Dental Crowns – Edmond, OK
Regain Strong, Healthy, and Beautiful Teeth
Have you recently cracked or broken a tooth? Has your tooth been weakened by extensive decay or a large filling? While tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body, there are still plenty of ways you may end up with these issues and more. Thankfully, Dr. M. Kent Smith can help you regain strong, healthy, and beautiful teeth with custom-made dental crowns in Edmond! These reliable restorations work to improve the strength and appearance of your pearly whites while preventing future damage and decay. Read on to learn more about them and give us a call today to see if your smile could benefit from a dental crown.
Why Choose Dr. M. Kent Smith, DDS For Dental Crowns?
- #1 High-Quality Materials for Beautiful, Long-Lasting Results
- #2 Compassionate Dentist with Over 30 Years of Experience
- #3 Same-Day Appointments Available for Patients in Pain
What Is a Dental Crown?
Unlike the rest of your body, your tooth enamel can’t repair itself. If a tooth develops a crack or cavity, it needs to be treated by a dentist to keep the damage from getting worse with time. A dental crown is designed to hold the compromised structure of a tooth together and strengthen it. These tooth-shaped caps are precisely designed to fit perfectly over the visible portion of a tooth. Since dental crowns completely encapsulate a tooth above the gumline, they help prevent further damage, decay, and infection. As a bonus, they can also transform the tooth cosmetically as well! Dr. Smith offers dental crowns made of high-quality dental porcelain, which is well-known for its durability, stain resistance, and its ability to look just like natural tooth enamel.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
Repairing a single tooth with a dental crown will typically take about two appointments. First, Dr. Smith will prepare the tooth by cleaning out any decayed tissue and filing away a small amount of enamel. This is essential for making room for the dental crown, and it will also help the restoration form a strong bond with your tooth. Next, we’ll take impressions. While these are sent off to a dental laboratory, we’ll send you home with a temporary crown.
It usually takes about two weeks to make a custom dental crown. Once we receive yours, we’ll call you back into the office. Your temporary restoration will be removed and we’ll bond your brand-new permanent crown into place. We’ll check to make sure your bite feels comfortable and that you’re pleased with the results, and then you’ll be ready to go out and enjoy your repaired smile!
Benefits of Repairing Teeth with Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are easily one of our most popular restorative treatments because they offer benefits such as:
- Relatively fast treatment that can protect your smile for many years to come
- Beautiful results that are practically indistinguishable from natural teeth
- Restored ability to chew and eat without pain or further enamel damage
- Saving a broken or decayed tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted
- Minimized risk of future complications, such as an infection or severe damage
Dental Crown FAQs
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, Dr. Smith may have recommended that you get a dental crown in Edmond. The modern restoration is designed to simultaneously improve your oral health and boost your appearance. Of course, it’s completely normal to have a few questions about it even after reading the information above. To help you out, our team has answered some of the most frequently asked questions from patients. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to give our friendly team a call today.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns may not be permanent, but they’re a long-term solution for damaged teeth. They can protect a tooth for anywhere from five to 15 years. Of course, it’s important to remember that the process of getting a dental crown is irreversible. Dr. Smith will need to remove a thin layer of enamel to ensure the restoration fits properly, meaning the tooth will always need a crown for protection moving forward. By practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly, you can keep your crown in its very best shape for years to come.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
It’s impossible for a dental crown itself to develop cavities. However, the underlying tooth is still at risk. If you fail to practice good oral hygiene, bacteria and plaque can accumulate around the gum line where the tooth meets the crown. The good news is that you can easily prevent cavities by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?
Dentists only recommend dental crowns to patients who absolutely need one. While you may be tempted to put off the procedure, it’s best to schedule it immediately after your dentist has suggested it. Otherwise, waiting too long will leave the damaged tooth exposed to chewing forces, unwanted debris, and harmful bacteria. It may eventually become so compromised that the only solution is a root canal or even an extraction. If you want to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible, you should get a dental crown soon after your dentist recommends it.
Is It a Dental Emergency If Your Crown Falls Off?
Losing a dental crown isn’t typically considered a dental emergency, but you should still make an appointment with Dr. Smith within a few days. You may be seen sooner if your tooth has sharp edges that could harm your soft oral tissues. In that case, you can apply orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to the jagged edges to keep your mouth safe. While you wait for your appointment, avoid chewing with your exposed tooth. Make sure you bring the crown to Dr. Smith’s office as well! If it’s still intact, we may be able to simply recement it into place.
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