oral surgery

What’s the Difference Between Dental Veneers and a Dental Crown?

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If you have teeth that have been damaged or injured, dental veneers or dental crowns can help restore your smile. While these dental tools can look similar, they function differently. Your dentist in Grand Island, NE, can help you decide which one is best for you.

At Gentle Dental Care, we provide dental crowns and dental veneers to patients who want to make their smile whole again. We can help you decide which option is right for you.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a thin, tooth-shaped cap that the dentist fits over your tooth to protect damaged tooth enamel. During installation, the tooth is shaved to make space for the crown. Dental crowns can be made from a range of materials including porcelain or metal.

Metal dental crowns are strong and long-lasting. Metal dental crowns can also be made from a very thin layer of metal, so your tooth doesn’t need to be shaved very much to install this type of crown.

Porcelain dental crowns can be tooth-colored and therefore match your other teeth. This material is most often used on teeth near the front of the mouth, to maintain the beauty of your smile.

Dental crowns provide structural reinforcement for damaged tooth enamel. Crowns are often placed on the teeth after a root canal.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a tooth-shaped cover installed on a tooth to hide cosmetic imperfections. To make room for the dental veneer, the dentist must shave some of the tooth enamel from the front of your tooth. Dental veneers are always tooth-colored, and unlike dental crowns, dental veneers do not provide structural support to the tooth.

Which One Is Right For Me?

If you would like to hide cosmetic defects in your tooth, a dental veneer may be the right tool for you. If you want to protect a damaged tooth, a dental crown may be the best choice.

Have questions about dental crowns and dental veneers in Grand Island, NE? Call today to make an appointment and speak with one of our dental professionals.

What to do if a Crown Falls Off

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Ideally, crowns are meant to be a permanent solution, but occasionally, dental crowns do come off. If you find yourself in a situation where your dental crown has fallen off, your next steps are very important. Taking care and following dentist instructions will save you from worry and stress.

Save the Crown

First, don’t panic. Losing a crown doesn’t mean you’ll lose the tooth. Remember, the crown is simply a kind of prosthetic, and it can likely be put back in place by your dentist. If you happen to be eating at the time and bite down on the crown that’s come off, immediately take action to save the crown. This may mean spitting out the food in your mouth into a napkin. Whatever you do, don’t swallow, as you could accidentally swallow the crown along with the food.

Clean the Crown

Place the crown in a clean glass of water, either distilled or at least purified. Even better, place it in water inside a jar, where you can close the lid to avoid having it spill.

Inspect the Damage

Next, see if you can view the tooth. Crowns are often in the back of the mouth, so you or your family member may need to use a flashlight to see if there’s bleeding. If there is, pack the tooth with some first aid gauze. Don’t use cotton, as this will leave cotton fiber in the cavity, which will complicate the restoration.

If you have associated pain, consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Only do this if your primary care physician has approved you for over-the-counter meds. Avoid aspirin, as this thins the blood and may increase bleeding.

Contact Your Dentist

Contact your dentist as soon as possible and let them know what happened. Chances are, your dentist in Grand Island, NE, will make room in their appointment book to have you come in the same day. If it’s not deemed to be an emergency, ask what you should do while you await your appointment date.

Having a crown fall off can be shocking, but it doesn’t mean your natural tooth is going to come out next. A dental crown in Grand Island, NE, can be put back in place in most cases. Contact us today to learn more.

Dental Crowns FAQ

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A dental crown is a cover that can protect a damaged tooth. If you undergo a root canal procedure, you’ll be given a dental crown to protect your tooth. Dental crowns can be cosmetic as well as structural. In this FAQ, we’ll tell you about dental crowns and what to expect if you’re the recipient of a dental crown. For more answers to your questions, speak with your dentist in Grand Island, NE.

What are dental crowns made of?

Dental crowns can be made from many materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal and resin. Some of these materials (like ceramic and resin) are tooth colored. Each material has its own unique qualities, like durability, appearance and longevity.

Do dental crowns look natural?

All dental crowns are made to be shaped like normal teeth, but not all dental crowns are colored like natural teeth. Dental crowns that are made from a tooth-colored material look very natural.

How long do dental crowns last?

Some dental crowns last 8 years, others last 10 or 15. Just how long your dental crown lasts depends on the material its made from. Resin, for example, is a budget material that doesn’t last very long. Metal can be more expensive, but generally lasts the longest.

How are dental crowns maintained?

To take care of your dental crown, brush it twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss once daily. See your dentist twice a year for checkups. Watch for symptoms of a problem, like a receding gum or damage to the crown, and see the dentist if there’s a problem.

What is the purpose of a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap placed on a damaged tooth to protect it. Dental crowns protect the tooth enamel and reinforce the tooth structurally. Dental crowns are used when a tooth is cracked, badly decayed, chipped or broken. Dental crowns also cover up stains and discolorations and make the tooth look natural and beautiful again.

For the right patient, a dental crown can make all the difference. Do you want to know more about dental crown installation in Grand Island NE? Call Gentle Dental Care to make an appointment and get answers to your questions.