Dental Crowns, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota - Silver Lake Dental Dental Crowns - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Silver Lake Dental

• Why might you need dental crowns?
• What are dental crowns?
• Which materials work best for dental crowns?
• How are dental crowns placed?
• How do I take care of my dental crowns?

Why might you need dental crowns?

Do you need dental crowns and reside in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area?

If you want your smile to be your crowning glory, dental crowns can easily be fitted for you at our Minnesota dental practice.

When teeth are cracked, stained or damaged, they detract from your dental health and your appearance. To restore them, we may recommend dental crowns at our practice, conveniently located between Minneapolis and St. Paul in New Brighton, Minnesota.

If after reading this you still have questions about dental crowns, you can always contact Silver Lake Dental.

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What are dental crowns?

The staff at Silver Lake Dental work tirelessly to make sure the dental crowns you receive at our Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota office are of the highest quality. We will cover or cap your tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. The purpose of this procedure is to strengthen or improve the appearance of your tooth. Our patients receive dental crowns for a number of reasons:

• To support a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
• To attach a dental bridge
• To protect weak teeth from fracturing
• To restore fractured teeth
• To cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
• To cover a dental implant

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Which materials work best for dental crowns?

Consultation on your dental crowns is an important part of the services we provide at our Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area office. The "look" and function of the dental crowns you receive are considered when choosing the materials most suitable for you. We will consider the tooth location of the proposed dental crowns, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color or shade of the tooth and the function of the tooth. Dental crowns are made from a number of materials. Gold alloys, nonprecious alloys, porcelain, ceramic, acrylic or composite resin or combinations of these materials may be used. Porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is commonly used for dental crowns at our Minneapolis/St. Paul area practice because of its strength. Dental crowns made entirely of porcelain can be "bonded" to your tooth and are the most natural looking. In the process of making a crown, the porcelain is colored to blend in with your natural teeth.

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How is a crown placed?

Several steps are involved in placing a crown. Usually at least two visits are necessary. We will prepare the tooth by removing the outer portion of your tooth to accommodate the thickness of the crown. If the tooth has a filling, part of the material may be left in place to serve as a foundation for the crown. An impression is made to provide an exact model of the prepared tooth. We will then make the crown from the model. "Temporary" crowns (often made of acrylic resins) are placed while the permanent crown is made. If the shape or length of your teeth are changed for cosmetic purposes, for example, temporary crowns will allow you to become accustomed to this change. They can also help you decide if you like what you see or if there are any changes that you would like made before the permanent crowns are placed. When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist puts it in place and makes necessary adjustments. To see how your crown will look, you can use a large mirror held at arms length in various types of lighting. When you and your dentist are satisfied with your appearance, the crown will be cemented in place.

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How do I take care of them?

Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners (specially shaped brushes and sticks or picks) is especially important when you have crowns. These measures remove a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. It is especially important to remove plaque from the area where the gum meets the tooth (the sulcus). When plaque accumulates in the sulcus, it can cause dental decay or gum disease. To prevent damaging or fracturing the crowns, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. It is also important to visit your dentist regularly.

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