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Porcelain Dental Crowns In Sylvania & Toledo, OH

Dental Office in Sylvania, Ohio

Dental Crowns, or caps for teeth, look and function just like natural teeth. A dental crown may be recommended if your tooth has too much decay for a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken. Porcelain crowns blend in with surrounding teeth and provide a strong, long-lasting repair for broken teeth, cracked teeth or yellowed teeth.

At our practice, we offer CEREC Same Day Crowns to patients who want to have the procedure completed in a single appointment. With the help of advanced technology, we can create a customized cap that matches your other teeth right here in our office. After the dentist places the crown, you have no need to return for a follow up!

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Here is what porcelain crowns can do :

  • Fit snugly over natural teeth to conceal cracks and chips
  • Conceal yellow teeth
  • Protect what remains of the natural teeth
  • Minimize the physical discomfort of tooth sensitivity
  • Are allergy free
  • Provide support for damaged teeth
  • Correctly align a patient’s bite
  • Even out the overall appearance of a smile
  • Serve as anchors for a dental bridge

How Are Porcelain Crowns Placed?

Traditional crown placement typically involves two appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared for the crown. A small bit of tooth structure may be removed to make room for the crown. Local anesthesia is used to prevent any discomfort. Impressions are made of the tooth and sent to the dental laboratory that fabricates the crown. A temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth to protect it. Once the permanent custom crown is ready, the second appointment is scheduled. The temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is bonded or cemented into place using a strong dental adhesive. Any last-minute adjustments for fit are made as needed. The crown is buffed and polished to give it a translucent quality similar to natural tooth enamel.

Our team also offers porcelain crowns with the revolutionary CEREC machine. This technology allows us to fit, craft and place permanent crown restorations (as well as veneers, inlays and onlays) in a single visit. CEREC uses digital photography and CAD-CAM software to plan out the restoration, which is then crafted from a piece of high-quality porcelain. CEREC radically enhances the convenience and ease of the porcelain crown placement process.

Uses of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be either restorative or cosmetic in nature — often both. Teeth that have become weak following infection and/or decay may need support to be able to bite fully and survive in your mouth long term. This is especially true following a root canal, where the tooth’s structural integrity has become compromised, so putting a crown on top helps to protect it. Crowns are also used with restorative procedures like dental bridges to hold the prosthetic device securely in your mouth.

Some crowns are purely cosmetic in that they are used to cover up a crooked, cracked, or misshapen tooth to create a more attractive smile. It does not make sense to remove a healthy tooth, so covering up its cosmetic flaws may be just the solution. Dental bonding is an alternative procedure that does not alter the natural tooth at all.

Dental Crowns Vs. Dental Implants Vs. Porcelain Veneers

These three options can restore and improve the appearance of your teeth, but they provide different benefits. Dental implants replace a missing tooth and its root with a titanium screw placed in the jaw connected to an abutment and dental crown (pontic or artificial tooth). Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover fractured, chipped, discolored, or slightly misaligned teeth. Dental crowns are caps made of porcelain that cover the entire tooth structure to restore function and improve the tooth’s appearance.

Dental implants are the ideal choice for a lost tooth because they can give you back a complete smile without affecting the surrounding teeth. These posts can support other restorations and are more stable than conventional dentures and bridges.

Porcelain veneers cover tooth cracks, chips, discoloration, and mild alignment concerns that affect the cosmetic appeal of your smile. These shells are bonded to the front of the affected tooth and are considered purely cosmetic, meaning dental insurance typically does not cover the cost of porcelain veneers.

Dental crowns are best for repairing broken teeth and addressing dental imperfections, such as severe tooth discoloration, deep tooth decay, or old restorations that need replacement. Crowns can improve tooth alignment and are placed on top of a dental implant and act as an artificial tooth. These dental restorations are best for repairing damaged teeth that can’t be addressed with dental bonding or covered with a veneer.

How to Care for Your Dental Crowns

Most crowns last between 10 and 15 years before replacement is warranted. The better you take care of your crown, the longer you will be able to avoid getting a new crown.

Dental crowns do not require special care. You can maintain these dental restorations for decades with proper oral hygiene at home and regular dental exams and cleanings. Good dental hygiene and dental crown maintenance include:

  • Brushing your teeth every morning and night (or more often)
  • Flossing once daily
  • Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash
  • Avoiding sticky or hard foods, such as ice, hard candies, chewing gum, and crunchy, fresh vegetables, such as carrots
  • Quitting bad habits, including biting on your nails, smoking, chewing on pencils, and using your teeth as tools to open packaging
  • Getting treatment for bruxism (teeth grinding), such as a nightguard

Recovery After a Dental Crown

The recovery process for a dental crown is short, but it can take a couple of weeks to adjust to your newly repaired tooth. Hot and cold foods like coffee, soup, and ice cream may cause tooth sensitivity, especially if you have gum recession with exposed tooth roots. If you have ongoing pain or feel like your dental crown is damaged, contact our dentists at Dental Health Associates to schedule an exam.

