Restore Your Smile With Dental Crowns
When a tooth becomes damaged, weakened, or aesthetically compromised, it can affect both your confidence and your oral health. Fortunately, dental crowns offer a reliable solution to restore the strength, function, and appearance of your teeth. If you’re searching for “crowns near me” in the Kansas City area, Westport Family Dental is here to help you understand how dental crowns can transform your smile and improve your quality of life.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns, sometimes called caps, are custom-made coverings that fit over an existing tooth or dental implant. They’re designed to restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. At Westport Family Dental, we create crowns using high-quality materials that are both durable and natural-looking, ensuring your restoration blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.
Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, composite resin, or metal alloys. The choice of material depends on several factors, such as the location of the tooth, your aesthetic preferences, and functional requirements. Dr. Aaron Smitka will work with you to determine the best option for your specific situation.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
There are numerous situations where dental crowns become the ideal treatment option. If you have a tooth that’s severely decayed and can’t be adequately restored with a filling, a crown can protect what remains of the natural tooth structure. Crowns are also commonly used after root canal therapy to strengthen and protect the treated tooth.
Perhaps you’ve experienced a crack or fracture in a tooth. Dental crowns can hold the tooth together and prevent further damage. They’re also excellent for covering teeth that are severely discolored or misshapen when other cosmetic treatments aren’t suitable. Additionally, crowns play a crucial role in anchoring dental bridges and serving as the visible portion of dental implants.
The Dental Crown Process
Understanding what to expect during the crown procedure can help ease any concerns you might have. At Westport Family Dental, we typically complete the process over two appointments.
During your first visit, Dr. Smitka will examine the affected tooth and take X-rays to assess the roots and surrounding bone. The tooth will then be reshaped to make room for the crown. This involves removing a small amount of the outer surface on the top and sides of the tooth. If a large portion of the tooth is damaged or decayed, we may need to build it up first to properly support the crown.
Once the tooth is prepared, we’ll take detailed impressions or digital scans. These precise images are sent to a dental laboratory where skilled technicians will craft your custom crown. This process typically takes two to three weeks. In the meantime, we’ll place a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth and maintain your smile’s appearance.
When you return for your second appointment, we’ll remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of your permanent crown. Once we’re satisfied that everything looks and feels right, we’ll permanently cement the crown in place. You’ll leave our office with a fully restored, functional tooth.
Benefits of Choosing Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer numerous advantages that make them one of the most popular restorative treatments in dentistry. They provide exceptional strength and durability, often lasting many years with proper care. Because they’re custom-made for your mouth, crowns fit comfortably and function just like your natural teeth.
From an aesthetic standpoint, modern crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. We carefully match the color and shape to blend seamlessly with your smile. This means you can laugh, speak, and eat with confidence, knowing your restoration looks completely natural.
Crowns also help preserve your natural tooth structure. Rather than extracting a damaged tooth, a crown allows us to save it, which is always preferable for your overall oral health. By protecting a weakened tooth, crowns prevent further damage and potential tooth loss.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns
With proper maintenance, your dental crowns can last for many years. The care routine is simple and similar to caring for your natural teeth. Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss every day, paying special attention to the area where the crown meets your gum line.
Avoid habits that could damage your crown, such as chewing ice, biting your nails, or using your teeth to open packages. If you grind your teeth at night, let us know so we can provide a protective night guard.
Find Quality Crowns Near Me
If you’re searching for “crowns near me” and want to work with a dental team that prioritizes quality and patient comfort, look no further than Westport Family Dental in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Aaron Smitka and our experienced staff are committed to providing exceptional care using the latest technology and techniques.
Don’t let a damaged or weakened tooth compromise your smile any longer. Contact Westport Family Dental today to schedule a consultation and discover how dental crowns can restore your smile’s health, function, and beauty. We’re here to help you achieve the confident, complete smile you deserve.