Crowns
Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks or discoloration. Crowns are used to renew the appearance and function of a tooth. Crowns are not limited to just replacing the original tooth, but can be designed to create an even better aesthetic appearance.
Other reasons for needing a dental crown include:
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left.
- To cover severely discolored teeth.
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
Also, they are often used in conjunction with root canal therapy, dental implants or as an anchor for a bridge.
Crowns are typically made from porcelain in order to maintain strength and a natural appearance. The process of placing a crown may take 1-2 office visits.
The procedure of receiving a crown is as follows:
First Visit
- X-rays will be taken to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown. If the tooth has extensive decay or there is a risk of infection, a root canal treatment may be performed first.
- Anesthesia is used to numb the area to eliminate pain. The tooth that is receiving the crown will be filed down to make room for the crown.
- Your dentist will make an impression of the tooth using paste or putty. These impressions are sent to the lab where the crown will be manufactured.
- A temporary crown is placed to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made.
Second Visit
- Once your permanent crown arrives, your temporary crown will be removed and your permanent crown will be placed over your tooth to ensure the right fit and color.
- If the permanent crown is acceptable, an anesthetic will be used to number the tooth and the crown is permanently cemented in place.
BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY
Cosmetic and Family dentist in Seattle, WA
Kim
Kim’s teeth had been both victim of neglect and dental fear. She was read to have her smile back. As we progressed through her treatment, Kim’s confidence grew, and her gorgeous new smile says it all!
Kim finally built up the courage to visit our office during the start of the pandemic. Her emotional story of fear and poor dentistry was presented with honesty and commitment and demanded our attention. We reviewed her x-rays and diagnostics along with leveraged compassion, care, and dental expertise to create a smile that left everyone filled with joy. We don’t fix teeth; we fix patients. In Kim’s case, we were able to not only improve her smile, but eliminate her dental fears!
Craig
Craig’s teeth were damaged from years of clenching and grinding due to stress. We came up with a plan to restore Craig’s smile and self-esteem!
Craig’s teeth suffered from years of neglect, resulting in a significant number of cavities, and punishing results of clenching and grinding (bruxism), especially at night. We sat down for a one-on-one consultation to develop a custom plan with the goal of restoring his smile and maintaining it for long-term success. Craig’s commitment and enthusiasm spread throughout our team as we custom-built his plan. His treatment resulted in a cosmetically pleasing, functional smile that was designed to resist any future stresses from bruxism.
Dr. Aranka
Dr. Aranka gave a lifetime commitment to his patients and community but did not give himself a lifetime of care for his oral health. We created a fabulous smile for him, and he shows it to us every day!
Dr. Aranka is a retired local physician who stepped through our doors. He was unhappy with his smile and the condition of his oral health. He was tired of quick fixes that ultimately did not last. We sat together in the consultation room and outlined a vision for a long-term solution that would give him a healthy, functioning, and aesthetically pleasing smile. Dr. Aranka now comes in every day smiling and thankful for what our team has provided him.
Marco
Marco didn’t like his smile but didn’t know what to do about it. Our initial consultation included examples of what could change, and now Marco couldn’t be happier with his smile!
Marco recently semi-retired from his career in commercial real estate. He’s always been a bubbly, funny man but always seemed to have a reservation about his smile. One day I asked Marco if he liked his smile, and he said he didn’t. So I invited him to a consultation and showed him all the changes that could be made aesthetically, from his gum line to coloration to lip support. We did a little recontouring for his lower arch, light dentistry for his upper arch, and a tooth bleaching, and Marco is now thrilled to share his smile.
Alexa
Alexa didn’t like how her teeth looked and was ready for a smile transformation. She had overcome major life obstacles and was ready for a smile to match her new life. After neglecting her dental health for over 10 years, she made the brave decision to visit our office for a consultation.
Alexa and I discussed her smile goals and treatment options for long-term success. She put her full trust in us and completed multiple procedures including crown lengthening, implants, and full mouth reconstruction. As her treatment progressed, her confidence grew dramatically! We completed Botox and lip/cheek filler to enhance her already beautiful features and she could not be happier with the final results. Alexa is no longer scared of the dentist and her smile lights up any room she walks into!
