Restoring Tooth Strength, Shape, and Function: Dental Crowns at Gentle Dental
Gentle Dental provides high-quality dental crowns to restore weakened, chipped, or compromised teeth. When you have a chipped tooth, a cracked tooth, or a post-root-canal restoration, our dentists create uniquely personalized crowns to support your tooth without altering its natural structure.
With locations in Topsham and Biddeford, Gentle Dental makes receiving restorative dental care from skilled professionals in a sophisticated, relaxed setting convenient for patients across Southern Maine.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a fixed prosthesis worn to cover or cap a cracked or decayed tooth. Shaped to fit against your teeth, a crown restores strength and saves the natural tooth underneath. Crowns are used in various dental procedures, from repairing a broken tooth to crowning a dental implant.
Crowns can be built using various materials depending on durability, appearance, and location in the mouth. Typical materials include porcelain, ceramic, composite resin, metal alloys, or a combination. Each crown in Gentle Dental is built to meet the patient's functional and cosmetic requirements.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
Dental crowns are reliable when a tooth has suffered extensive damage that cannot be repaired with a standard filling. Crowns are primarily used to fix the following:
- Tooth Decay beyond Filling Repair: Decay is too much for a simple filling to be effective because it will prevent the tooth structure from further weakening.
- Worn-out or Cracked Teeth: Worn-out or cracked teeth are supported by the complete coverage of a crown.
- Following a Root Canal: Because the root canal procedure removes the inner pulp of a tooth, the outer layer usually needs to be strengthened. A crown supports the tooth.
- Large Fillings: Large fillings compromise the structural integrity of teeth. A crown supports and enhances function.
- Dental Bridges Support: Crowns are cemented to anchorage teeth to support a bridge stably.
- Dental Implant Coverage: Crowns are cemented on dental implants to restore teeth's function and provide the final completeness of the restoration.
- Improving Misshapen or Highly Discolored Teeth: Crowns may enhance the shape and appearance of single teeth that do not respond favorably to other cosmetic restorative techniques.
The Dental Crown Procedure at Gentle Dental
Having a dental crown is generally a two-visit process. Our process is accurate, efficient, and done for your comfort from start to finish.
First Visit – Preparation and Diagnosis
- The process starts with a thorough examination and digital X-rays to determine tooth and bone health.
- Suppose a root canal is needed because of infection or extensive decay. In that case, it is completed first to clean out bacteria from the pulp chamber.
- Once the tooth is ready to be filled, our dentist will shape it carefully to make room for the crown.
- With current dental materials or computer scanners, an impression is taken. That will guarantee that your permanent crown will fit perfectly without altering your bite.
- The temporary crown is fitted to cover the prepared tooth until your permanent crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory.
Second Visit – Crowning
- Your temporary crown is taken out, and your permanent crown is examined for fit, function, and shape.
- After we check that all the pieces fit well, the crown is cemented with firm dental-grade cement.
- We make any last adjustments and polish the crown to blend in with the rest of the teeth.
- Our staff instructs you on caring for your new crown through proper oral hygiene and dental examination habits.
Types of Crowns Offered
At Gentle Dental, we assist you in selecting the best crown material for your situation based on the location of the tooth, the forces that the tooth will experience, and your preference for aesthetics.
- Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns: Cosmetic and natural-looking, ideal for front teeth or visible areas.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns: These combine the strength of metal with the appearance of porcelain, making them suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Gold and Metal Alloy Crowns: Strong and durable, metal crowns are ideal for molars that need to be very strong.
- Composite Resin Crowns: These are affordable and have a nice look, but they may not be quite as long-lasting in the long run.
Post-Treatment Care and Durability
Crowns are incredibly long-lasting, and with reasonable care, crowns will remain intact for 10 to 15 years or even more. Proper oral hygiene will ensure the health of the tooth under the crown. As part of the care offered by Gentle Dental, we give you specific guidelines and preventive care instructions.
Some critical care instructions are:
- Brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing gently along the crown, not to create plaque
- Avoiding sticky or hard foods that loosen or crack the crown
- Regular checkups at a dental clinic for professional cleaning and monitoring
Assembling Crowns with Other Procedures
Dental crowns are typically combined with other restorations or endodontic procedures:
- Root Canal Therapy
Following a root canal, the tooth's remaining portion is brittle. A crown is a cover cap that holds everything together and restores the tooth.
- Dental Bridges
Crowns are put on either side of the tooth to support the prosthetic tooth in replacing a missing tooth.
- Dental Implants
Following the insertion of a titanium post and its anchoring into the bone, a crown is added to finish the process.
Why Select Gentle Dental for Crowns?
- Trusted Experts
Our clinicians have extensive experience behind each procedure. They are professionally educated in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. We stay current with continuing education and the newest materials and placement methods.
- Patient-Centered Care
We prioritize patient comfort and integrity at every stage of the dental crown process. From consultation to follow-up, our staff is committed to providing personalized care in a supportive, respectful setting.
- Modern Technology
Our offices feature the latest impression, imaging, and treatment planning equipment. This enhances crown accuracy, reduces appointment time, and enhances long-term success.
Book Your Dental Crown Appointment
Dental crowns are reliable for restoring, strengthening, and safeguarding broken teeth. At Gentle Dental, we pride ourselves on delivering professionally made crowns that are comfortable to wear, look natural, and ensure long-term oral health in Topsham ME and in Biddeford ME.
