How Dental Crowns Help Your Smile

Dental crowns can help your smile in several ways. They can be used to strengthen teeth that are worn down and too weak to perform dental crownsbiting and chewing functions. Dental crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of your smile by concealing a variety of imperfections, such as discolorations, cracks and chips. When used in conjunction with a dental implant, crowns can even replace missing teeth. Dr. Paul Hufham and Dr. Bayne Heersink of Healthwest Dental Associates are your Dothan, AL dentists and dental crown experts.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are caps that completely enclose the natural teeth. Once placed, a crown acts as a protective shell for the tooth. Crowns are durable enough to function like regular teeth and can be used to bite and chew food. Crowns also look like natural teeth. They can transform your smile by concealing cosmetic problems, such as discolorations, chips and cracks. Crowns can even improve the appearance of misshapen teeth. Your Dothan dentist can help you decide if dental crowns are the right choice for improving your smile.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Dental crowns are custom made for each patient using a mold of the patient’s teeth. This ensures the crowns will fit perfectly over the corresponding teeth. A variety of materials can be used to make dental crowns, including ceramic, porcelain, resin and gold. For ceramic, porcelain and resin, the color of the finished crown can be matched to the patient’s existing teeth. Color matching helps the crowns blend in and gives them the most natural look possible. After the crowns are created, they are cemented permanently in place.

How Dental Crowns Help

Dental crowns help your smile by strengthening weak teeth and restoring normal functions, like biting and chewing. They also help by transforming your smile’s appearance. Reasons for having dental crowns installed include:

  • Improving the appearance of your smile
  • Concealing discolorations on teeth
  • Covering cracked teeth
  • Covering teeth that are misshapen
  • Anchoring dental bridges in place
  • Covering dental implants
  • Covering large cavities that cannot be filled

Dental crowns help your smile by improving its appearance, strengthening weak teeth and restoring normal tooth functioning. To have dental crowns installed, schedule a dental exam with Dr. Hufham or Dr. Heersink of Healthwest Dental Associates, your Dothan, AL dentists, by calling (334) 702-1101.