn, ice, caramel, and chewing gum can damage or dislodge temporary crowns. Overly hot and cold foods can also weaken the cement holding your crown in place, while sugar can easily slip between the gap between your crown and gumline and cause tooth decay. When you receive your permanent crown, you should be able to eat as normal, but in the meantime these aren’t problems you’ll want to encounter!