When teeth are damaged due to injury or tooth decay, you might worry that the tooth cannot be saved. Dental crowns are a popular treatment for repairing damaged teeth to prevent tooth extraction, allowing you to chew and bite normally without suffering from pain or a gap in your smile. New Bern, NC dentist Dr. J. Stephen Hoard offers comfortable, natural-looking dental crowns to patients dealing with missing teeth or even as part of a cosmetic treatment plan. Here are the top 5 benefits of dental crowns.
1. Crowns relieve tooth pain.
Dr. Hoard often uses dental crowns to complete a restorative treatment, repairing damage to a tooth’s enamel or structure. If you suffer from extensive decay, an infection of a tooth’s root, or injury to your tooth enamel such as a fracture, chip, or break, you may feel pain when you eat or drink. If the issue is severe enough, you may have constant discomfort. Once Dr. Hoard addresses the underlying issue with your tooth with an appropriate treatment (filling, root canal, etc.), the remaining portion of the tooth may still be vulnerable to further damage or discomfort. A dental crown can protect your tooth against further damage while also reducing sensitivity.
2. Crowns are a simple treatment.
You might think that getting dental crowns is a complicated or intense procedure. In reality, this treatment is minimally invasive and relatively straightforward. Once your enamel is cleaned and the damaged parts removed, Dr. Hoard will gently shape your tooth so that it can securely hold a crown. Next, he will make a mold of your tooth from which your crown will be cast. This process will usually take about two weeks. You will be given a temporary crown in the meantime. When it’s ready, Dr. Hoard will place it over your prepared tooth and it will be held in place with a strong bonding cement.
3. Dental crowns are custom-designed for every patient.
Dr. Hoard and our dental lab team will design your dental crown according to the shape, size, and hue of your existing tooth. Once the slight soreness around the area subsides, you will most likely forget you even have a crown and most people probably won’t be able to notice unless you tell them.
4. Crowns can restore your natural appearance.
Dental crowns are mainly intended to restore teeth to health and relieve dental discomfort, but they also offer numerous cosmetic benefits. Because they fit over the existing tooth, they can instantly correct discoloration, staining, misshapen teeth, crookedness, chips, cracks, fractures, and more. Therefore, they can be used to correct some purely cosmetic issues, much like porcelain veneers cosmetic bonding, however, this may not be covered by your insurance. Consult with Dr. Hoard’s dedicated staff about what your insurance will and will not cover.
5. Crowns last many years.
Dr. Hoard uses strong materials to create our patients’ dental crowns. With conscientious care such as daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine examinations and cleanings, these prosthetic teeth can last between 15 and 30 years.
Enjoy the Advantages of Dental Crowns
Whether you need to replace an existing cap or have a tooth that needs a crown, New Bern, NC dentist Dr. Stephen Hoard can create a custom dental crown that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Call our office at (252) 507-0373 or schedule your appointment online today.