Restore and Protect Your Teeth With Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are protective caps that restore the shape, size, and function of damaged teeth, offering crucial protection from further harm. At Horizon Dental Designs, we offer dental crowns as a reliable solution for restoring damaged teeth.
While teeth may not heal or regenerate damaged enamel on their own, a dental crown can help protect and restore a weakened or damaged tooth.
Dental crowns are a versatile treatment option, used to safeguard a tooth from infection, restore its appearance, cover a dental implant, or hold a dental bridge in place, all while providing a natural, seamless look.
If you have a damaged or weak tooth, strengthen and enhance it by scheduling an appointment with us for a dental crown.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that encases a tooth, commonly used to restore a damaged tooth or enhance the appearance of a smile. Crowns can be made from three main materials: all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic. The choice of material depends on the location of the crown. For front teeth, an all-ceramic crown is often preferred due to its natural, lifelike appearance. For added durability, patients may opt for ceramic-on-metal crowns, which combine the natural look of ceramic with the strength of metal.
Before the Procedure
If you're getting dental crowns or a dental bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend whitening your teeth first. At Horizon Dental Designs, we offer teeth whitening services that can enhance your smile quickly and effectively. It's important to whiten your teeth before getting crowns or bridges because the materials used are both stain- and bleach-resistant. This means if your crowns or bridges are made to match yellowed teeth, they will remain yellow, even if you whiten your teeth later. Whitening first ensures that your new restoration will match your beautifully bright smile.
When preparing for the procedure, we suggest taking a day off from work, or even a couple of days if possible. Some tooth sensitivity is normal, and it's easier to manage if you don't have to juggle a busy schedule or meet with clients.
The Process of Getting Dental Crowns
When getting dental crowns or bridges, it's important to work with a skilled cosmetic dentist who can ensure the restoration looks natural. At Horizon Dental Designs, we prioritize not only achieving aesthetic results but also making the procedure as comfortable as possible through sedation dentistry. The process for both crowns and bridges is quite similar. First, an impression of your teeth is taken to create a custom crown or bridge in a dental lab.
For dental crowns, the first step involves preparing the tooth by removing a portion of the enamel to ensure there’s enough space for the crown without affecting surrounding teeth. After preparation, the tooth is cleaned, and a temporary crown is placed using removable glue. The temporary crown typically stays in place for about two weeks while the permanent crown is crafted in the lab. During this time, it's important to be cautious with eating and brushing, as the temporary crown is designed to come off.
Once the final crown or bridge is ready, you’ll return to our office for the placement. For crowns, we will securely bond the crown to the tooth. In the case of a dental bridge, crowns are placed on the two teeth adjacent to the gap. A synthetic "tooth" is placed in the middle, and the two crowns act as anchors, creating a durable and natural-looking replacement for the missing tooth.
This process provides a way to replace missing teeth, restoring both appearance and function, while ensuring that your new smile looks as natural as possible.
After the Procedure
After having your teeth prepared for dental restoratives, it's normal to experience some sensitivity. That's why a temporary crown is placed while your permanent restoration is being created. To ensure your comfort during the procedure, we use sedation dentistry, and any post-procedure discomfort can typically be managed with oral pain medication for a couple of days.
The main benefit of a dental crown is that it fully surrounds and protects the tooth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods without discomfort. Crowns restore functionality, making it easier to eat, drink, and speak naturally. They are ideal for those with sensitive, cracked, or chipped teeth, or after a root canal procedure. Similarly, dental bridges allow you to eat and speak confidently without worrying about the tooth becoming loose or falling out.
Both crowns and bridges are perfect for individuals with active lifestyles who don't want to be restricted by their dental health. To see if these restoratives are right for you, contact us at (813) 752-5600 to schedule a consultation. At Horizon Dental Designs, we make it easier for patients throughout Plant City to achieve a beautiful and functional smile.