Dental Crowns at our Red Deer clinic

Do you feel self-conscious when you smile? Are any of your teeth discoloured or misshapen? Or have you recently broken or cracked a tooth? The aesthetic appearance of your teeth can be compromised by genetics (eg: teeth that are not straight or not an ideal shape), an accident, tooth decay, or weak enamel. If you find that your teeth are holding you back, speak with your dentist at Red Deer’s Parkland Mall Dental Centre, and ask about dental crowns. Not only can they help restore a healthy-looking smile, they can also improve the overall strength and structure of your mouth.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crowns are devices (or caps) that cover the entire tooth; the look and function are similar to real, healthy teeth. These devices cover existing teeth in order to protect cracked, decayed, misshapen, or otherwise damaged dental surfaces. They restore the shape, size and strength of a tooth and can be made with various materials, including metal, porcelain or esthetic resins.

Why Do People Get Dental Crowns?

There are several situations that require a tooth restoration with a dental crown. Some common reasons that we see patients in our clinic for crowns are:

• Teeth Requiring a Large Filling

  If you have a small fracture in your tooth, it can be restored with a bonded filling. If the fractured area is large, you may need to get a crown to replace the damaged areas and strengthen the remaining tooth structure.

• Post-Root Canal Treatment

  After root canal treatment, the remaining tooth structure is often weakened and brittle. A crown is used to protect it by covering the entire tooth.

• Teeth with Broken Cusps

  If your tooth has broken cusps, a crown can be moulded in the exact shape as your original tooth to restore it.

• Teeth with Worn Enamel

  Regular consumption of acidic foods and beverages wears out the enamel, necessitating a crown to reinforce the damaged tooth.

• Cover a Dental Implant
  

  If you are getting a dental implant to replace a damaged or extracted tooth, a dental crown is attached to the implant to restore the natural look of the tooth.

• Malformed Teeth

  A cost-efficient option for malformed teeth, dental crowns can be a substitute for veneers.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are typically made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. The selection of material is generally determined by your aesthetic preferences and the location of the tooth or teeth. 

• Metal Crowns

  Metal crowns don’t chip or break as they are made of gold. They wear gently against natural teeth.

• Porcelain Crowns

  Also known as ceramic crowns, these are made to match the colour of your other teeth and are very aesthetic in appearance. They are a good option for those with metal allergies. Although they are very strong, unlike metal crowns, they are more brittle and, therefore, can chip. 

• Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns

  These crowns are made of a metal foundation and covered with porcelain; they can be matched to the colour of the adjacent teeth. They can be a good pick for front and back teeth but can aggravate the gums for those who have metal allergies.

Speak with your dentist to discuss which material is best for you.

What to Expect When Getting Crowns

During the first appointment, your dentist will evaluate and determine which teeth (if any) can benefit from crowns. After a decision is made to crown a tooth or teeth:

• First, our dentists will give you a local anesthetic to numb the tooth so that there is no discomfort during the procedure. 
• Next, they will use a dental bur to shape the tooth so that there is room for the crown. Then, your dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth so that the laboratory technician can build a custom fitted crown for your tooth. 
• A crown typically takes several days to fabricate so our dentists will place a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it and preserve the space. 
• When the permanent crown arrives, the temporary one will be removed and the brand new crown will be installed properly in your mouth. The doctors will use a special cement to fix the crown to the tooth.

Post-Procedure Care for Crowns

It is normal for patients to experience some sensitivity to cold and hot foods post-dental crown placement. You can eat using the crown once the cement sets – typically after one hour.

Long-Term Care for Crowns

Dental crowns can help you enhance your smile and boost your self-esteem. Nothing is more spectacular than a confident smile! You can make them last if you follow the long-term care steps:

 You must brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day.

 Avoid eating certain food items such as hard candies and sticky foods which can break the porcelain and/or unglue the crown.

Contact Parkland Mall Dental Centre - EXTENDED HOURS AVAILABLE!

We follow the Alberta Dental Fee guide for ALL our procedures. To learn more, have a look at our FAQs. Our dental clinic is conveniently located at the Parkland Mall, with extended office hours and ample parking! We are also open from 9am-5pm on Saturdays and offer extended evening hours until 9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday.

For more information concerning dental crowns in Red Deer, or to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, call us at 403-342-1118 or submit our online form.