Dental Crowns

Restore Your Smile with Natural-Looking Dental Crowns

If you have a tooth that’s broken, damaged, discolored or misshapen, Dr. Victoria Kushensky, a family cosmetic implant dentist in Bronx, NY, may recommend a dental crown. Also known as dental caps or teeth crowns, dental crowns improve the size, shape, strength and appearance of affected teeth. Crowns may be part of your smile makeover.

When your teeth are damaged, it can affect your self-esteem, overall health and well-being. You may feel self-conscious or have digestive problems because you can’t chew properly. Other dental problems follow when a damaged or diseased tooth goes untreated. Your family dentist at Hutchinson Metro Dental also is a cosmetic dentist, so both your health and appearance matter in your treatment.

Reasons to Get a Dental Crown

A dental crown is a type of restorative dentistry procedure that’s performed to make a tooth stronger or to improve its appearance.

Some reasons that Dr. Victoria Kushensky, a Bronx, NY dentist, may recommend a dental cap include:

• Fixing a cavity that’s too big for a filling
• Securing a weakened tooth that’s worn down or cracked
• Strengthening an abutment tooth for a bridge
• Protecting a restored tooth following a root canal
• Covering a discolored or misshapen tooth
• Holding together a tooth that’s decaying or cracked
• Overlaying a dental implant

Crowns restore teeth to their original size and shape, often making them even stronger and more aesthetically pleasing than your natural tooth. Crowns prevent damaged teeth from deteriorating more, while improving your appearance.

Materials Used for Dental Caps

Crowns are made from several different materials. Dr. Victoria Kushensky, your family cosmetic implant dentist in Bronx, NY, makes recommendations based on your cosmetic goals, dental health needs and budget constraints. When medically necessary, crowns are covered, at least in part, by your dental insurance. Payment options are available at Hutchinson Metro Dental.

Your Bronx, NY dentist helps you choose a material that fits your goals. Your decision depends on the location and function of the tooth, along with whether it shows when you smile.

Some of the options for dental cap materials include:

• Porcelain and ceramic. These crowns provide the most natural color match and are a good choice for front teeth or if you’re allergic to metal. Porcelain crown costs are higher than metal or resin, but porcelain lasts longer, saving you money in the long run.
• Zirconia. The latest material for a tooth cap is made from special dental zirconia, which is proving to be more durable and natural-looking than porcelain. It’s usually a bit pricier, but requires less shaping, which helps to minimize the overall costs.
• Composite resin. Made to look like your natural tooth color, composites are affordable and have proven effective. Composites wear down more quickly, so they need to be replaced over time, mitigating the lower initial cost.
• Metal alloys such as chromium, nickel and gold rarely break or chip. They’re tough enough to withstand chewing and biting. They’re used for out-of-sight molars because of the metallic color. Prices vary, depending on the material.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal. This is a hybrid that combines the sturdiness of metal with the natural look of composites. Costs are competitive, and they last longer than all-porcelain crowns.

The Tooth Cap Procedure

Two visits are usually required for dental crowns. At the first appointment, Dr. Victoria Kushensky examines the tooth and removes any decay. If there’s risk of injury to the tooth pulp, root canal treatment may be necessary. The sides and top of your tooth are filed down to prepare for the crown. Then your Bronx, NY dentist takes an impression so the crown doesn’t affect your bite.

The impressions of the tooth are sent to a dental lab where the crowns are produced. This usually takes two to three weeks. During this time, you’ll wear a temporary crown. An alternative is same-day dental crowns, which can be made in one visit using computer-aided design and manufacturing.

How Long Do Porcelain Crowns Last?

Porcelain crowns last 15 years or longer with proper care, regular dental checkups and cleanings. Zirconia crowns have been known to last a lifetime. Resin usually wears down within about five to 10 years, while metal crowns can last forever, as long as your gums remain healthy.

How long crowns last is affected by how well you care for your teeth and how much wear you inflict on the crown. Practice good oral hygiene. Visit Dr. Victoria Kushensky at least twice a year. Avoid habits such as clenching or grinding your teeth to prolong the life of your crown. Get started today by contacting Hutchinson Metro Dental.