What are dental crowns? A dental crown is a cap designed to fit perfectly over your tooth. This cap will strengthen the tooth, restore its size and shape, and enhance the tooth’s looks and performance. 

A dental crown is an excellent option if your tooth is about to or has already broken, you need a root canal (or have already had one), you have dental implants, or you don’t love the look of your teeth now. We know you might have more questions, so keep reading to find out more about Magnolia’s dental crowns. 

Everything You Need to Know About Tulsa Dental Crowns

Our patients often have questions regarding the dental crown procedure. Keep reading for answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

What Are Dental Crowns Made Of? 

A Tulsa dentist uses numerous types of dental crowns to serve their customers best. Each type of dental crown is made using a unique blend of materials. Here are a few of the most common types:

Porcelain Fused to Metal 

When a bridge needs the durability, the metal is a strong option and works for both front or back teeth. Porcelain has the advantage of having a great appearance because the colors can be customized and matched to the teeth to the right or left of it. However, some of the disadvantages of porcelain are that it can chip or break, show some wear, and sometimes reveal a dark metal line over time.

Stainless Steel Crowns 

We usually use stainless steel crowns as a temporary solution while preparing another crown. We often use these crowns for children to help keep their primary tooth from decaying any further. The crown will slip free once a permanent tooth makes an appearance.

Temporary Crowns 

Temporary Crowns, just like the stainless steel version, can be created in the dentist’s office so that your tooth can have immediate coverage. The temporary crown will protect the tooth and add extra strength until your new crown comes in. Acrylics are the primary material used to make temporary crowns. 

All-Resin Crowns 

All-Resin Crowns are a cheaper version of the crown because it is made entirely from resin. They are less expensive because they tend to fracture or wear down much faster over the long term than other types of crowns do.

All Ceramic or All Porcelain 

These types of crowns are considered the choice version of crown mainly because of cosmetic reasons. All-ceramic or all-porcelain versions of the crown are the best types for color matching with your teeth. As an added benefit, they are an excellent option for patients who struggle with metal allergies.

Metal Crowns 

Metal Crowns are created using certain alloys that can withstand long-term chewing or biting over the long-term and are very strong. They’re super durable and hard to break or chip. However, metal crowns look metal and are usually placed in the back of the mouth. 

Do Dental Crowns Hurt? 

Getting a crown should not be a painful process since we will numb your mouth before putting your crown on. The entire procedure lasts about 2-4 hours. 

Although you shouldn’t be experiencing pain with your dental crowns, there are some exceptions to why it’s happening. If the dental crown was needed to fix large cracks or painful cavities in your tooth, the nerve might still be irritated for a short time after the procedure. Another cause of pain after a crown placement could be a bite problem (the way that teeth come together).

If an upper and lower tooth close oddly due to an improper bite, it can irritate your mouth. Thankfully, the irritation is reversible. A bad bite creates sensitivity to cold and tenderness on chewing. When the bite is off, the dentist can adjust the crown to correct the problem.

Another cause of pain could be irreversible damage to the tooth nerve due to a crack or some other decay. In this case, a crown alone will not treat the tooth, and you’ll need to talk to your dentist about a root canal. 

You should be sure to tell your dentist if you’re experiencing abnormal pain after receiving your dental crown, especially if it lasts more than two weeks. Any problem that lasts longer than that is certainly out of the ordinary. Pain that persists or worsens after a dental crown procedure is not standard and needs your dentist’s evaluation.

Do Dental Crowns Come Off?

Occasionally, crowns do fall off. This is often because of the incorrect fitting. It could also be due to a small amount of enamel left for the crown to cling to. If this happens, clean the crown and the front of the tooth. You can temporarily replace the crown using dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement sold in stores for this purpose. Contact your dentist’s office immediately. Some situations that may cause your crown to fall off include:

• Cavities – A cavity at the edge of a crown causes a break in the seal between your tooth and the crown. A crown with a cavity under it will likely fall off.
• Contamination During Fitting – The cement gluing your crown in place must be dry when it’s first put on until it hardens. If saliva contaminates the adhesive, it might cause the crown to break later. 
• Back Tooth – Dentists often have to shorten teeth when putting a crown on, and your back teeth are already pretty short. This makes it easier for crowns on back teeth or smaller teeth to come off. 

Do Dental Crowns Stain?

Dental crowns sometimes stain over time. But, the staining level is usually less than regular teeth. Porcelain veneers or crowns may be the most likely to stain over time, especially when exposed to coffee, red wine, or smoking. 

