A beautiful and healthy smile is something that everyone aspires to have, but sometimes dental issues can get in the way of achieving that dream. Fortunately, your dentist has treatment options to help you achieve the perfect smile. Porcelain crowns are used in restorative and cosmetic treatment plans as they can treat large cavities, worn, fractured, or chipped teeth, and teeth that have had root canals with an aesthetic result. Porcelain veneers are used in cosmetic treatment plans to address the look of your smile. While porcelain bridges can replace hopeless or missing teeth, restore function, and improve the aesthetics of your smile.
We want you to love your smile. That’s why we offer a range of restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments that help restore and revitalize your teeth; a porcelain crown, veneer, or bridge may be the perfect solution for your dental needs. If you are searching for dental crowns Greeley, CO, or porcelain veneers Greeley, visit us for expert treatment and exceptional service. Call (970) 515-3550, or complete the online booking form.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Porcelain crowns are used in restorative and cosmetic treatment plans as they can treat large cavities, worn, fractured, or chipped teeth, and teeth that have had root canals with an esthetic result. They can also protect a weakened tooth from further damage or restore a dental implant. Crowns can also be used to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, such as when a severely discolored or misshapen tooth needs to be restored. A tooth that needs a crown, left untreated can lead to further damage or tooth loss.
Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns used to be the best option for those who wanted a durable crown that was also somewhat natural-looking. The metal provided a sturdy base, while the porcelain exterior attempted to conceal the metal. However, the metal tended to show through along the gumline with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, making the restoration look artificial. Our practice uses all-porcelain crowns for a natural-looking, durable result.
CEREC Porcelain Dental Crown Process
We offer CEREC same-day crowns at Clearwater Dentistry! This process uses digital technology to create a 3D model of your existing teeth. Using the digital impressions, our team can create a custom porcelain crown that fits over the existing tooth. With one appointment, patients can have the tooth prepared and new permanent crown placed on the same day. With this state-of-the-art technology, you can save time and money and get your smile back in action quickly.
We will first take a 3D digital impression of your teeth using the Dentsply Primescan Intraoral scanner. This data is sent to our in-office milling machine and can be used to craft your new porcelain crown from a single block of material. The crown is then placed on the prepared tooth. The entire process takes about 2.5 hours, depending on the case, meaning you’ll walk away with your new, permanent crown on the same day as your appointment.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
- Improved aesthetics: Porcelain crowns look more natural than metal and can be custom-colored to match your other teeth.
- Durability: Porcelain crowns are stronger than resin and will last many years with proper care.
- Decay protection: A dental crown helps protect the tooth from further decay and damage, restoring your oral health.
- Better bite: With a dental crown, you can better position your teeth and improve your bite for more comfortable chewing.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another restorative solution for teeth that are chipped, stained, discolored, rotated, or crowded. These thin, porcelain restorations are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to give them a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Dental veneers can also help protect against further damage and decay. Veneers may also be made from composite resin, but porcelain veneers are more durable and stain-resistant.
CEREC Porcelain Veneers
This state-of-the-art technology helps you get the smile you need in no time. Using a 3D impression taken with the Dentsply Primescan Intraoral scanner, Dr. Baughman can make your new veneers and bond them to your teeth in just one visit.
Your opinion is essential for the veneer procedure planning process. Our mission is to give you a smile that brings confidence, so we will take the time to talk to you about your smile goals. To ensure you have healthy gums and teeth, we recommend that any other necessary dental treatments be completed before your cosmetic veneers are placed.
To start your treatment, we will administer a local anesthetic and then delicately remove a small layer of enamel from the tooth surface. After this, Dr. Baughman will take the digital impressions and design and fabricate your new porcelain veneers using our CAD/CAM technology. Should you require multiple veneers, we will prepare all your teeth accordingly.
Our CEREC machine produces expert-fitting, beautiful veneers. Once we make certain your veneers fit you perfectly and their look and feel are to your liking, we will permanently bond them onto your teeth so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Benefits of Same-Day Veneers
- We use a 3D scanning device to measure your teeth and create the perfect veneers. No more sticky dental impressions!
- Treatment only requires one visit to the dentist.
- As opposed to traditional veneers, same-day veneers are more delicate and conservative in their design. With them, we can preserve even more of your natural tooth structure!
Dental Bridges
A bridge may be an option if you’re missing one or more teeth. A bridge is a non-removable, tooth prosthesis that bridges the gap between two teeth. It’s made up of a false tooth attached to two crowns and is securely held in place with dental cement. A bridge can restore your ability to chew and speak properly, as well as improve the appearance of your smile.
CEREC Bridges Process
The process of getting a bridge begins with the preparation of your neighboring healthy teeth. To do this, Dr. Baughman will numb the area and then prepare each tooth so that the crowns can be bonded to them.
