Do missing or failing teeth cause you pain, embarrassment, keep you from eating the foods you love, or cause you to smile with your hand over your mouth? If your teeth are holding you back, it is time for a change. You can have a gorgeous and fully functional smile.
We are here to help you live a full, happy, and healthy life with the support of strong, reliable dental crowns. Dr. Charette in Louisville, KY has spent years studying and perfecting dental crown therapy and loves to create custom dental solutions for patients across Louisville, KY, and surrounding areas.
This simple procedure is part of the excellence that comes from Dr. Charette and can be completed quickly and efficiently with little to no pain. They are common in both adults and children, and just might be the solution you are looking for to restore your mouth to full pain-free functioning.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is essentially a cap or a cover for a tooth that is fractured, damaged, discolored, or misshapen. These restorations essentially replace the tooth you lost. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth and can be brushed and flossed normally.
When properly placed, it fully covers the visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. This helps restore its shape, strength, and appearance.
Dental crowns in Louisville, KY can be made from a wide variety of materials like porcelain, metal, ceramic, or composite resin.
When is a Crown Needed?
It is generally needed when there is a need to protect, restore, or rebuild your tooth/teeth. Crowns may be needed in the following situations:
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking
- To hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken or worn down tooth
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
- To make a cosmetic or functional modification
Types of Crowns We Offer
Dr. Charette does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” kind of solution. That is why every patient gets an individualized plan that addresses their individual needs.
- Single Implant Crowns: A single implant with a crown is meant to replace a single missing tooth. This type of single implant therapy is dependent on the amount of bone that remains after a tooth has been lost or extracted. If the failing tooth is still present, we may recommend bone preservation therapy (grafting material placed) at the time of extraction. If a tooth has been missing for a long period of time, bone augmentation (adding bone to increase width) or a sinus lift (to increase height) may be needed in order to create enough support for the implant prior to its placement. Occasionally, the implant may be placed at the time the extraction of the tooth to be lost.
- Multiple Implant Crowns: To replace up to 3 missing teeth in one area, multiple implant crowns are used. These restorations essentially replace the teeth you lost. These restorations consist of 2 implants that support 3 teeth. Two of the dental crowns are cemented or screwed into an abutment and the third crown is connected to the other two. Implant crowns and bridges look, feel, and function like natural teeth and can be brushed and flossed with the aid of a floss threader. Just like a single implant crown, the ability to receive implant therapy is dependent on the amount of bone that remains after a tooth has been lost or extracted.
- Natural Tooth Crowns: Natural tooth crowns and bridges are often used when the tooth/teeth need extra support, but they do not need to be extracted. For example,
- Natural tooth crowns may be used after a root canal to provide strength and reinforcement when teeth have large and/or old restorations that are breaking down.
- Natural tooth crowns can restore form and function or correct a bite problem.
- To replace a missing tooth for either function or esthetic desires alone.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns in Louisville, KY provide an adequate solution to a range of dental problems.
- They are a good long term solution because they usually last for at least 5-15 years.
- They have a very high success rate and can be catered to the individual needs of each patient.
- Dental crowns have the ability to support teeth that are damaged or failing, protect teeth that are wearing away, hold your teeth together, and improve the look and function of your mouth.
FAQs About Crowns
On average, dental crowns last between 5 and 20 years. The life span of a crown is dependent on several factors such as diet, bite, habits, and the reason the tooth needed a crown in the first place. Dr. Charette is committed to helping patients understand their risk factors and guiding patients down a path that best suits them and their dental needs.
Crowns on natural teeth last as long as the tooth under the crown stays healthy. It should be noted that 15% of teeth that are crowned eventually require root canal therapy and the tooth itself is still susceptible to decay/cavities. This makes it imperative that daily preventive care, regular dental cleanings, and a low sugar/acid diet are adhered to.
Once the crown is in, it is important to take good care of it. Good hygiene for your dental crown can prolong its life. Follow these care tips for your dental crown:
- Always practice careful brushing twice a day and floss at least once a day.
- Avoid; opening things with your teeth, crunching on ice, biting your fingernails, and chewing on objects such as pens/pencils.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, your dentist or prosthodontist may recommend a nightguard to protect your crown and other surrounding teeth.
Cost and total timelines for dental crown treatment in Louisville, KY differ from person-to-person and differs from implant vs natural tooth crowns.
A single natural tooth crown can be completed in as little as 3 weeks. The tooth will be prepared and impressed and you will wear a plastic version of the crown while the final crown is being fabricated. In the case of a full mouth of crowns, you can expect treatment to take up to anywhere from 4-8 months.
In many implant cases, the soft tissue will need to be shaped and contoured with a temporary crown before the fabrication of the final crown. The need for grafting, the ability to place the implant immediately, and the position of critical anatomy (nerves and sinuses) are unique with each patient. At a minimum, you can expect the process of single tooth implant therapy to take 3-4 months, but some dental crown therapies can take up to a full year to complete.
The cost of a crown is driven by many factors; the cost of material, the need for the addition of supporting structures such as cores or posts, and the number of crowns required to treat your individual dental circumstance.
Why Trust Dr. Charette
Dr. Jyme Charette in Louisville, KY has 3 years of additional training in the art of dental restoration. He not only cares about his patient’s oral health but also cares about the person outside of the mouth. Dr. Charette and his staff desire to serve as a pathfinder on your journey to dental health and happiness.
Charette Prosthodontics in Louisville, KY does not believe in a one-size-fits-all solution to dental problems. Instead, they believe that the treatment and experience should be as unique as the patient themselves. As an expert in the field, Dr. Charette will provide you a custom dental plan for your dental crowns that is catered to your specific needs and smile goals.
To make each patient as comfortable as possible, we also offer different levels of Sedation Dentistry. Sedation can maximize the amount of work accomplished in one setting and make your experience more comfortable and stress-free.
Something to Smile About
If your teeth are problematic, make you feel embarrassed, or cause you pain when you bite down, plan a visit to Dr. Charette in Louisville, KY. He has the tools, training, and technology to provide the highest quality dental restorations.
Through safe and effective solutions, like a dental crown, his team can get you smiling big again in no time. You don’t have to live being frustrated or upset with your teeth, there are many solutions to restore your mouth to its full smile once again. Give us a call if you’re ready to transform your smile today.
