Dental Crowns in Wilmington

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Restore Damaged Teeth

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a type of tooth-shaped prostheses that are designed to cover up and protect your entire tooth. During treatment, Dr. Friberg will remove any damaged tooth enamel and shape the rest of your tooth to serve as a platform for your crown. Once your custom crown is designed, it fits perfectly over your remaining tooth structure and is bonded permanently in place. The result is a false tooth that “caps” your existing tooth and protects it from any further damage or decay. Your new tooth will look and feel completely natural.

Why Would I Need A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are one of the most effective methods for restoring damaged teeth. Whether your tooth has a cavity, has been damaged by an oral injury, or has been treated with a root canal to remove an infection, a crown can help restore it to its proper size and shape. Crowns are durable and long-lasting, and they help protect your remaining tooth structure so you can avoid further complications. Crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes, in some cases, to cover up misshapen or stained teeth.

Dental crowns in Wilmington

The Dental Crown Placement Process

The crown placement process at Thrive Family Dental usually takes 2 appointments over about 2-3 weeks. During your first appointment, your mouth will be numbed and Dr. Friberg will use specialized tools to remove any damaged or decayed enamel from your tooth. Next, he will shape your tooth to create a stable platform to prepare for the placement of a dental crown. Then, impressions and images of your mouth will be taken and sent to a dental lab, where your custom crown will be made.

It can take a few weeks to create a custom dental crown that looks completely natural, so you’ll be sent home with a temporary crown in the meantime. When your permanent crown arrives, Dr. Friberg will ensure that it fits properly, then bond it into place permanently to complete the procedure.

Benefits of a Dental Crown

The dental crown placement process is painless, minimally invasive, and only takes 2 appointments to complete. The result leaves you with a stronger, more durable tooth that can withstand chewing forces to prevent damage. 

The protection of a crown that encapsulates a vulnerable tooth can prevent breakage, infection, and tooth loss. All of these problems would require more invasive treatment like root canal therapy or even an extraction.

If you have cosmetic concerns with a particular tooth, such as discoloration or if it’s awkwardly shaped, a tooth-colored crown can be used to cover the tooth to improve the smile. We custom tailor each dental crown to the specific size, shape, and shade of your natural teeth. 

This enables us to create a replication of your tooth that looks as natural as possible while correcting all of the problems with the tooth that you were unhappy with. Crowns are versatile and can be fabricated out of many different materials. 

They can even be used to complete tooth restorations in dental bridges and dental implants. If you have a broken tooth, it can hold it together so you don’t need to remove the tooth. This preserves the health and structural integrity of your natural teeth so you can enjoy an aesthetic smile without compromised tooth functionality.

Do Dental Crowns Last Forever?

No, dental crowns do not last forever. A crown is a temporary protective cap. Though it’s made of durable and long-lasting materials, it degrades over time as it is exposed to wear and tear. Many different factors affect the lifespan of your crown, including:

  • The materials used in your crown
  • Location of the crown
  • Health of the underlying tooth
  • Oral hygiene
  • Lifestyle

When crowns are placed on the back teeth, they withstand significantly more chewing forces which is why it’s important to use durable crowns made of metal or zirconia in these teeth. Less durable crowns are suitable for the front teeth, such as porcelain. 

If you had a severely decayed tooth that required a large filling and a crown over top to protect it, this may not last as long as a tooth with more structural integrity. If you are constantly introducing wear and tear or stains to your crown, it will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Caring For Your Crown

The tooth underneath the crown can still become decayed if you don’t practice good oral hygiene. Bacteria at the gum line can be introduced to the tooth and develop a cavity. At that point, the crown will need to be removed so we can remove the decay. 

Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once daily, and attend bi-annual cleanings to prevent this from happening. If you grind your teeth at night, get fitted for a mouthguard that you can wear over your teeth to cushion them from your clenching when you sleep. 

This prevents breakage. Avoid smoking, chewing hard and sticky foods, and using your teeth to open packages. All of these things can damage your crowns. Tooth-colored crowns can become discolored over time so limit your exposure to dark-colored drinks and sauces or rinse your mouth with water after eating.

Restore Your Damaged Teeth At Thrive Family Dental!

If you have been living with a damaged or missing tooth in Wilmington or Porters Neck, get the help you need from Dr. Friberg at Thrive Family Dental. Contact us now for an appointment at (910) 240-4797, or stop by our office in person at 8115 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411.