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What are replacing crowns?
Dental replacing crowns are essential caps attached over damaged or cosmetically displeasing teeth. They’re made of various materials, including metal and porcelain. Patients generally need dental crowns after root canals to protect the weakened teeth. However, you can also get porcelain crowns to cover up discolored, cracked, uneven, or cosmetically displeasing teeth. As such, dental crowns can be restorative or cosmetic.
Getting a traditional dental crown involves two visits to the general or restorative dentistry clinic. During the first visit, the cosmetic dentist examines and prepares the affected tooth. They may take digital x-rays of the affected tooth or a dental mold. The dentist will file the tooth down to a small size, removing the outer layers of the tooth. It needs to be filed down to receive the crown. The dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth and place a temporary crown over the stub.
The dental impression is sent to a laboratory for preparation. Meanwhile, you can go about your daily activities with the temporary dental replacing crowns. The permanent crown will be prepared in a few weeks, and the dentist will call you for your second appointment. During the second session, the dentist will attach the dental crown over the prepared tooth, polish it, and make adjustments to improve the cosmetic appearance. The final crown looks and feels just like natural teeth, i.e., if you get a porcelain crown.
When do you need to replace dental crowns?
With proper maintenance, dental replacing crowns can last over a decade without replacement. However, the time eventually comes when you need to replace the dental crown, or the crown falls out on its own. The following are signs that you need to replace your dental crown:
- The average lifespan of a dental crown is 10 years — if the dental crown is over 15 years old, you should get it replaced.
- Dental crowns need to be replaced if they’ve sustained significant wear and tear due to constant grinding and clenching.
- You must get your dental crown replaced if you have pain and swelling around the tooth. This can be a sign of an infection under the crown.
- Receding gum line around the dental crown is yet another sign of a bacterial infection. If you notice a gum line recession, you should contact a dentist to determine if you need a replacement.
What are professional teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a procedure wherein a special bleaching gel is used to remove years of accumulated stains from your enamel. Professional teeth whitening is different from at-home whitening because it’s done by a dentist in the office, and it produces instant results. Professional teeth whitening brightens your smile by up to eight shades in a single hour-long session. The dentist applies a whitening gel made of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide over your teeth. Next, they use a special curing light to activate the bleaching gel, therefore removing the stains from your enamel pores. The entire procedure concludes in 60 to 90 minutes — you can walk out of the clinic with significantly whiter teeth.
How well do teeth whiteners work? Which are the best?
Teeth whiteners work incredibly well, but only if you go to the right dentist. You must find dentists using Zoom or Kor teeth whitening products — they’re the best for teeth whitening. With professional teeth whitening, you can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in a single session, and the results last several months.
Which is the best procedure to whiten and straighten teeth?
Teeth whitening and straightening usually involve different cosmetic procedures. Teeth whitening is done with professional in-office whitening services that remove the surface stains from your teeth. Teeth straightening is usually done with orthodontic procedures, such as braces and Invisalign. You should ideally opt for orthodontic procedures, like Invisalign, to straighten your crooked teeth, and then opt for whitening. However, the entire process takes several years because orthodontic procedures gradually move your teeth in the desired direction over several months or years.
If you want instant results, you can also opt for porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin wafers of porcelain materials attached to your teeth. They’re specially designed by laboratories according to your desired shade, shape, and appearance. Once they’re attached to your existing teeth, they instantly transform the external appearance of your teeth. As such, they instantly brighten your smile and straighten your teeth — you don’t need to wait for several years or handle the two problems in turns. However, porcelain veneers are also far more costly, and the dentist might have to shave off some of the surface enamel to accommodate the veneers.
What kind of treatment is provided by the cosmetic dentist?
Cosmetic dentists provide treatments that improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. They improve the shade, color, proportionality, and general appearance of your teeth, giving you a beautiful smile. Cosmetic dentists carefully examine your teeth to recommend the ideal procedures for a complete smile makeover. Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures, including teeth whitening, dental veneers, Invisalign treatment, gum reshaping, bonding, and porcelain crowns/ bridges.
Where can I find reliable dentists for my dental treatment?
URBN Dental has some of the most reliable dentists for cosmetic dentistry services in Uptown and Midtown Houston. Our Uptown dental clinic is located between the River Oaks District and Highland Village, and our Midtown dental clinic is next to the Ensemble Theater or HCC Metro Rail stop. For more information, please schedule an appointment with our dentists in Houston today.