Your front teeth’s health and appearance play a huge part in both your self-confidence and overall well-being. Unfortunately, there are various reasons why we may be unhappy with the way out front teeth look and, while good dental hygiene practices can protect your teeth from decay, sometimes to achieve the smile you want, procedures like dental crowns, bridges, dental bonding, and teeth whitening are necessary.
Reasons for Crowning a Front Tooth
More often than not, dental crowns are not used on front teeth purely for cosmetic reasons. Instead, they are typically employed when some form of restoration is needed, for example, if the tooth is broken, cracked, chipped, or extremely decayed. In some instances, if you have had a root canal, your dentist may recommend fitting a dental crown.
Crowns are tooth-colored caps that cover the front and back of your teeth and can protect your teeth, as well as improving the way they look. Some patients looking for cosmetic dental treatment, rather than fixing a structural issue, will opt for veneers. Veneers are only attached to the front surface of your teeth.
Material and Aesthetics of Your Dental Crown
When crowning a molar, your dentist will often use crowns made from metal alloys. This is because your molars do most of the chewing work and are under the most pressure, and so require exceptionally strong crowns.
Front teeth, on the other hand, are your most visible teeth, so aesthetics are essential. Ceramic porcelain crowns are ideal for this job; their natural, tooth-like appearance blends perfectly with your natural teeth. In fact, your crown will be 100% customized for you, meaning it will look and feel great.
Because your dental crown will be made to match your other teeth, if you have been considering undergoing teeth whitening treatment, it’s a good idea to have it before your crown is fitted so that it will blend with your newly whitened teeth.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Once you and your Dr. Owens DDS have established that you are a good candidate for a front tooth crown, you can start the process of having it prepared and fitted. This procedure is usually completed over two visits.
During the first visit, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by shaping it. The tooth must be shaped so that the crown can fit onto it properly. Your dentist will then take a mold of your teeth. This mold will be sent to the lab, where they will create a crown that fits your teeth and gums and matches your natural tooth color. You will be fitted with a temporary crown that you will wear until your second appointment, so the newly shaped tooth isn’t exposed.
About two weeks after the initial appointment, your permanent crown will be fitted. Before anything is finalized, your dentist ensures that the color, shape, and fit of the crown is right, that you are comfortable with it, and that you leave with a beautiful smile.
Dental Crown Care
Some patients are concerned that having a dental crown will involve extra maintenance and care; however, this is not the case. The steps you should take to look after your front tooth crown are the same as those you take to care of your natural teeth. Maintaining oral hygiene means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and making regular trips to your dentist.
You should avoid anything which will stain your teeth as, while your ceramic porcelain crown will not stain easily, it will stand out against newly discolored teeth. You should also avoid biting onto hard objects such as hard candy and ice and opening bottles with your teeth. This is true for natural and crowned teeth.
Love Your Smile
Now that you’ve learned all about dental crowns, if you think they could be for you, why not book a consultation with Scott J Owens DDS Cosmetic & Family Dentists, experts in cosmetic dentistry?
Our talented dental professionals are passionate about making our patients love their teeth. Call (248) 626-0772 to schedule an appointment today and start your journey to a better smile.
If you're considering ways to restore your teeth and enhance your smile, then you have two great options with crowns Read more
There is nothing quite like seeing the beaming smile of someone you love. Whether it is your parent, partner, young Read more
Dental crowns are a popular way to fix a broken tooth. Crowns are caps that are placed on top of Read more
Dentists often recommend dental crowns as a restorative treatment for damaged, weakened, or discolored teeth. Whether your teeth are damaged Read more