Dental crowns are used to cover damaged teeth. A dental crown makes the tooth stronger and restores its function. There are several dental health issues that can be solved with dental crowns, and installing them is a very common procedure. But do dental crowns look natural?
Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?
A smile is often thought to be one of the representative traits of a person. That is why it is important for patients to preserve the natural look of their teeth even if some dental work has been done. In this article, we will answer the popular question: “Do dental crowns look natural?”
The Reasons You Might Need a Dental Crown
As we already mentioned, dental crowns can solve several problems include:
Rebuilding a tooth.
If your tooth is broken, damaged, or weak, a dental crown can protect it from further decay and restore its normal function.
Improving the appearance of your teeth.
Apart from functional benefits, dental crowns have the benefit of unifying the look of a patient’s smile by masking damaged teeth.
Getting dental crowns as a part of other treatments.
Crowns can be used together with dental implants or to support a dental bridge.
Dental Crown Material
There are several types of materials a dental crown can be made of include:
- Gold
- Silver amalgam
- Porcelain
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
- Zirconia
- Lithium Disilicate
However, the most popular materials for dental crowns today are porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal, and zirconia, a relatively new material for dental crowns.
How Do Dental Crowns Look
Needless to say, such materials as uncoated gold or silver amalgam will not replicate the look of your natural teeth, even though these materials are strong and durable. For that reason, porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal, zirconia, and lithium disilicate are so popular for use as dental crowns. All these materials provide great aesthetics and are quite durable as well.
Using these materials, your dentist can make the crown look exactly like your natural teeth. The big advantage of the materials is that the shade can be matched very closely to that of your real teeth. In most cases, it is quite hard to distinguish the crown from the rest of a patient’s teeth.
Apart from the shade of your teeth, other characteristics are considered when making a custom dental crown. There can be differences in how your teeth are shaped and in their size due to such factors as age, ethnicity, gender, etc. All these factors are taken into account to make your dental crowns look as natural as possible.
The Process of Getting Dental Crowns
The cutting-edge dental technology is used to ensure that a patient gets high-quality dental crowns that will be indistinguishable from their natural teeth. Usually, two visits to the dental office are needed to install a suitable dental crown.
The first visit is aimed at taking impressions of a patient’s mouth. These impressions are later used to create a custom crown that can perfectly fit the patient’s smile. During the first visit, the tooth that will receive a crown is also prepared for the procedure. It is cleaned, and a temporary crown is placed on it to protect the tooth while a permanent crown is being prepared.
The second visit is aimed at placing and adjusting the permanent dental crown. The adjustments are made to make sure that the crown fits comfortably and looks as natural as possible. There is no recovery time needed. The patient can get back to their usual activities right after the visit.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last
The usual lifespan of a dental crown is 5 to 15 years, depending on a patient’s oral hygiene and lifestyle habits. To preserve their natural look for as long as possible, we recommend following these rules:
- Brush and floss your dental crowns thoroughly twice a day.
- Do not use overly abrasive toothbrushes or toothpaste to avoid damaging the surface of the crown
- Protect your crowns from physical damage like cracking and chipping. For example, wear a mouthguard while playing sports, and do not use your teeth as tools.
- Avoid drinks and foods that can stain your dental crowns and change their tint. These include fruit juices, red wine, coffee and black tea, dyed candies, etc.
- Avoid smoking that can also stain your crowns, making them look much worse.
Are Crowns Right for You?
There are several restorative options available in modern dentistry. Typically, dental crowns are chosen for patients who have more significantly damaged teeth. If a big part of your tooth is impacted, a dental crown will most likely be a good option. For minor damages, your dentist can recommend choosing such options as, for example, bonding.
If you are considering getting dental crowns, simply want to learn more, or need a personalized consultation, make an appointment at our dental office at LA Mirada One Dental Group. One of our experienced specialists will do their best to provide you with natural-looking dental crowns to preserve your beautiful smile.