The many ways dental crowns come to the rescue … to preserve or replace teeth

The dental crown process could very well be a “crowning achievement” in dentistry. After all, crowns are versatile. They repair a wide range of common dental conditions. Crowns are both conservative ways to preserve teeth and effective ways to promptly replace teeth that are damaged beyond repair (with bridges and implants). Dr. Aaron Sanders and our team at Z dentistry in Reno are pleased to provide a glimpse into this typical dental procedure.

There are really no situations where teeth repair themselves. Many problems can be fixed with a simple and inexpensive treatment in the early stages.But the longer a problem is untreated, the worse it becomes. By waiting to make an appointment, you may need more costly and time-consuming care. If you live in our “coverage area” of western Nevada and northeastern California, we encourage you to contact us right away to schedule an appointment.

Brush up on crowns 

Illustration of dental crown

Natural teeth have several parts, including the top of the tooth that shows above the gum line – the crown. The crown of your tooth is used to bite, tear and chew. Crowns also provide strength to your jaw and are the structure that fills out your face. Crowns can by damaged by tooth decay, gum disease, breaking, and trauma. So, when the crown is damaged, it is necessary for dentists like Dr. Aaron to strengthen it. 

New crowns are custom made in a lab.Various materials, including metals and dental ceramics are used. The type of material that is best for you and your situation depends on things like the location of the tooth and the ‘job’ of that tooth. For instance, metals including gold work well for back teeth that experience the extreme forces from grinding and breaking down chewy foods. Dental porcelain is superior in looking like a natural tooth. So, this dental ceramic is well-suited to the front teeth, which show when you smile. 

Additionally, some cosmetic cases may call for crowns. For example, a tooth may be oddly shaped. An attractively contoured crown can cover the tooth and its irregular shape. 

Crowns to replace teeth 

Another nod to the versatility of dental crowns, Dr. Aaron, may use them to design and place a dental bridge. Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth. A simple bridge is a single unit that contains three teeth – one replacement tooth in the middle for the missing tooth and a crown on either side where the bridge attaches to the remaining teeth. The crowned teeth hold the replacement tooth in place. 

Dental implants are a very desirable tooth replacement option. They replace both the root and the crown of the missing tooth. This helps preserve jawbone and keeps a natural fullness to your face. The implant is placed in the jaw. During a healing period, your bone fuses to the implant. This creates a solid ‘root’ in the place of the missing tooth. A crown is attached to the implant and now, you have a completely replaced tooth.

Get to know us and our approach to common and important dental treatments. Call Z Dentistry at (775) 451-0616 to schedule your appointment at our office in northwest Reno NV, or request one online.

Bridges

A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.