Porcelain Crowns and Insurance Coverage

Dental insurance covers preventative care, including routine dental exams, cleanings, X-rays, and oral cancer screenings. These plans often cover dental restorations, including porcelain crowns, to improve oral health and restore tooth function.

Insurance coverage for porcelain crowns depends on your plan and benefits. Most dental insurance providers have a maximum amount for annual coverage, and patients are responsible for all expenses beyond that amount. Your plan may cover 50% of your dental crown procedure for oral health purposes, such as repairing a cracked tooth or supporting a weakened tooth structure. Crowns for cosmetic concerns, including severe tooth stains and chips, may not qualify under your plan.

Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns

The traditional dental crown procedure requires two visits: One appointment to prepare the tooth, take a mold impression to send to the dental lab, and place a temporary crown. The second appointment positions the permanent dental crown and ensures a comfortable bite. Same-day dental crowns with CEREC technology eliminate the need for temporary crowns. These porcelain crowns protect the damaged tooth and cut out the messy dental putty used for traditional crowns. Instead, the CEREC system maps your teeth and determines the ideal shape with a digital scan that is quick, simple, and comfortable. The technology uses the high-quality 3D image to design and fabricates the dental crown out of a block of porcelain.

CEREC technology creates incredibly accurate images and restorations that perfectly fit over the damaged tooth. The porcelain crown mimics the natural sheen of your tooth enamel and matches the shade of your adjacent teeth. CEREC same-day crowns are more convenient for patients and provide a durable, aesthetically pleasing restoration.

Dental Crown FAQs

How do same-day CEREC crowns compare to traditional dental crowns?

Same-day CEREC crowns are crafted using digital imaging and milling technology right in the dental office, allowing patients to receive their crown in a single visit. Traditional crowns, by contrast, require multiple appointments and the use of a temporary crown while the final version is created in an outside lab. CEREC crowns offer the convenience of faster treatment and eliminate the wait time, while still providing a strong, natural-looking restoration. Both types are durable and effective, but CEREC is often the preferred choice by those who value efficiency.

How long do porcelain dental crowns typically last before needing replacement?

Porcelain crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and in many cases even longer with proper care. Their lifespan depends on factors such as bite pressure, oral hygiene habits, and regular dental visits. Avoiding habits like teeth grinding, chewing ice, or using teeth as tools often allows you to enjoy your crowns for well over a decade before needing replacement.

What dental issues can porcelain crowns fix besides broken or decayed teeth?

Porcelain crowns are versatile restorations that can also address a range of cosmetic and structural concerns. They are often used to improve the shape or color of a tooth, restore a worn-down or misshapen tooth, cover a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy, or anchor a dental bridge. In cosmetic dentistry, they’re also used to enhance the appearance of discolored or poorly shaped teeth for a more uniform smile.

Does insurance cover porcelain crowns, and what out-of-pocket costs can I expect?

Many dental insurance plans do provide partial coverage for crowns when they are medically necessary, such as for repairing a damaged or decayed tooth. However, coverage varies by provider and plan, especially when the crown is placed for cosmetic reasons. You can typically expect to cover a portion of the cost out of pocket. Our team at Dental Health Associates of Sylvania is happy to provide a cost estimate and assist with insurance verification and financing options.

How should I care for my new porcelain crown to ensure long-term durability?

Caring for a porcelain crown is much like caring for a natural tooth. Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups, are essential. Avoiding sticky, hard, or excessively crunchy foods can help prevent chipping. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, speak to our dentists about whether wearing a nightguard can help. With consistent care, your porcelain crown can stay strong and aesthetically pleasing for many years.

Will my porcelain crown feel or look different from my natural teeth?

Modern porcelain crowns are carefully shaped and color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural smile. Most patients quickly adjust to the feel of a new crown within a few days. If the bite feels uneven or the crown feels bulky, our dentists can make minor adjustments to improve comfort. Once in place, a well-fitted porcelain crown should look and function just like a natural tooth.

Contact Our Team Today

At Dental Health Associates, we use all-porcelain crowns for the best results. For more information about our porcelain crowns, please contact us today.

While some dentists lack the knowledge and staff to provide their patients with porcelain crowns, our Toledo dentists are so committed to high-quality crown, veneer, and bridge restorations that we have our own in-house dental lab. The lab is staffed with dental ceramists who ensure that your porcelain crowns and restorations are all perfectly matched to your individual teeth and create the smile you want.