DENTAL CROWNS

What are Dental Crowns?

Commonly referred to as “caps”, a dental crown is a protective layer that slips over your exposed tooth, reinforcing the compromised structure underneath and providing both a layer of protection to your existing tooth, as well as an aesthetic improvement to your smile. Crowns are used anytime a filling isn’t appropriate due to structural and integrity concerns. Though it seems technical, think of a crown as the protective shell that keeps your natural tooth in place, but dressed beautifully for a smile you’ll want to show off.

Depending on the severity of the damage or decay your tooth has, Dr. Varkey may recommend a porcelain or noble metal crown. Typically, a dental crown is a great option if your tooth is:

• Aggressively worn from grinding your teeth in your sleep or eating hard foods and candies.
• Cracked or splintered.
• Treated with a root canal.
• Severely decayed and not suitable for other cosmetic procedures.

…or to top off a dental implant in the instance of replacing missing teeth. These crowns are a little different in that they replace your entire tooth. Learn more about dental implants here.

What to Expect

The dental crown treatment in our DeSoto dentist’s office is quite straightforward. Over the course of two visits, Dr. Varkey will gently prep the tooth (to ensure that a crown has room to slip over it) and then take an impression for our lab. About two weeks later, you’ll return to have the permanent porcelain or noble metal crown bonded into place. It’s really that simple!

Your comfort is extremely important to us. Getting a dental crown can be just as routine as a dental filling or other common treatment. With no surgical procedure necessary and effective numbing medications, you don’t have to feel much of anything at all! There’s virtually no recovery time, and you get to walk out the door with a smile that looks and feels good as new.

Optimal Aesthetics

Depending on where the tooth is in your mouth, Dr. Varkey may suggest either porcelain or noble metal, such as gold. Gold withstands extreme pressure and wear, making it ideal for areas such as upper back teeth that may not be visible when you’re smiling. Porcelains are both durable and aesthetic, allowing us to match their shade and shape to blend in with the surrounding teeth; they’re best for restoring teeth in your “smile zone”, and no one will ever know the difference.

Care and Maintenance

Your new dental crown should last for several years. A common misconception about crown care is that flossing may pull them off. That’s not the case! In fact, it’s essential to floss around your crown daily to prevent bacterial plaque from leaking in around the edges. Daily flossing, brushing, and routine checkups at DeSoto Family Dentistry can help your crown last for as long as possible. Once your procedure concludes, our friendly and experienced team will walk you through any aftercare steps you need and answer any questions you have.

Gentle Dentistry in DeSoto, TX

At DeSoto Family Dentistry, we treat you like our own family. For dental crowns, checkups, or even a second opinion, contact our DeSoto dentist office today.