Everything You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

If you are looking to save a tooth that has been severely damaged, you may be discussing dental crowns with us soon. A dental crown is a cap that is placed on top of a damaged tooth. This cap is tooth-shaped and is used to cover, protect and restore the function and appearance of teeth.

When is a Dental Crown Needed?

Dental crowns are needed to:

• Cap a decayed or damaged tooth

• Protect teeth after a dental implant

• Protect teeth after a root canal treatment

• Hold together a tooth that is cracked

• Hold dental bridges in place

• Improve discolored teeth

Depending on your specific situation, our doctors will suggest a crown material from the following crown types:

• Ceramic

• Porcelain fused to metal

• Porcelain

• Metal

Dental Crown Preparation

We conduct a few steps to assess and trim your tooth for a dental crown. Patients who have deep cavities need to have a root canal treatment performed first. In addition, if there isn’t much of the original tooth left above the gum line, we might use a filler material to build a foundation for the dental crown.

Under normal circumstances, getting a crown requires a minimum of two visits. During the first appointment, we might trim your tooth down so that the dental crown can fit comfortably. A dental impression is then taken for the formation of the crown.

A temporary crown is then fitted on the tooth. Lastly, the dental laboratory uses the impression to make the final crown. At your next appointment, our dentist will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one.

Once the crown is in place, you might experience some sensitivity, which often means that the crown needs further adjustment. Make sure to brush and floss regularly so that your gum line and crown remain healthy and in optimal conditions.

To schedule an appointment with us and benefit from high-quality dental services, contact our offices in Milwaukie or Oregon City today!

How Caring for Veneers is Different Than Your Original Teeth

Porcelain veneers are thin covers that go over your natural teeth and conceal chips, gaps, or discrepancies in tooth size, shape, or color. Even though veneers are highly durable and look very natural, they are different from your original teeth and require slightly different care. If they are properly maintained, your veneers should last ten to fifteen years.

How to Care for Porcelain Veneers

The most important aspect of caring for your veneers is the same as for your original teeth: practice good oral hygiene. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once, and always keep up with your regular dental checkups. However, when you have porcelain veneers you have to pay slightly more attention to the oral hygiene products you are using. You should always use a toothbrush with soft bristles, as hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage the polish on your veneers. You should steer clear of toothpastes containing harsh abrasives, which can also be damaging.

There are also some habits you should avoid in order to keep your veneers looking as flawless as possible. Veneers are not as strong as natural teeth, so they can chip or even break if you chew on hard objects like pencils, ice, or bones. Even biting your fingernails can chip or scratch your veneers. Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth can potentially damage your veneers as well, and these habits are harmful for your overall dental health even if you do not have veneers. When it comes to staining, most porcelain veneers are stain-resistant but the adhesive used is not, meaning that certain drinks like coffee and tea can cause discoloration around the edges of your veneers – use a straw to minimize the contact these drinks have with your teeth and prevent staining. Finally, smoking can stain or discolor veneers, on top of the many other serious health issues smoking can cause.

If you are interested in getting veneers or have questions about caring for your veneers, call our Milwaukie or Oregon City offices today. We want to help you keep your veneers as long as possible.

Contact Our Offices

Milwaukie: (503) 855-0465
Oregon City: (503) 765-7185
Mobile Dental Clinic: (503) 653-9334