Dental Crowns In Lexington
Dental crowns are the best choice for repairing damaged teeth in Lexington, and at Palmetto Dental Associates, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shull have years of experience placing custom-fitted dental crowns. With our crowns, you can restore the natural function of your bite, as well as its natural beauty. Learn more below, or contact us online to schedule an appointment right away.
What Is A Dental Crown?
Dental crowns or “caps” are prostheses that are designed to cover up damaged teeth. They are usually used to treat large cavities, to restore teeth that were broken or cracked due to dental trauma, or to protect teeth after root canal therapy.
The crown itself is a tooth-shaped dental prosthesis that covers and “caps” your entire tooth, which is why this treatment is also called a cap by some people. The crown essentially replaces your entire tooth with a false tooth, covering the natural tooth material all the way down to your gums.
This, in turn, protects your remaining tooth structure, which is trimmed to accommodate the crown. With a properly-fitted dental crown, your enamel will be protected from further damage and decay, which keeps your smile healthy and bright for years to come.
Overall, crowns are usually the best option for restoring a tooth that has been severely damaged. Whether you have a large cavity or your tooth has been broken due to a dental injury, a dental crown from Palmetto Dental Associates is a great option.
What Kind Of Material Is Used For Crowns?
Porcelain crowns are the most commonly used type of crown in dentistry today. Most dentists offer porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, as well as crowns that are created entirely from ceramic materials.
Porcelain is ideal for dental crowns because it closely imitates the natural shininess, luster, and appearance of enamel. It can also be chosen in a color that perfectly matches your adjacent teeth, which allows the crown to easily fit in with the surrounding teeth. This, in turn, creates a more even appearance.
However, crowns can also be made entirely out of metals like stainless steel or gold. Gold crowns, in particular, are extremely durable and long-lasting. However, as you might expect, metal crowns do not look like natural teeth at all, so many people will only choose to get a metal crown like a gold crown on one of their rear teeth.
How Long Does A Crown Usually Last?
This depends on how well you care for your crown. On average, a porcelain crown will last between 10-20 years. To make sure your crown lasts as long as possible, it’s important to brush and floss regularly and maintain good oral hygiene.
In addition to this, you should also come to Palmetto Dental Associates for regular six-month teeth cleanings and oral exams. This reduces your risk of gum disease and cavities, both of which can lead to premature crown failure. At your appointment, Dr. Shull and Dr. Thomas will be able to check on your natural teeth and your crown to make sure your mouth is healthy, and suggest follow-ups if there is any need to take further action to protect your oral health.
Before & Afters
Not all crowns are created equal. Patty had old porcelain crowns that did not fit the way they should; as a result, her gums stayed red and inflamed. She also did not like how yellow in color they were. The periodontal (gum) specialist in Lexington, SC referred her to our office to design new crowns that fit intimately and smooth at the margins so that her gums could heal and return to a healthy state. Upon placing her new ceramic crown, the difference could be seen immediately with gums that didn’t bleed and a smile that was radiant.
Thin enamel can cause many dental problems including cavities and increased wear and chipping. Alain took great care of his teeth but needed a treatment that could replace the lost enamel that was no longer protecting his teeth. Once enamel is worn away and the underlying dentin is exposed, teeth wear at a much more rapid rate - this can lead to sensitivity and even eventual root canals, with severe wear. All porcelain crowns were used to replace Alain's enamel and restore the natural beauty and function of his teeth for a great smile that remained masculine and natural.
As a child, Suzanne damaged her upper front permanent tooth in a fall. Over the years she had several tooth-colored fillings or “bondings” placed, but she was growing frustrated with the constant staining and chipping and wanted the tooth fixed properly before her wedding. Suzanne says she chose our office because she was aware of the difficulty of matching one crown to all other natural teeth, and that she wanted a dental team with a highly trained aesthetic eye and a phenomenal lab partner. We first whitened her teeth and then we used dental photography to relay the vital information on contour and shade to our lab. She is thrilled with the result and says her friends don’t even know she has a crown!
Susan wanted to protect her teeth from further chipping and wear. Over the years she noticed her smile change as her teeth lost their shape and the colors from her old crowns no longer matched. To restore the lost enamel, shape, and color we opted for porcelain crowns which add back strength to the weakened teeth. The crowns not only protect and restore her teeth, they also make them beautiful and give her the “wow” youthful smile she has always wanted.