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, an accident, 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, but can also improve the overall strength and structure of your mouth.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crowns are prosthetic devices (or caps) that are similar to real, healthy teeth. These devices cover existing teeth in order to protect cracked, decayed, misshapen, or otherwise damaged dental surfaces.

Why Do People Get Dental Crowns?

There are several situations which 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.
• Post-Root Canal Treatment
  After root canal treatment, the remaining tooth structure is often weakened and brittle. A crown is used to restore 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 replace the damaged tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are typically made of porcelain, ceramic or metal. 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
  Porcelain crowns are made to match the shade of your other teeth but are more brittle than metal, and therefore can chip.

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 getting the crown. This will reduce any discomfort you may feel 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 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 post-dental crown treatment. Some post-procedure effects that you might experience during the recovery period are:

• Numbness from Local Anesthetic
  If you were given a local anesthetic, the numbing effect would be present for several hours after the procedure. During this time, patients are prone to drool and, if not careful,injure unknowingly as they are unable to feel the sensation in their mouth. Therefore it is best not to eat anything or drink hot liquids while you are numb
• Pain and Discomfort
  People may experience mild pain and discomfort in the affected area of the mouth. This would improve after several days without needing any further treatment. Call our office immediately if you’re concerned or if the discomfort lasts more than a few days.

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:

 Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth if you experience sensitivity to cold foods.

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

 You must 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.