Dr. Ratti Handa offers dental crowns to patients in Acton, MA. Patients with discolored, cracked, and broken teeth that still have the tooth root intact can receive a dental crown. Dental crowns are a type of restoration that fits over a tooth to restore it after a dental trauma or an infection. In addition, patients with missing teeth may also receive dental implants, dentures, or dental bridges with dental crowns.
Dentists use porcelain crowns in cosmetic dentistry to replace all of the tooth, cover only part of it, or to cover a dental implant post. Porcelain is a ceramic material that is more durable and looks nicer than metal or plastic crowns. Your dentist can also match it to the color of your teeth.
Restorative dental treatment may be needed for patients with tooth decay, but they can receive dental crowns after the infection is removed.
Treatment with Dental Crowns Dy Dr. Handa
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. During your first appointment with Dr. Handa, she will take several dental molds of teeth to create your custom porcelain crown. She will use it to create a temporary crown that will protect your tooth while the dental lab is making your final crown.
The dentist will then send the impressions to the lab so they can match them with your natural teeth color. During your second appointment, we will remove the temporary crown, thoroughly clean your tooth, and secure your new crown.
We also offer CEREC® Same-day Crowns. Using 3-D technology, our dentists can fabricate a dental crown using a computer. This eliminates the need for a temporary crown or secondary appointment. Dental crowns can last patients for up to 30 years.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
A composite or white dental filling repairs damage such as cracks or fractures in teeth. Composite resin tooth-colored filling material is made of gutta percha and zinc oxide. Dentist use it to fill cavities in the back teeth and for small front teeth. We can closely match this type of filling to the shade of existing teeth for a more natural look. This makes them a great restoration to use in Biorejuvenation dentistry. A dental filling can be made out of other different materials such as silver, gold, porcelain, or plastic. However, we use composite resin because if it’s natural looking results.
Inlays and Onlays
An inlay restoration is a custom-made dental filling utilized to repair damage to the tooth’s biting surface. Dentist use onlays when both the tooth’s biting surface and one or more of the chewing cusps on the tooth requires repair. Inlays and onlays are for teeth that suffer from damage due to decay or trauma.
They essentially act as partial dental crowns. Because inlays and onlays are made of porcelain, they will closely match the natural shade of the patient’s teeth.
Dental Crown FAQs
How long does a dental crown take to settle down?
It usually takes a few days to recover from a dental crown procedure. Most patients say that their crown begins to feel normal after about 3-4 days. You will certainly forget you have a crown after a couple of weeks.
Do crowns on teeth last forever?
Dental crowns do not last forever. Most dentists recommend replacing them after 8-10 years, although with proper care some crowns may last up to 30 years at best. It can be difficult to determine how long a crown will last because different factors influence the lifespan. The lifespan of your dental crown will also depend on the material chosen.
Is crown removal painful?
Patients report crown removal as a painless procedure in most cases. Multiple crown replacements can damage the tooth, but the procedure of removal is pain-free.
What happens if you wait too long to get a crown?
If you wait too long to get a crown, the tooth will continue to decay. The damage to the tooth will grow larger and you even lose the tooth. You also risk bacteria entering the interior of the tooth. This can create an infection that requires a root canal.
What to avoid after getting a dental crown?
After getting a crown we recommend that patients avoid chewy or sticky foods like gum, taffy, and caramel. These foods are able to grab and remove the crown due to how sticky and strong they are. Patients should also not chew items like ice, hard candies, and cereal that are hard to break down, as the crown could be uprooted or broken off by them.
How long after a crown is cemented can I eat?
After leaving our office, you need to wait about 30 to 45 minutes before eating. It is important to keep in mind that you should not chew around the area the crown was placed in the first few days after treatment. However, after the anesthetic wears off, patients can eat whatever makes them comfortable, as long as they avoid foods that are sticky or chewy.
How long do you need to rest after a crown is placed?
After your crown has been placed, we recommend that you rest and refrain from strenuous activity for a few days. In most cases, patients are ready to resume their regular routine after two to three days.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Call our Acton, MA office today for comfortable and comprehensive advanced dental care at 978.212.3783. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Handa on our website.