Dental crowns are among the most frequently recognized dental procedures today. The practice of placing a protective cap over a severely damaged tooth is not a new concept, but with the materials and techniques available today, the procedure can be done in less time, with more precision, and with more cosmetically pleasing results than previously possible. With equal focus on aesthetics and function, today’s dental crowns offer a discrete fix to severely affected tooth, restoring a smile’s beauty as it protects what’s left of healthy tooth structure. Garland dentist, Dr. Vi Mai, often utilizes dental crowns to help restore or improve patients’ smiles in a variety of situations.
Patients Who Need Dental Crowns
Typically, dental crowns serve to protect a tooth whose structure has been significantly compromised and can no longer support and protect itself. Dr. Mai advises that preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible is always preferable, so rather than extract a compromised tooth, she may recommend protecting it from further damage. Common cases that require a man-made dental crown include (but are not limited to);
- Cracked, fractured, or broken teeth
- A tooth damaged by traumatic injury
- A tooth that has been mostly compromised by decay (removing excessive decay can leave your tooth structurally unsound in some cases)
- Replace a missing tooth, when attached to a dental implant
Today’s Dental Crowns
Since protection is one of the main purposes of a dental crown, yours must be able to withstand the pressures of daily chewing, biting, and speaking. Otherwise, it would be basically useless. For optimal function and beauty, we offer a variety of durable, lifelike materials to custom-craft patients’ dental crowns. Dental porcelain, or ceramic, is among the most popular dental crown materials, and can be specially layered and tinted to mimic the color and light-reflective properties of natural teeth. For teeth that might bear the most pressure, such as back molars, we also provide metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, depending on the patient’s specific needs and preferences.
About Dr. Vi Mai:
Dr. Vi Mai and the caring staff at Mai Dentistry are dedicated to ensuring that our patients are proud of their beautiful, healthy smiles. With years of experience in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, we can expertly diagnose and treat early dental trouble to preserve your natural tooth structure. If it’s about time for your next teeth cleaning appointment, then call us today at (972) 530-0552.
