Dental Crowns Melrose
A Restorative Solution That Benefits Your Smile
Dental crowns in Melrose remain one of the most reliable restorative treatment options for decayed and damaged teeth. Versatile in their use, our team can use them to protect a vulnerable, cavity-stricken tooth, enhance a smile’s appearance, or improve the use of a tooth replaced by a dental implant. At Melrose Dental Group, we partner with the best ceramic artist in Massachusetts, Yuki Momma, RDT, so if you’re ready to boost your oral health, call our office to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Melrose Dental Group for Dental Crowns?
- We Partner with the Best Ceramic Artist in Massachusetts
- In-House Dental Membership Plan Available
- iTero Digital Dental Impressions for Improved Accuracy
What is a Dental Crown?
Porcelain dental crowns are permanent prosthetic caps that resemble natural teeth. They are permanently placed on your teeth or dental implants for dental restoration purposes. Dental crowns can be used for a single tooth or in conjunction with dental bridges. Typically, crowns are designed to protect weakened teeth, but they can also be used for cosmetic reasons to improve a tooth’s appearance.
Dental crowns can also be used for:
- Large fillings
- Restoration of a fractured tooth
- Dental implants
- Protect a tooth after a root canal treatment
Dental crowns can last from 5 to 15 years with proper care. This includes maintaining your at-home dental hygiene routine and visiting us for exams and cleanings. You’ll also need to avoid hard foods because dental crowns can get damaged or loosen. If this happens, contact us right away. Damaged and loose crowns can cause issues with the underlying tooth or dental implant. It could leave them vulnerable to bacteria.
The Dental Crown Process
Dental crown placement is a multi-step process that Dr. Leno will complete within 2-3 appointments. Since we partner with the best ceramic artisan in Massachusetts, Yuki Momma, RDT, you can expect your permanent crown to look beautiful and feel comfortable thanks to the top-quality craftsmanship.
Dr. Leno will begin by administering local anesthesia to numb your mouth, then clean out the decayed or diseased areas of the tooth. After he is finished, he will alter the structure to make room for the new crown. Digital impressions will be taken with our iTero system, creating a 3D model that Yuki Momma can use to build your new tooth.
While you wait for the permanent crown to be created, you will wear a temporary one. This will protect your vulnerable tooth from unnecessary sensitivity and harm. You will need to follow specific guidelines during this time, however, so that you don’t damage the underlying tooth or temporary crown.
When the finalized product is ready, you will return to our Melrose office to receive your custom crown. Dr. Leno will remove the temporary and bond your new one in place. After evaluating your bite and ensuring it is secure, you will be free to start using your smile normally.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
There are many benefits you can expect from your dental crown, some of which may include:
- A lifespan of up to 20 years with the right level of care
- The ability to eat normally and speak clearly again
- A more confident appearance that can open doors of opportunity personally and professionally
- A natural-looking restoration that is crafted with precision and a keen eye for detail
- Increased durability, so your crown can withstand daily wear and tear
Dental Crowns FAQs
Are dental crowns permanent?
Dental crowns from Melrose Dental Group are not technically permanent since they will eventually have to be replaced, but they are certainly a long-term solution since they can last for fifteen years or more if they receive excellent care. The tooth that receives a dental crown will usually have to be irreversibly altered during placement, so it will need to wear a restoration from then on for protection from infection and injury. Dental crowns serve to protect compromised teeth from further damage, which allows them to remain healthy and functional for much longer than they would otherwise. The best ways to keep your dental crowns in great shape are to practice excellent oral hygiene, visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings, and defend your teeth from injury by wearing protective devices when necessary.
How long do dental crowns last?
A dental crown can last between five and fifteen years depending on where it is located in the mouth and the material it is made from. Metal crowns may last longer than metal-free ones, but the difference is often negligible, and devices placed on teeth in the back of the mouth may not last as long since they endure more pressure during the chewing process. The most important factor for your dental crown’s lifespan is how well you take care of it by:
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene
- Receiving regular dental checkups
- Being careful when chewing
- Refraining from tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption
- Abstaining from using your teeth to open packages or chew on inedible materials
- Making smart eating decisions that limit your intake of sugar and acid
How do you know when a dental crown needs to be replaced?
Only a qualified dentist such as Dr. Leno or Vazouras can make a definitive call as to whether your crown needs to be replaced, but you may notice signs that your device is near the end of its lifespan on your own. Be on the lookout for symptoms like:
- Pain: If a crowned tooth hurts, it may be infected. If this is the case, the device will have to be removed so the infection can be treated and may need to be replaced afterward.
- Instability: Your crown should remain stable on your tooth at all times. If it is wiggling about, contact our office so we can fix or replace it as necessary.
- Degraded appearance: Your crown should keep your tooth beautiful as well as functional, so unsightly chips, stains, and cracks can be reason enough to get a new one.
- A dark line at the base: An aging porcelain-fused-to-metal crown may show a dark gray line around its base as the ceramic part is gradually worked loose from the metal part. We’ll be happy to replace it so you can smile confidently.