Dental Crowns – Burien, WA
Reliable Repair for Damaged Teeth
At Seahurst Park Dentistry of Burien, we always try to use the most conservative treatment possible in order to preserve your natural tooth structure. However, sometimes fillings just aren’t enough to revitalize a tooth. Fortunately, you can get dental crowns in Burien, WA made of the finest materials and customized just for your mouth. Do you have a tooth in serious need of help? Dr. Thomas and the rest of our team are here to make sure your smile is complete and healthy again. Read on to learn about dental crowns, and give us a call to schedule your consultation!
Why Choose Seahurst Park Dentistry of Burien for Dental Crowns?
- Metal-Free Materials Available
- Highly Trained, Compassionate Dentist
- In-Network with Many Insurance Providers
How We Use Dental Crowns
Compared to many other dental treatments, dental crowns are very versatile and can be utilized in many situations. Our high-quality dental crowns perform the following functions:
- Restore a tooth that has been badly damaged by decay.
- Replace the top of a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy.
- Cover a weak, broken, or cracked tooth.
- Reshape a small or misshapen tooth.
- Be attached to a dental implant to replace the crown of a single missing tooth.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Regardless of the type of dental crown you receive (e.g., porcelain or metal), it is designed to withstand the biting force needed to grind your food, allowing you to enjoy a nutritious diet with strong teeth. With the proper care, these durable restorations can last for up to 15 years or even longer before requiring replacement.
For porcelain crowns, we can match the color of the crown to the surrounding teeth. We also personalize the shape of the crown to look like natural enamel. That way, you and everyone who sees your smile will find it hard to distinguish the restoration from the real thing. As a result, you can smile widely with confidence.
Treatment Process for Dental Crowns
After Dr. Thomas has determined that a dental crown is necessary for your smile, he’ll “prepare the tooth,” which means he’ll remove all decayed portions and extra bits of enamel to make room for the crown. Then, we’ll take an impression of your teeth for the dental lab. While they fabricate your custom restoration, you’ll wear a temporary crown, which we will remove once the permanent one is ready. You’ll then return to our dental office, so Dr. Thomas can affix the crown in place and make any final adjustments.
Dental Crown Frequently Asked Questions
Have you never received a dental crown before? While dental crowns are effective at resolving many problems with natural teeth and play a major role in several dental treatments, we understand if you have questions about an upcoming procedure or want to make sure you know all your options ahead of time. At Seahurst Park Dentistry of Burien, we’re happy to provide a list of the most common questions our dental office hears regarding dental crowns.
Does it hurt to receive a dental crown?
Prior to dental crown placement, our dental office provides a local anesthetic to the treatment area in order to remove any and all sensations during the procedure. That means that receiving a dental crown should be virtually pain-free. However, those who are feeling particularly anxious about dental crown placement are welcome to consider our dental office’s multiple sedation options as well.
Do I still need to brush a crown?
Absolutely! It’s true that dental crowns are made from inorganic material (such as porcelain), but that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t brush them regularly. For example, bacteria and plaque can still get underneath the crown, which means the gums and natural tooth can continue to develop plaque and cause irritation.
Will my dental crown look lifelike?
While some dental crowns are made from metal materials like amalgam in order to remain durable in the long-term, our dental office opts for translucent ceramics like porcelain when providing dental restorations. This ensures that your crown looks as natural as possible, especially when compared to your existing teeth. We also custom-shade the crown so that it does not stick out in your smile. Just keep in mind that dental crowns do not respond to cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, so you’ll need to practice regular oral care to keep them free of stains.
What does a crown feel like?
Dental crowns are designed to feel as natural as they look once they are placed. This is because they are highly customized to attach to natural teeth and keep your bite even. Even though we choose not to use metal, you can expect your crown to be very durable and withstand the daily pressures of chewing and grinding for many years. Our team will take the time to make adjustments to your crown prior to placing it so it not only looks as natural as possible, but feels comfortable when you bite down as well.
Can’t I have a dental filling instead?
Dental fillings are generally reserved for teeth that do not have as much damage to them, either due to decay or physical injury. If our dental office recommends a dental crown over a filling, it’s because a filling is not enough to prevent future fracture of a tooth or prevent bacteria from causing long-term complications. The general rule-of-thumb is if a dental filling is restoring two-thirds or more of a tooth, a dental crown should be used instead.