Next, we’ll take a digital impression using our Dentsply Intraoral scanner and use our in-house CEREC machine to craft your bridge and crowns. During this step, we will also discuss the bridge’s color with you so that it perfectly matches the rest of your teeth.
Benefits Of a Dental Bridge
- A bridge helps restore your smile, allowing you to chew and speak normally.
- It prevents existing teeth from shifting around in your mouth due to an empty space left by a missing tooth.
- A bridge can help improve your facial structure and support any remaining natural teeth.
- With proper care and maintenance, a bridge can last for many years.
Taking Care of a Temporary Crown, Bridge, or Veneer
In some cases, it is necessary that a temporary crown, bridge, or veneer is fabricated and placed on the prepared tooth or teeth, while the permanent crown is made outside the office in a dental laboratory. These cases are made by a dental laboratory due to specific character or color of teeth, size of the restoration, and number of teeth to be restored. While your custom crown, bridge, or veneer is being made, we’ll provide a temporary restoration for you to wear until the permanent is ready, which may take up to 3 weeks.
A temporary crown protects your prepared tooth and allows you to go about your daily routine without any major adjustments. When taking care of a temporary crown, patients should:
- Brush gently but thoroughly around the crown
- Avoid sticky or hard foods
- Floss side-to-side, not up-and-down, to avoid dislodging the temporary crown
Caring for your Permanent Crown, Bridge, or Veneer
It is important to take good care of your new crowns, veneers, and bridges to ensure that they remain in excellent condition for as long as possible. These porcelain restorations can last 10 to 12 years, or more. Brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist bi-annually for check-ups and cleanings are all important steps for proper oral care.
Along with practicing good oral hygiene, patients should try to avoid placing unnecessary force on the crown, which is caused by activities such as:
- Opening packages with your teeth
- Chewing on ice or other hard foods or objects
- Avoiding sticky foods or snacks
- Clenching/grinding your teeth
Some of these harmful habits are relatively easy to avoid, but others like clenching/grinding your teeth can be hard to stop. If you have problems with teeth clenching/grinding we can discuss your symptoms and recommend treatment options.
Recovery Process
Some patients may experience some mild side effects following the procedure. Local anesthesia tends to wear off after a few hours for most patients, after which they may begin to feel some lingering discomfort from the procedure. Some patients can also experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures around the crown. These effects should diminish over time and can be managed with over-the-counter medication and using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. If your crown still feels uncomfortable after a few weeks, contact our office so that we can monitor the issue and make any necessary adjustments.
Porcelain Crowns, Veneers, and Bridges in Greeley
If you’re interested in improving the look and functionality of your smile with one of these dental restorations, don’t hesitate to contact our office today. Our dental team is happy to provide a wide range of restorative services, including expertly crafted porcelain crowns, veneers, and bridges. If you are searching for dental restorations near me, visit Clearwater Dentistry to see why we are the best dentist in Greeley, CO.
We are always available to answer any questions about these services. If you are searching for dental crowns Greeley, CO, or porcelain veneers Greeley, visit Clearwater Dentistry. Call (970) 515-3550 to schedule an appointment or complete the online booking form.
Summary
- A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
- Porcelain crowns (ceramic crowns) are the most popular choice as they look and feel like natural teeth and can be matched to the color of your existing teeth.
- CEREC same-day dental crowns, a permanent crown is placed on the same day as the initial appointment.
- Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain bonded to the front surface of the teeth to give them a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- CEREC porcelain veneers are made in-office. The teeth are prepped, and the veneer is bonded to your tooth.
- A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that bridges the gap between two teeth.
- Bridge and crown made in-office using the CEREC machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental crowns can last an average of 10 to 12 years when properly cared for. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups will help to ensure the longevity of your crown. Risk factors such as poor oral hygiene, dietary habits, clenching/grinding teeth, as well as other oral or systemic conditions may influence the long-term survival of your crown.
That depends on your individual needs and preferences. Bridges are a less invasive option than implants; however, they need to be supported by surrounding teeth to stay in place securely. Bridges can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months to complete, depending if tooth extraction is needed first. Implants are a little more invasive as they require surgery to place the dental implant securely into the bone and require more lengthy healing time. However, research has shown that dental implants have a much better long-term success rates than bridges. In situations where multiple teeth are missing, Implant-supported bridges may be an option as they don’t require support from other teeth.
Yes, porcelain veneers are a permanent solution for many dental concerns. Once bonded to your natural teeth, they can last up to 10 to 12 years with proper care.
Because veneers are considered cosmetic procedures, they are usually not covered by insurance. Always check with your insurance provider before beginning any treatment to determine your coverage.
No. Veneers should not be painful, as they involve minimal tooth preparation and typically no removal of gingiva or surrounding tissue. You will receive a local anesthetic at the beginning of your procedure to ensure that you don’t experience discomfort throughout the process.