Do Dental Crowns Look Natural? 

When making a crown, a dentist will essentially create a duplicate of the damaged tooth. The crown’s shape covering it will include curves, cusps, and ridges for the tooth to function correctly. Crowns are explicitly made to resemble natural teeth and can achieve a natural look using ceramics and porcelains.

Do Dental Crowns Have to Be Replaced?

While dental crowns have an average lifespan of about ten to fifteen years, each type of crown is different. You’ll need to discuss replacement or repair with your dentist. A Tulsa dentist will be able to examine your mouth and the crown to determine when you’ll need a replacement. You may require your dental crown changed over time due to damage, staining, or just normal wear and tear. Proper oral hygiene including brushing twice a day is the best way to care for your dental crowns.

Do Dental Crowns Feel Strange?

Ideally, a dental crown should fit perfectly in your mouth, just like your other teeth. You might need some initial adjustment to your new crown, however. You might feel the difference where the dental crown is. There could be new pressure on one side of your mouth, or it might not feel like your teeth fit together the same. You might also feel some difference in the jaw, whether the muscles or joints.

There could be mild soreness or just a different feeling. At first, give your mouth some time to adjust to having a crown. The procedure can be a lot on your mouth, anyway, so you might just be recovering. However, if these symptoms continue for several days or even weeks, be sure to call your dentist and make an appointment to get it checked out. These feelings could eventually lead to a more significant problem or TMJ in your jaw muscles, a strain that can cause headaches and several other uncomfortable feelings. When in doubt, call your dentist. 

Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened? 

According to the American Dental Association, whitening treatments do not work on the color of crowns. We cannot bleach crowns, and so most whitening treatments are ineffective. They will remain the color they were when the dentist placed them. The crowns will most often remain the same color as when the dentist puts them on (this can vary with porcelain crowns).

However, if your teeth are getting darker and your crowns are staying white, you can get a whitening treatment for your regular teeth to whiten them to the same color as your crowns. If you would like to whiten your teeth and you have on or a few crowns, be sure to consult your dentist. They’ll be able to direct you to the best treatment for your teeth with consideration to your dental crowns. At Magnolia Dental, we’ll offer you guidance on how to get your smile to gleam confidently. 

In Conclusion 

When you first meet someone new, you’ll notice their smile (or lack of one) right off. At Magnolia Dental, we want your smile to be the best, healthiest, and happiest it can be. We are committed to helping Tulsa smile bigger and brighter than ever before. We understand that some of our patients are scared of dental care. It’s a big step, but we consider our patients or family, and we will discuss any treatment needed for the health of your teeth, including dental crowns. Contact our team for more information regarding Tulsa dental crowns! 

The post Tulsa Dental Crowns Frequently Asked Questions first appeared on Magnolia Family Dental Care | Tulsa Dentist | Tulsa, OK.

As people, we are constantly caring for others. We are caring for our kids, our pets, our homes, and our jobs. Self-care is often at the very bottom of our list and caring for our own smile can get bogged down in a long to-do list. Your smile is important to us, and we encourage you to make your dental health a priority! If you feel self-conscious about your teeth, a wonderful way to start your self-care is by booking an appointment with Magnolia Family Dental Care and asking about improving the appearance of your smile with veneer.

You might be wondering what exactly veneers are? Dental veneers are a form of cosmetic dentistry. Using a thin porcelain veneer, your dentist can improve the size, shape, color, or position of your teeth.

At Magnolia Family Dental Care, we offer tons of dental services from cleanings and porcelain veneers to oral surgeries. Below, we’ve created a guide on everything you need to know about getting porcelain veneers and helping your smile become brighter, whiter, and happier than ever before.

What Are Dental Veneers?

One of the definitions of veneer from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “a plastic or porcelain coating bonded to the surface of a cosmetically imperfect tooth.” This about sums up the basics of what a veneer is. These increasingly popular dental items are thin teeth covers attached to the very front of your teeth. They are perfect for covering up any discoloration or chips in your teeth!

Porcelain veneers can even help to cosmetically fix crooked teeth. We know how impactful a smile is. In fact, it’s said to be the one symbol that brought the most positivity to people. We want you to feel absolutely confident in your smile, and we know it is truly fantastic!

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin molds of porcelain that are customized to exactly match and adhere to the shape and size of your teeth. Once these veneers have been molded and created for your mouth, they will permanently be attached to any of your teeth that you have chosen to commercially correct. Even if you are only wanting to help just one tooth, porcelain veneers can be applied to a single tooth or a whole set of teeth. Talk about versatile!

