Although tooth enamel is very strong, there are some cases when it becomes damaged and patients have to decide between dental crowns and a tooth extraction. A dental crown is a procedure that can both save an existing tooth and also repair it to restore its functionality.
Crowns are custom-made by dentists to resemble your existing teeth and restore the damaged tooth from the chewing surface down to the gum line.
Dr. John and Dr. Sara Gotwalt can create and place crowns for their patients for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Although you might have heard of dental crowns before, you may not fully understand how they can help your teeth look and function better.
At our Lititz, PA dental practice, the Drs. Gotwalt want their patients to understand the treatment options available to them and their advantages. Read on to learn about the various benefits of dental crowns and how they can help restore your oral health
1. Dental crowns help relieve discomfort.
Dentists often utilize dental crowns to complete a restorative treatment, repairing damage to a tooth’s enamel or structure. If your teeth have extensive decay, an infected root, or an injury to your tooth enamel such as a fracture, chip, or break, you may experience pain when you eat or drink. If the damage is severe enough, you may have constant discomfort.
Once your dentist addresses the underlying issue with your tooth with an appropriate treatment (filling, root canal, etc.), the remaining portion of the tooth may still be vulnerable to further damage or discomfort. A dental crown will protect your tooth against additional damage while also reducing sensitivity.
2. Crowns are a simple procedure.
It might seem like getting dental crowns would be a complicated procedure, but in reality, this treatment is minimally invasive and relatively simple. Once your enamel is cleaned and the damaged parts removed, Dr. Gotwalt will shape your tooth so that it can securely hold a crown. Then, he or she will take a mold of your tooth from which your crown will be cast. This process will usually take about two weeks but your dentist will place a temporary crown for you to use in the meantime. When it’s ready, Dr. Gotwalt will place it over your prepared tooth and it will be held in place with a strong bonding cement.
3. They’re custom-made for you.
Dr. Gotwalt and our dental lab team will design your dental crown so that it matches the shape, size, and color of your existing tooth. Once the slight soreness around the site of the placement subsides, you will most likely forget you even have a crown and most people probably won’t notice anything amiss unless you tell them.
4. Dental crowns can restore the appearance of teeth.
An unintended side effect of a dental crown is that they also restore your smile’s appearance as they restore its’ health. Although dental crowns are meant to repair teeth and relieve dental pain and sensitivity, they can also correct misshapen teeth, discoloration, chips, cracks, or fractures. Sometimes dentists suggest crowns as a cosmetic treatment, like porcelain veneers.
An individual consultation with Dr. Gotwalt or your area dentist will help you decide what treatment is best for you. Consult with Dr. Gotwalt’s dedicated staff about what your insurance will and will not cover.
5. Crowns last many years.
The Drs. Gotwalt uses strong materials to create our patients’ dental crowns. With conscientious care such as daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine examinations and cleanings at Dr. Gotwalt’s office or your area dentist, these prosthetic teeth can last between 15 and 30 years.
Enjoy the Advantages of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can help you restore and enhance your smile and Drs. John and Sara Gotwalt would like to help you receive these benefits if you need them. If you’re in the Lititz, PA area, contact us online or call 717-220-4651 to find out more about these treatments or any others or to schedule a routine cleaning.