Dental Crowns Goodyear
Reliable Protection for Damaged Teeth
There are several reasons why our teeth become damaged or decayed. Maybe it’s because of poor oral hygiene, trauma while playing sports, or even just an accidental fall while walking on the sidewalk. Whatever the reason is, the affected tooth must be properly protected to avoid further damage that could result in severe oral health complications. If left untreated for too long, you may end up needing a tooth extraction or other invasive procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Wheeler and Dr. Vega offer high-quality, custom-made dental crowns in Goodyear to help strengthen and protect your smile. To learn more about this service, continue reading or make an appointment with our team at Goodyear Family Dentistry today!
Why Choose Goodyear Family Dentistry for Dental Crowns?
- High-Quality, Customized Restorations
- Natural-Looking Results
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Practice
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap-shaped restoration that is custom-made to fit over a damaged tooth, restoring its appearance and function. It’s designed to cover the entire visible portion of the affected tooth, holding it together and strengthening it. Since dental crowns are often made of porcelain, they resemble natural enamel and will blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. The restoration is ideal for patients with a tooth that has:
- A large cavity that can’t be treated with a filling
- Suffered a severe injury
- Become weakened and needs additional support to prevent fracturing
- A serious cosmetic imperfection you want to fix
- Just received root canal treatment
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
The process of getting dental crowns in Goodyear requires at least two visits, sometimes more. During your first appointment, Dr. Wheeler or Dr. Vega will prepare the tooth in question by shaving off a thin layer of enamel to ensure the restoration fits perfectly with your remaining teeth. Once that’s done, they will take impressions and send them to a dental laboratory so they can create your permanent crown. Meanwhile, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth. When your final restoration is finished, we’ll call you back into our office and permanently bond it into place. Before you leave the clinic, we’ll explain how to properly care for your new smile to ensure it lasts as long as possible!
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
When you choose to have your tooth repaired with a dental crown at Goodyear Family Dentistry, you can expect to reap several benefits, including:
- Regained ability to eat, chew, and speak comfortably
- Reduced (or even eliminated) tooth sensitivity
- Natural-looking results that blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth
- Lower risk of dental emergencies and other future complications
- Lifespan of over 15 years with proper care and maintenance
Dental Crowns FAQs
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Dr. Wheeler or Dr. Vega will first numb your mouth with a local anesthetic before starting your procedure. This will ensure you remain comfortable throughout the process. We can also provide you with sedation options to help calm your nerves if you’re feeling a bit anxious about your treatment. Although we’ll numb your mouth for the preparation process, we may not need to for your final crown placement. After we’ve completed cementing your restoration to your natural tooth, you might experience minor sensitivity for a few days. This can be easily managed by taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns will eventually need to be replaced, so they aren’t considered a permanent restoration option. The only thing that makes them irreversible is the preparation phase. This involves removing a small portion of your enamel to allow the crown to fit properly, which will not grow back on its own. Once your enamel is altered, you’ll need to have a restoration at all times to protect your exposed tooth. Fortunately, your dental crown will be able to last around 5-15 years with proper care. This means practicing proper dental hygiene, eating a healthy diet, and visiting us for regular checkups to keep your restoration in tip-top shape!
Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?
Since your dental crown will not be made of the same material as your natural tooth, you won’t be able to whiten it in the same way. Your restoration will be non-porous, meaning any bleaching gel used to brighten your smile won’t be able to penetrate and remove stubborn stains. The best way to have a bright and healthy smile is to schedule teeth whitening before getting your dental crown. In this way, you can match your restoration with the ideal color of your natural pearly whites.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
The best way to know if your dental crown needs replacement is for Dr. Wheeler or Dr. Vega to physically examine it, or capture X-rays. However, there are also warning signs you can look out for that indicate your restoration is nearing its end, including:
- Instability: If your crown feels weak or loose, especially when chewing something sticky, then make sure to contact us right away.
- Discomfort: This can mean your underlying tooth is decayed, at which point we’ll need to remove your crown so that we can address the situation.
- Dark line at the base: If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crown, then the porcelain can wear down and reveal the metal underneath. This indicates that you may need to replace your restoration soon.
- Worsened appearance: Having a noticeably discolored or damaged crown can lead to issues later on, so it’s best to replace it ahead of time.