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Dental Crowns in Chandler & Ahwatukee, AZ

Two convenient Phoenix locations

Rush Family Dental provides dental crowns in Phoenix with locations in Ahwatukee and Chandler.

Our dental crowns are designed to restore the function and appearance of your teeth, ensuring a natural look and feel. We use the latest technology and materials to create durable and aesthetically pleasing crowns that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Our team is dedicated to providing quality dental care, ensuring that each patient receives comprehensive treatment that addresses both cosmetic and general dental needs. We also offer a free consultation for new patients to discuss their dental needs and explore treatment options.

What Are Dental Crowns and Tooth Shaped Caps?

Dental crowns are a versatile and essential component of restorative dentistry, designed to cover and protect a damaged tooth or weakened tooth. Essentially, a dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, and function. These crowns can be crafted from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and metal, each chosen to match the natural color and appearance of your surrounding teeth. The primary purpose of a dental crown is to act as a protective barrier, shielding the tooth from further decay, damage, or infection. Additionally, dental crowns enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the tooth, ensuring a natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with your smile.

Benefits and Uses of Dental Crowns for Damaged Teeth

Dental crowns offer a multitude of benefits and uses, making them a popular choice for addressing various dental issues. Here are some of the key advantages:

Restoring Damaged or Weakened Teeth: Dental crowns are ideal for covering and protecting teeth that have been compromised by decay, cracks, or fractures. By doing so, they prevent further deterioration and potential tooth loss. Addressing these damages promptly is crucial for better oral health.
Improving Appearance: If you have teeth that are discolored, misshapen, or uneven, dental crowns can significantly enhance their appearance, boosting your confidence and self-esteem.
Supporting Dental Implants: Dental crowns play a crucial role in completing dental implant procedures. They provide a natural-looking and functional replacement for missing teeth, ensuring a seamless integration with your existing teeth.
Anchoring Dental Bridges: Dental crowns are often used to support dental bridges, effectively filling gaps left by missing teeth and restoring a natural-looking smile.
Protecting Teeth After Root Canal Therapy: Following root canal therapy, dental crowns are used to cover and protect the treated tooth, preventing further infection and damage.
Reducing Costs with Dental Insurance: Dental insurance can significantly reduce the cost of dental crowns. Patients with coverage may have up to half or more of the expenses covered, making it a crucial factor to consider.

The Dental Crown Procedure

The dental crown procedure is a multi-step process designed to ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting restoration. Here’s what you can expect:

Preparation: The dentist begins by preparing the tooth, which involves removing any decay or damaged tissue and shaping the tooth to accommodate the crown.
Impressions: Next, impressions of the tooth and surrounding teeth are taken. These impressions are crucial for creating a custom-fit crown that matches your bite and dental structure.
Temporary Crown: While your permanent crown is being crafted, a temporary crown may be placed over the tooth to protect it.
Crown Creation: Using the impressions taken earlier, the permanent crown is created in a dental lab. This process ensures that the crown is tailored to fit perfectly and look natural.
Placement: Once the permanent crown is ready, it is placed over the prepared tooth and cemented into place. Ensuring the crown fits properly at the gum line is crucial to avoid aesthetic issues such as a dark metal line and to achieve a natural appearance.
Adjustment: Finally, the dentist may make any necessary adjustments to ensure the crown fits properly and provides a comfortable bite.

By following these steps, the dental crown procedure ensures a durable and aesthetically pleasing restoration that meets your dental needs.

Choosing to have a crown placed can preserve the natural tooth, which is always the goal as preserving the natural teeth helps maintain the supporting bone structure and stability of the surrounding and adjacent teeth.

The four common types of crowns:

Ceramic

This type of crown is often used for teeth that are visible when smiling as they are made from a porcelain-based material that retains the look of your natural teeth.

Additionally, ceramic crowns can act as a ‘new tooth’ by restoring the function and appearance of a damaged or missing tooth. Porcelain crowns are particularly beneficial due to their durability and natural appearance, making them an excellent choice for various dental procedures, including support for bridges and implants.

Porcelain Fused to Metal

These crowns are known for their strength and durability while also allowing for a natural-looking restoration. Ensuring the crown fits properly at the gum line is crucial to avoid aesthetic issues such as a dark metal line showing.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns are often used to support a dental bridge, providing both strength and a natural appearance.

Gold Alloys

These may be used when more strength is needed, particularly for patients who grind their teeth at night.

Gold alloy crowns are also particularly beneficial for patients with severely damaged teeth due to their strength and durability. They are especially useful for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment to prevent splitting or further damage.

Base Metal Alloys

These are strong and corrosion-resistant and are often used when there is less existing tooth structure available to support the crown restoration.

Base metal alloy crowns can also be used to support an artificial tooth in dental bridges and implants, effectively filling the gap left by a missing tooth and restoring dental function and aesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped covering that is placed over a damaged, weak, or decayed tooth. It restores the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance while protecting it from further damage.

Why might I need a dental crown?

You may need a dental crown if you have a significantly decayed or cracked tooth, a large filling that needs replacing, or a tooth that has undergone a root canal. They are also indicated in situations in which a dental filling will lack the structural integrity necessary to last for long periods in the mouth. Crowns are also used to enhance cosmetic appearance or to support a dental bridge.

What materials are used for dental crowns?

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of materials. Each has its benefits, such as durability, natural appearance, or cost-effectiveness. Your dentist will recommend the best option for your specific needs.

How long does the procedure take?

The process typically requires two visits. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth, take impressions, and place a temporary crown. This typically requires one and a half hours for one tooth. The permanent crown is then custom-made, and on the second visit, it will be fitted and cemented in place. The second visit typically requires thirty minutes to an hour to deliver.

Does getting a crown hurt?

The procedure is generally comfortable. Your dentist will numb the area to ensure you feel no pain during preparation. You might experience mild sensitivity after the procedure, but this usually subsides in a few days.

How should I care for my dental crown?

Taking care of your dental crown is simple:

Brush and floss daily as you would with your natural teeth.
Avoid biting down on hard objects or using your teeth as tools to prevent damage.
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings to maintain oral health and monitor the crown's condition.

How long do dental crowns last?

With proper care, dental crowns can last between 10 to 15 years or longer. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are key to maximizing their lifespan.

Will my crown look natural?

Yes, crowns are designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. Porcelain and ceramic crowns, in particular, provide a highly natural look.

Can a damaged or loose crown be repaired?

If your crown becomes loose or damaged, contact your dentist promptly. Depending on the issue, they may repair the crown or recommend a replacement.

Are crowns covered by insurance?

Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of crowns if they are considered medically necessary. Check with your provider to understand your coverage.

How do I know if I need a crown vs. a filling?

Crowns are used for more extensive tooth damage or decay when a filling isn’t enough to restore the tooth’s function or strength. Major factors in determining which restoration will be recommended include the size of the damage, the location of the damage, symptoms such as pressure sensitivity, and the function required from the tooth. Your dentist will assess your tooth and recommend the best treatment option.

Looking for a practice in the Ahwatukee and Chandler areas? Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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