Looking to get your smile back on track? Choose dental crowns in Indianapolis

Teeth that are fractured, chipped, or misshapen can impact the appearance of your smile. Cosmetic dental crowns are a very effective solution for improving the appearance of a damaged tooth while also protecting it from further damage. If you have teeth that are damaged or decayed, the team at Washington Street Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN is here to explain how cosmetic dental crowns may be the perfect solution for you.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are placed over a tooth that is damaged or attached to a dental bridge or implant to replace missing teeth. Crowns can be made of many different materials. Among the most common are porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, all-metal and resin.

When are dental crowns recommended?

There are several different reasons your Indianapolis dentist may recommend dental crowns to get your smile back on track. Dental crowns are typically used to restore a tooth or cosmetically to improve its aesthetics. Here are some of the most common scenarios.

• Weakened, cracked or damaged teeth – Once a tooth sustains significant damage, due to decay or injury, a crown will restore the weakened structure, protect it from further damage, and restore function.

The Initial Examination

During your first appointment, one of our dentists will examine the tooth and the damage in order to devise a treatment plan. Teeth that have minor cavities may only need a filling to complete the restoration. In some cases, the cavity may appear small at first glance, but has actually extended into the pulp chamber of the tooth, necessitating a root canal and crown. If we determine that a crown is the best option for treatment, we can begin prepping the tooth.

The Preparation

To prepare the tooth for a cosmetic dental crown, impressions are taken and sent off to a laboratory for fabrication of the permanent crown. Any restoration such as filling, bonding, or root canal will be completed and then the tooth will be fitted with a temporary crown. This temporary crown protects the tooth and preserves functionality while you wait for your final restoration.

Final Placement

Once your permanent crown has arrived from the lab, we will schedule your final placement appointment. Your dentist will begin by removing the temporary crown and cleaning the tooth. At this point, we will check the permanent crown for color, alignment, and fit. Minor changes can be made in the office prior to permanently adhering the crown with dental cement.

Cosmetic dental crowns can last for many years (a decade or even longer) with proper oral hygiene and routine dental care. It’s important to avoid habits such as grinding or clenching your teeth as that can put stress on the crown and cause it to break. Porcelain crowns are strong, durable, and look very close to natural tooth enamel. For more information on the benefits of dental crowns, call  (317) 333-6788.

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