At the Orlando dental office of John E. Russo, DMD, we are dedicated to helping patients keep their smiles healthy with regular preventive dental checkups and teeth cleanings. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. When tooth decay or damage occurs, we also provide a wide range of restorative dentistry services to repair your smile and restore the look, feel, and function of damaged teeth. One of the restorative dentistry services we use most often is dental crowns. Dental crowns allow us to repair your smile following significant damage. If you need help repairing your smile, call our office to get started today. Dr. Russo and his team look forward to helping you achieve and maintain your healthiest, most beautiful smile!
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a cap, is a restoration that fits completely over the top of your damaged tooth. This replaces the lost parts of the tooth as well as protects any remaining dental structure. Dental crowns are crafted from a number of different materials, including gold, porcelain fused to metal, all-ceramic, and zirconia. This restoration is generally recommended for patients with the following situations:
Having a dental crown placed is relatively straightforward. It can usually be completed in just two visits to our practice. The first step involves examining your smile to ensure that a dental crown is the best solution for you. Once this is confirmed by your dentist, a thin layer of the enamel needs to be removed. This creates room for the crown to fit comfortably in the mouth and appear natural. An impression is then taken and sent to a dental laboratory where your crown will be crafted.
In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary crown. This will protect your teeth and help you become accustomed to how your new dental crown will feel. As soon as your final restoration is complete, you will come back to the practice where it will be adhered using a special dental cement.
There are all sorts of benefits you can expect from your new dental crown. Here are just some of the most prominent ones:
Do you need to get a dental crown in Orlando? If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, the restoration can help restore your oral health while simultaneously improving your appearance. Although Dr. Russo may have already explained the benefits of a dental crown, it’s completely normal to still have a few questions in mind. Below, you can review our answers to some of the most common questions we get from patients about this restorative treatment. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to give our friendly team a call today!
Most patients can expect their dental crown to last anywhere between five and 15 years. Of course, the exact lifespan can vary depending on several factors (i.e., material, oral hygiene, lifestyle). Metal crowns typically last longer than metal-free ones, although the difference is often negligible. It’s also worth noting that crowns placed on front teeth may last longer than those on molars because they’re not subjected to as much wear and tear from chewing. To ensure your crowned tooth lasts as long as possible, you should take practice good oral hygiene and visit Dr. Russo every six months.
While a dental crown itself can’t develop cavities, the underlying tooth is still at risk. If you fail to practice good oral hygiene, bacteria and plaque can accumulate around the gum line where the tooth meets the crown. You can easily lower your risk of cavities by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash. It’s also incredibly important to visit Dr. Russo regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
Not necessarily, but you should still contact your dentist and schedule an appointment within a few days. If the underlying tooth has sharp edges, it could harm your soft oral tissues. In that case, you may be seen much sooner to keep your mouth safe. Until your appointment, you can use orthodontic wax or a piece of sugar-free gum to cover the jagged edges. Make sure you bring the crown with you to your appointment as there’s a chance Dr. Russo may be able to simply bond it to your tooth again.
Just like when you get a filling, Dr. Russo will numb your mouth before he begins working on your crown. While the procedure itself shouldn’t be painful, you may experience some sensitivity for a few days afterward, especially if you’ve also received a root canal. This is usually mild and can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Because crowns protect vulnerable teeth from damage, they can help to prevent discomfort later on.