These correcting teeth molds look very natural. Veneers are not fake teeth, but simply a thin covering over your natural tooth. Because of this, they are extremely hard to identify. They are, in fact, your teeth, so you never have to say that they are fake or not your real teeth!

Porcelain veneers are also quite strong and very stain-resistant; with proper oral care (we will provide instructions on how to care for them) and maintenance, they can last up to twenty years. You don’t even have to worry about replacing them for a very long time if you are giving the veneers proper care. 

Do Veneers Hurt?

Your mouth should be numbed when you get the veneers (especially if there are several), thus diminishing any pain that you might have experienced with veneers. There should be little to no discomfort with them after they are applied to your teeth. And great news! Porcelain veneers themselves cannot get cavities (although your teeth still certainly can). Read more about cavities under veneers here.

Since these veneers are just thin shells that overlay your teeth, you will still need to properly care for your teeth around the veneer to minimize the likelihood of tooth decay. Below are some tips to avoid any cavities around your porcelain veneers:

1. Use Mouthwash: Topical fluoride is really helpful in avoiding any tooth decay. Swish some mouthwash pretty regularly to help with dental care or ask your dentist for a prescription-strength fluoride.
2. Regular Dentist Visits: If there is a small cavity forming, then we can catch that before it becomes too big and performs a small filling instead of having to remove the entire veneer.
3. Dental Maintenance: Most of us remember how much we got nagged as kids about brushing our teeth. But seriously, brushing and flossing your teeth is vital in keeping the health of your teeth and your porcelain veneers.
4. Toothpaste: Try to stay away from super abrasive toothpaste-like whiteners or other substances that can scratch your veneers. Toothpaste with a gel-like substance can be more gentle.

Can Dental Veneers Fall Off?

Yes, your porcelain veneers can fall off, but the likelihood of that is VERY slim. Porcelain veneers are very carefully placed and glued onto your teeth and they are not going to fall off unless its due to certain circumstances. Some of the most likely causes of your veneers falling off are below:

1. Teeth grinding: If you grind your teeth during the day or when you sleep, then it’s much more likely that your veneer will fall off due to the unusual pressure you are putting on your teeth. This can loosen the bond that attaches the veneers to your teeth.

2. Brunt of a Fall: If you fall and your face is impacted, your veneers might become loosened or fall off.

3. Hard food: If you chew on foods such as candy, ice, or other hard substances, your veneers can come loose from their bonding to your teeth.

If your veneer does fall off- don’t freak out! Call us ASAP so we can affix it back onto your teeth. Or, if the porcelain veneer itself broke, we can quickly fit you for a new mold.

Are Veneers Worth It?

Porcelain veneers are one of the safest ways to improve the cosmetic appearance of decayed or cracked teeth. We think that veneers are a really great thing, but whether they are worth it will be up to you.

Remember- porcelain veneers will not damage your teeth. In fact, veneers do the opposite! They help to preserve your teeth from further decay. Imagine them as little tiny protective walls around your teeth that look shiny and amazing. Veneers aren’t harmful, and they shouldn’t hurt you or your teeth at all! Instead, they help to restore your smile, fix any cosmetic issues, close gaps between teeth and maintain the health of your teeth.

How Much do Veneers Cost?

The cost of a beautiful smile is well worth the money. However, porcelain veneers are not the cheapest investment. Veneers will save you money on fixing your teeth in the long run but expect to spend $1,000 at least on each tooth that you decide to get fixed. Check with your insurance provider to find out if it will apply to cosmetic veneers because it varies by provider. Veneers are a long term investment into your smile and your self-confidence, and they are most often worth the cost!

By using porcelain veneers, a Tulsa dentist can reveal the true beauty of your smile. This cosmetic dentistry service allows so many of our amazing patients to showcase their self-confident smile and become more of who we know them to be. An investment into your teeth is an overall investment in your overwell well-being. Contact our team today to book an appointment with us and invest in your own smile!

With the help of dental veneers, we can create the smile you’ve always longed for. This cosmetic dentistry service allows many of our patients to regain confidence that has been lost due to a smile they were not proud to show off. At Magnolia Family Dental Care, we truly believe that investing in your smile can lead to a better quality of life and overall well-being.

The post Frequently Asked Questions about Veneers: Complete Guide first appeared on Magnolia Family Dental Care | Tulsa Dentist | Tulsa, OK.