Our Loveland Dentist Can Repair Your Smile
Having a decayed or cracked tooth can pose a serious risk to your oral health if not treated in time. You deserve a stunning, healthy smile that you can take pride in. At Michael Kreimer DDS, our Loveland, OH dentist provides dental crowns to ensure your smile and oral health get the protection they need.
If you’re looking to repair your tooth, Dr. Kreimer can help. Discover why our patients in Murdock, Landen, and Reading, OH trust Dr. Kreimer with their smiles.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown (sometimes called a tooth cap) fits over the entire top of the tooth above the gum line to restore its shape, appearance, and strength. Crowns cover, protect, seal, and strengthen a tooth. They’re designed to fit and feel natural, improve your oral health and restore your overall confidence.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dr. Kreimer may recommend a dental crown for your smile if your tooth is cracked or severely damaged. Other various benefits that this easy, non-invasive restoration can provide patients with include:
- Protects a weak tooth
- Restores an already broken tooth
- Covers your tooth following root canal therapy
- Enhances a small or poorly-shaped tooth
- Restores a poorly stained tooth
Crown
When to Get Dental Crowns
In cosmetic dentistry, crowns are used less frequently since the advent of veneers, but in some cases, a dental crown may be necessary for a particular tooth. You may be a candidate for dental crowns if you have a tooth with a bad fracture or a large filling instead of a veneer. Many situations may call for a crown if you have:
- Large decay. If you have a large and deep tooth decay that a filling won’t stay, or if you have a weakened tooth structure, a crown must be placed on the tooth to save it.
- Large old fillings. When large old fillings break down or decay around them, they usually need to be crowned. It’s important to crown a structurally weakened tooth to prevent a cracked or broken tooth. Once a tooth breaks, it may not be possible to save it.
- Cracked tooth. If you have a cracked tooth and a filling won’t seal the crack, a crown has to be placed over the tooth to hold it together. The tooth will become sensitive to chewing pressure or break if a crown isn’t placed on the tooth. It’s important to crown a cracked tooth before it breaks because a broken tooth can’t be crowned and would need an extraction.
- Broken / Fractured tooth. A tooth that has broken is usually too weak to hold a filling. A crown will hold the tooth together and prevent it from breaking again. If the fracture involves the nerve, you may require root canal therapy before crowning the tooth. In some cases, a broken tooth can’t be saved and must need an extraction.
- Sensitive teeth. Teeth that are very sensitive, either from a lot of wear or from receded gums, require crowns to seal and protect the teeth from hot and cold sensitivity.
- Root Canal Therapy. A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy will need a crown to properly seal and protect the tooth. A dental crown provides the necessary support to the tooth, especially since a root-canaled tooth is more brittle than a tooth with a healthy nerve and blood supply.
Possible situations for a crown
Large tooth decay
Cracked filling
Cracked crown
Broken tooth
Dental Crown Process
Dr. Kreimer can place your dental crown in as little as two appointments at our Loveland dental practice. During your first visit, we’ll evaluate your oral health and take X-rays and impressions of your mouth. This information will help create your customized dental crown.
Once your restoration is ready, you’ll return to our office for a second visit so that Dr. Kreimer can begin the fitting process. He’ll start by applying a local anesthetic to the surrounding gum area to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort. Then he’ll reshape your tooth so that the crown can fit perfectly. Finally, he’ll use a special adhesive to fasten the dental crown securely with the rest of your smile.
Caring for Your Crowns
Dental crowns can last 15 years or longer with a proper oral health routine. Along with regular biannual appointments with Dr. Kreimer, it’s also essential to:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily
- Floss daily and after meals
- Use mouthwash when needed
- Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or tough foods that may damage your crowns
- Avoid bad habits like teeth grinding and chewing ice or your nails
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting dental crowns hurt?
Receiving a dental crown is a virtually painless process. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to numb the area to ensure you don’t feel any pain. If your dentist provides at their office, they can provide you with dental sedation so you’ll feel relaxed during the procedure. Ask your dentist if they provide sedation dentistry.
It’s normal to experience mild soreness after the numbness fades, but any pain will subside within a few days. You can use cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications to relieve any discomfort in the meantime.
Are dental crowns safe?
Dental crowns are completely safe, and there’s virtually no risk involved. Your dentist will closely monitor your progress to prevent any potential complications throughout your placement procedure. If you feel any discomfort or sensitivity afterward, you can call your dentist’s office to receive the necessary care your smile needs.
How much do dental crowns cost?
The cost of dental crowns varies depending on certain factors, such as how many dental crowns you’ll need, your choice of sedation (if your dentist provides it), and your insurance coverage. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider beforehand to learn what coverage your plan offers. If the coverage isn’t enough, ask your dentist if they provide financing options to help ease your financial worries.
Schedule Your Appointment With Dr. Kreimer
Dr. Kreimer can protect your oral health with dental crowns at our Loveland, OH, dental office. To learn more about what a dental crown can do for you, schedule your appointment by calling our Loveland office at (513) 677-3656. We proudly serve patients in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas like Murdock, Landen, Mason, and Reading, OH. We look forward to seeing you in the office!