Dental Crowns Save Damaged Teeth

Dental crowns, one of the services and treatments offered by your Austin, TX, dentists, Dr. Juli Eivens and Dr. Jennifer Laubach of Advanced Smiles Dental, can help you protect your smile. Crowns offer a simple way to reinforce your teeth and prevent fractures.

How do dental crowns work?

Dental crowns are hollow restorations that cover the top parts of your teeth. They're often made of porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, and resin. These materials look just like tooth enamel and are tough enough to withstand years of wear and tear.

Before you receive a crown, your dentist makes your tooth a little smaller. Reducing the size of your tooth is necessary to ensure that the crown fits your mouth properly and comfortably.

After the tooth is reduced, your dentist will make an impression of your mouth that will be used as a model during the creation of the crown. You'll leave the office wearing a temporary crown. Two weeks later, you'll return to receive your permanent crown. Once the crown is cemented to your tooth, it will become a permanent part of your smile.

When are dental crowns recommended?

Your dentist may recommend a crown during your visit to the Austin, TX, dental office if they notice that your tooth has become weak. Teeth can weaken due to large cavities, large fillings, root canal therapy, tooth trauma, or cracks.

Unfortunately, once a tooth is weak, it's much more likely to fracture or break. Breaks change your appearance and make biting and chewing difficult. A broken tooth can be quite painful when the broken ends are exposed to the air. If a break extends into a tooth root, you'll lose your tooth. Extraction is the only option for cracks that reach the roots.

Dental crowns help you avoid these problems. Crowns strengthen weak teeth and absorb biting forces, preventing fractures. In addition to protecting and strengthening weak teeth, crowns can also be used to hide discolorations, change the shape of teeth or lengthen short teeth.

Protect your teeth with dental crowns! Call your dentists in Austin, TX, Dr. Eivens and Dr. Laubach of Advanced Smiles Dental, at (512) 258-3384 to schedule your appointment.