Dental Crowns
Portland, OR
Your teeth are incredibly strong. They are the strongest substance in your body. Even so, they can still be affected by physical damage and decay, both of which can compromise their integrity as well as your oral health. At West End Dental, we can treat damaged teeth with restorative dental crowns.
What is a Crown?
Tooth damage is an issue that needs to be addressed right away. Ignoring damage, even if it does not seem all that serious, can lead to serious complications, such as worsening damage and painful tooth infections. If your tooth has suffered significant damage, a crown can help. A crown is a type of dental restoration that is designed to cover over the entire visible surface of a damaged tooth. It encases the tooth, preventing further harm as well as infections while restoring its strength and allowing it to function normally.
Types of Crowns
There are a few different types of crowns, each with their advantages and disadvantages. | • |
Metal. Metal crowns are the oldest types of crowns available. They are incredibly strong and practically indestructible. However, while strong, they are silver or gold in color, which makes them stand out very prominently in your mouth.
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Porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fused to metal, or PFM crowns consist of a metal base with a porcelain coating. The metal base provides strength around your tooth, while the porcelain coating provides a more aesthetic appearance. However, a thin metal line often shows through these crowns, giving them away.
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Ceramic. Ceramic crowns are the most aesthetic crowns available. They are made entirely from ceramic and look exactly like your real teeth, making it impossible to tell the difference between your restoration and your natural teeth. They are not as strong as metal crowns, but they can withstand most daily wear and tear. |
Why Get a Crown?
Crowns provide several benefits, including: | • |
Holding damage teeth together and preventing further harm.
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Protecting the affected tooth from an infection.
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Restoring strength to the tooth, enabling it to function normally.
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Avoiding the need for a tooth extractions.
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Providing protection and strength to a tooth following a root canal treatment. |
Crowns can also be used to anchor a fixed bridge into place as well as to replace missing teeth using dental implants. Crown Placement
Getting your crown typically requires two appointments. At your first appointment, we first need to prepare the tooth. Preparing the tooth, which is done under a local anesthetic, is a process in which a portion of the tooth enamel is removed, making the tooth smaller. This allows for your restoration to fit comfortably and naturally in with the rest of your natural teeth. After the tooth has been prepared, an impression of your mouth is taken. This impression is sent to our dental lab, where it is used to design and create your custom crown. It can take up to two weeks for the crown to be completed, so a temporary crown is placed while you wait. At your second appointment, your final restoration is checked for fit, bite, and appearance before being bonded into place on the tooth using specialized dental cement.
With a crown, we can help to restore the health of a damaged tooth, prevent further harm, and restore its strength. If you have suffered tooth damage, call West End Dental today at (503) 446-2957 and find out if a crown is right for you.
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