In our last blog, our team discussed how a composite resin dental filling treats a cavity. But what if you have an infected tooth, or one that is cracked or chipped? In today’s blog, your Allen, TX, dentist will explain how we use lifelike materials to create a natural-looking crown to not only repair teeth, but to even help replace them!
Creating Dental Restorations
Each one is custom-made, not only to ensure a lifelike appearance, but to preserve (or improve) your bite balance, preventing complications like TMD or bruxism. We start by examining your smile to assess the cause and severity of the damage or decay. If we decide a crown is the best option, we will administer a numbing agent and then remove structure from the tooth. Afterward, we take detailed digital images of your tooth, which we combine to create a 3D model. In a dental lab setting, the model and the measurements allow us to design and craft the finished product with precision and accuracy. You then return for a second visit, in which we check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and then place the finished product with a powerful bonding agent.
Porcelain and Zirconia
For the front-facing teeth, we often recommend porcelain. Not only does the material absorb daily bite forces and pressure, but porcelain can be color-matched to blend with your smile and contains stain-resistant properties. Since the side and rear teeth must endure even greater levels of pressure, our team will often recommend zirconia. A stronger material, zirconia still has the ability to be color-matched and blend with the smile, so you can obtain a lifelike restoration regardless of which tooth in your smile requires treatment.
Preserving Your Newly Restored Smile
To keep your new restoration bright and strong, and to safeguard the rest of your smile, you need to maintain poor oral hygiene habits. For example, be sure you brush and floss your teeth daily, which removes food and drink particles to prevent plaque buildup, cavities, and gingivitis. See us every six months too, so we can examine your smile to keep an eye on your oral health, and also remove all plaque and tartar thoroughly with a cleaning. If you have any questions about how we repair and restore a tooth, or about the fabrication and placement of our lifelike porcelain or zirconia crowns, then contact our team today.
Do You Need a Restoration?
When a tooth is damaged or decayed, then we can prevent complications with a lifelike and durable treatment option, one that could last for decades to come. To learn more about how we restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile, then contact Allen Family Dental in Allen, TX today by calling 469-342-6644.
