Beautiful, Versatile Restorations For A Fuller, Healthier Smile
What do you do when one or more of your teeth becomes damaged? There are numerous ways to treat a damaged tooth, and a common link that helps make some of these methods so effective is the use of porcelain crowns. At Legacy Dental, damaged teeth can be restored or replaced with these versatile restorations.
What Are Porcelain Crowns?
Porcelain Crowns are tooth-shaped, cap-like restorations with hollow openings. Using porcelain for the crowns helps our dentists better customize them to match your natural smile. They can be used by themselves to restore a tooth or as part of various restorative treatments including root canal therapy and dental implants.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns can aid your oral health and the appearance of your smile by offering some of the following benefits:
- Helps prevent further damage and infection
- Addresses problems including decay, cracks, weakness, missized teeth, and poor roots
- Restores the look of your tooth
- Stain resistant
- Durable
- Lifelike
- Beautifies your smile
The Porcelain Crown Process
Receiving treatment with a porcelain crown happens in steps, which gives us time to determine if crowns are right for you, prepare your teeth, and manufacture your restoration. Here’s what you can usually expect:
Initial Consultation
Before you can be approved for treatment with a porcelain crown, you’ll undergo a consultation with your dentist, Dr Loiseau. Your dentist will determine if a crown is right for you by examining your mouth, reviewing your medical history and asking you questions about what you’re hoping for from the procedure.
We can also offer sedation dentistry options to help alleviate dental anxiety and keep you calm and comfortable during your procedure. If your dentist decides a porcelain crown is a good treatment option for you, we’ll schedule your next appointment.
Preparation
We’ll apply a local anesthetic to the soft tissues around the affected tooth. Then, your dentist will shape the tooth into a base for the porcelain crown by removing some of its enamel. Once your tooth is shaped, we’ll take images and impressions of your teeth. These will be sent to a special off-site laboratory where they will serve as the blueprints for your crown.
Installing Your Temporary Crown
A temporary crown will be placed to protect the tooth until your permanent crown is ready. Expect your permanent crown to take an average of two weeks before it’s completed. Your dentist can take any feedback you give him about your temporary crown to make any necessary alterations to the design of your permanent porcelain crown.
Installing Your Permanent Crown
At your next appointment, your temporary crown will be removed. Your dentist will make sure your permanent crown is to your liking before cementing it into place with a special dental adhesive. Once your crown is securely and comfortably in place, you can start enjoying your new smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact cost of your porcelain crown will vary based on factors such as how many you need, the type of treatment you’re undergoing, and your insurance. Please call your insurance provider beforehand and ask them which costs they can cover. Rest assured that Dr. Loiseau and the staff at Legacy Dental want you to receive the best care possible, so we’ll work with you to help you afford your treatment.
Porcelain crowns are designed to last 15 years, but they can last upwards of 30 years with proper oral hygiene and regular exams from Dr. Loiseau. Be sure to return to Legacy Dental at least once every six months, or as instructed so your dentist can help you maintain your restoration and your overall oral health.
Porcelain is non-porous, which provides stain resistance. However, that non-porous quality also means porcelain crowns can’t be whitened. If your crown becomes stained, the only way to restore your smile’s appearance will be to replace the crown. If you want to undergo teeth whitening, your dentist recommends you do so before you receive your porcelain crown, so we can make sure it matches your new smile.
In some cases porcelain crowns can be repaired. If your crown breaks, don’t attempt to fix it yourself as this can further damage the crown, or hurt your oral health. Instead, call Legacy Dental’s Moses Lake office by dialing (509) 765-1748 and schedule an appointment. Bring the pieces of your crown with you to your appointment in a clear plastic bag and your dentist will decide if the crown should be repaired or replaced.
Interested in Beautiful, Versatile Porcelain Crowns? Call Legacy Dental!
If you’re interested in lifelike, versatile dental restorations and need your teeth repaired or replaced, porcelain crowns may be right for you. To learn more about crowns, call Legacy Dental’s Moses Lake office by dialing (509) 765-1748 and schedule an appointment. You can also request a consultation by filling out the form in the upper right hand corner or clicking the button below.
Dr. Loiseau has won numerous awards for his accomplishments in the field of dentistry. Dr. Loiseau and the rest of the team at Legacy Dental proudly offer their services to patients across Moses Lake, as well as neighboring areas such as Royal City, Ephrata, and Sprague. We look forward to helping you smile your brightest and feel your best!