Month: July 2019

Dental crowns help to restore compromised teeth that have broken, cracked or fractured. Oftentimes, a crown is recommended after having a root canal, since the tooth is susceptible to breaking and chipping. Crowns are made to look like your natural teeth and are crafted from materials that are able to withstand quite a lot of pressure and force. Your crown isn’t just an aesthetic option for your smile, but it can even help in restoring overall functioning when eating, chewing and biting into foods.

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a small restoration that fits over an existing tooth. Oftentimes, crowns are recommended if a tooth has cracked, broken or has severely fractured. Crowns can be made of porcelain, ceramic and even have a metal base to make them more secure. These crowns are known as PFM or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Regardless of the material being used to make the crown, the restoration is natural and realistic-looking so that it helps to enhance your smile and correct dentition problems.

How Long Will Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns can last for anywhere from 10 to 20 years with proper care. However, it’s not uncommon for patients to have dental crowns that are older than 20 years because of taking good care of the restoration. Certain things will affect how long your crown will last. For example, if you smoke, have gum disease and do not brush and floss daily, you may find that your restoration lasts for only a few years before it will need to be replaced. Most dental crowns are long-lasting and highly durable restorations that can improve dentition and overall functioning of the tooth.

How to Extend the Life of Your Dental Crown

The best way for you to extend the life of your crown is to keep up with regular dental appointments. The appointments help to check for signs of decay underneath the crown, which could cause the restoration to become loose. Brushing and flossing daily is important in extending the life of your crown and keeping it looking its best. Crowns that have cracked or broken should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse. You can expect many years of good use with your new dental crown and can enjoy a smile that is full, bright and beautiful thanks to the help of dental restorations.

Dental implants can replace a single tooth as well as an entire arch of teeth with the help of a denture prosthesis. Implants have quickly become the go-to alternative for many other procedures and it is why so many patients have benefited from them. Dental implants are easy to place and take just a few months to fully heal and bond with surrounding bone. They can last for up to 30 years before needing replacement or repair.

Understanding How Implants Work

Implants rely on a bodily process known as osseointegration. This simply means that the surrounding bone will naturally fuse with the implant’s post over the course of three to six months. Osseointegration keeps the implant in place, giving it a secure and firm hold in the mouth and providing a stable abutment for crowns, bridge work and even dentures. The surgery itself is easy and straightforward, with most patients being good candidates for the procedure. If there isn’t enough bone in the area that will be receiving the implant, you may need a bone graft.

Are They As Good As Real Teeth?

Dental implants are securely placed deep into the bone of the jaw and given several months to bond fully with the bone. This allows the implant to act like the natural roots of your teeth, securely fitted deep into the jaw and providing an abutment for any type of restoration to be placed on top. The restoration, whether it’s a crown, bridge or denture, will all be made to fit your mouth perfectly. They look and feel like real teeth so that oral functioning is restored and you can enjoy a full, beautiful smile. Because implants don’t compromise surrounding teeth like a fixed bridge would, they can blend seamlessly into the rest of your smile and look completely natural. They are just as good as real teeth but without all of the problems that may come with natural teeth, like cavities and the need for fillings and root canals.

How to Maintain Your Implants

After you’ve had implants placed, you will need to come in regularly to ensure they’re healing properly and bonding with the surrounding bone. Once the actual procedure has been completed successfully, you should still make time to come in for your regular bi-annual appointments. These appointments enable us to check the implants for any signs of damage so that treatment can be provided immediately. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy while wearing implants helps to extend their lifespan.