When a tooth is damaged, there is always hope that it can heal on its own. Unfortunately, teeth do not heal or restore damaged enamel on their surface. However, we can help to protect and restore a tooth with a dental crown.
Dental crowns are a versatile treatment which can protect a weak tooth from infection, restore a damaged tooth, cover a dental implant, hold a dental bridge in place and provide a great, natural appearance. If you have a damaged or weak tooth, then strengthen and enhance that tooth by scheduling an appointment with us for a dental crown.
A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. We typically use a crown to restore a damaged tooth, but they can also use it to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can consist of three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal and all-ceramic. The location of the crown in the teeth will determine the best material to use. For example, front teeth need to have an all-ceramic crown, if possible, since it looks the most natural. Patients may often use ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look natural but have the durability that only metal can provide.
A dental bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. At North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we provide clients with dental bridges if they want to replace a tooth without wearing dentures or undergoing surgery. The new tooth is held in place by two crowns. It looks natural and consists of a ceramic or porcelain material to match the surrounding teeth. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Ashley Curington will make sure that the new tooth looks and feels amazing.
If you are getting dental crowns or a dental bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. At North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening procedures that can improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily. It is important to have this procedure done first because the material that crowns and bridges are made out of are both stain and bleach resistant. That means that if it is created to match yellow teeth, it will remain yellow even if you have your teeth whitened at a later date. When you have the procedure done first, your new crown or bridge will be made to match your new brilliantly white teeth. When preparing for the procedure, we recommend that patients take a day off of work. If possible, you may want to take a couple of days off. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive, and it is easier if you don’t have to worry about meeting clients and keeping up with your busy schedule.
When getting dental crowns and dental bridges installed, it is advisable that you work with a cosmetic dentist that knows how to complete the procedure in a way that looks natural. At North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we can do so while also working to keep our patients as comfortable as possible by using sedation dentistry. The process for both procedures is fairly similar. Before getting started, an impression is taken of the teeth so that the new crown or bridge can be created in a dental lab.
When placing a dental crown around a tooth, North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry starts by preparing the tooth. We will need to remove a portion of the enamel so that there is room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. Once complete, we will clean the tooth and secure a temporary crown to it using removable glue. Patients typically wear a temporary crown for around two weeks while waiting for a permanent one to be created in the lab. During this time, it is important to be careful with what you eat and how you brush your teeth since the temporary is designed to come off.
When the dental restoratives are complete, patients return to our Buford dentist office, so that we can remove the temporaries and bond the permanent ones to the tooth. For a dental crown, we will secure the cap around the tooth and complete it through dental bonding. With a bridge, a crown is placed on the two teeth that are surrounding the missing one. On top of the crown is a piece that looks like natural gums that will hold the new tooth in place. These two crowns serve as anchors for this synthetic “bridge” and makes a new tooth as durable as it can be. Patients depend on this procedure as a way to replace missing teeth in a way that looks natural and restores the functionality of the missing tooth.
When getting dental Restoratives, your teeth will be somewhat sensitive after they have been prepared. This is why you need to wear a temporary crown while waiting for a permanent one to be created. We use sedation dentistry to ensure that you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure and after the fact you simply need to take some oral pain medication for a couple of days until you feel better.
The benefit of wearing a crown is that it surrounds and protects the tooth. This means that regardless of how damaged the tooth was, you can eat your favorite foods without fear of discomfort. A crown can restore the functionality of your mouth by making it easy to eat, drink and speak like normal. This is ideal for people that are suffering from severely sensitive teeth, have a cracked or chipped tooth or have undergone a root canal. Similarly, a bridge makes it possible to eat and speak like normal without worrying about your new tooth becoming loose or falling out. They are both ideal for people that have active lifestyles and don't want to be constrained by their teeth. To find out if the procedure is right for you, call 770-932-1115 to schedule an appointment with us and discuss your options.
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
