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If you’re looking to improve the appearance of, or have suffered trauma to, one or more of your teeth, dental crowns provide a great way to regain the strength and natural beauty of your teeth.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap placed over a tooth. Full crowns cover all visible portions of the tooth, right down to the gum line, and are the most often used. There are variations—onlays and ¾ crowns—that cover less of the tooth but still provide support. Crowns are commonly crafted with porcelain, resin, metal, and/or gold.

Why would I need dental crowns?

Dental crowns provide a way to restore the integrity of teeth that are cracked or decayed, and in cases where a filling is so large that not much of the original tooth structure remains. They’re also used cosmetically to improve the appearance of teeth that are severely discolored or misshapen.

How long do crowns last?

The life span of your dental crowns is greatly affected by your oral habits. Activities such as biting your nails, eating ice, grinding your teeth, and using your teeth to open food packaging increase the wear and tear, and have a definite negative impact on your crowns. Practicing good dental hygiene is also very important. In general, you can expect them to last anywhere from five to fifteen years.

What is involved in placing dental crowns?

The actual procedure will vary somewhat depending upon the reason for the crown, and the type of crown used. Dr. Andres will perform a full workup to assess your overall oral health, and determine if dental crowns will be your ideal solution. he will likely order x-rays as well and test the integrity of the tooth structure to determine if other procedures are necessary before the crown can be placed.

Next, the tooth will either be filed down or built up, depending on the problem at hand. Your tooth will be filed down to create room for the crown to fit around it. If the tooth is decayed or otherwise damaged to the point where there isn’t much left to work with, Dr. Andres will build up the tooth with filling material to create a base for the crown.

Once the reshaping is complete, impressions will be made and sent to a lab to be used in the creation of your crown(s). Finally, the crown will be placed and cemented.

Is the process painful?

No. Local anesthesia is used during the resurfacing session to alleviate any pain.

Do crowns require any special care?

No, just continue to practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and floss at least once daily. When flossing, pay close attention to the crowned tooth, making certain to floss at the base where the crown meets the gum.

If you have a cavity, and your decay lies within the cusps of the tooth, inlays provide a way to maintain the structural integrity of your tooth without the risk of further decay that comes with fillings.

What are inlays?

A dental inlay is similar to a filling, in that it fills a hole in a tooth caused by decay. Inlays, however, allow more of the natural teeth to remain untouched, preserving structural integrity. They can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common are gold and porcelain. Inlays are sometimes used to replace old metal fillings, or to repair cracked or broken teeth.

What is the difference between gold and porcelain inlays?

Porcelain inlays provide a much more natural appearance, as they can be matched to the color of your teeth, but porcelain is more brittle and susceptible to breaking than gold. Both provide a lasting result, and insulate the nerves of the teeth, preventing pain and further decay.

What happens during the procedure?

On the first visit, the decay will be removed, and a mold will be made of your tooth, and a temporary inlay placed. This mold will be sent to a dental laboratory, and a custom inlay will be crafted that will fit your tooth perfectly. On your return visit, the temporary inlay will be removed, and the permanent inlay placed. Dr. Andres will make sure that the inlay fits properly and doesn’t interfere with bite function. The inlay will then be cemented in place, and the surface polished.

Is it painful?

No. If required, Dr. Andres will use local anesthesia during the decay removal process. You can expect some increased sensitivity and mild discomfort in the affected area immediately following the procedure. You can return to normal activities the moment you leave the dental office.

Is any special care required?

Good dental hygiene should be practiced. Brush the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, and floss at least once daily. Avoid biting down on hard objects and other bad habits like nail biting or teeth grinding to avoid breakage. Your dentist will provide you with a full set of guidelines to follow regarding your recovery and aftercare. Be sure to ask questions about anything that you don’t understand.

Cavities cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. You may think that your only option is to have the tooth pulled. Fillings are an excellent alternative.

What are fillings?

A “filling” is the common name given to a dental procedure that removes decay—a cavity—in a tooth and fills the space left behind with a synthetic material. Fillings can be made from many different materials, such as gold, amalgam, or composite tooth colored material. Your dentist will choose the material that’s right for you.

Why would I need a filling?

Leaving cavities in place is very dangerous to your oral health. Cavities will continue to get worse as time passes, and can lead to more serious dental problems, like abscesses, gum disease, and permanent tooth loss. Fillings allow you to remove the decay from your natural tooth, while still maintaining its strength and integrity. Fillings are also used in cases where the teeth have been worn down prematurely due to bad habits like nail chewing, and sometimes can be used to repair cracked or broken teeth.

Are fillings permanent?

No. When you get a filling, you will have to return to have the space refilled as time passes, due to discoloration or looseness from natural wear and tear. It’s very important that you schedule regular appointments with your dentist to have the filling checked, as fillings are susceptible to leaks or cracks. When this happens, bacteria gets beneath the filling and, since that area cannot be cleaned, severely decays the tooth. Often, by the time you notice a problem with your filling, it is already too late to save the tooth. Regular check-ups prevent this issue. Your fillings will last longer if you practice good oral hygiene and avoid nail biting, crunching ice, and opening packages with your teeth

What happens during the procedure?

After you and Dr. Andres determine that a filling is the best option, and choose the most appropriate filling material to use, the next step is to numb the area. The decay will be removed using a dental drill. There are a variety of bits for dental drills. Dr. Andres will likely use two: one to drill the enamel and a second for the dentin—the softer material that lies beneath the enamel. After all of the decay has been removed, the filling material will be placed into the vacated space. Some filling materials require that the surface of the tooth is etched, so that the filling bonds more strongly to the tooth.

Is it painful?

Local anesthesia is used to numb the mouth before the procedure begins. There is no pain while the tooth is being drilled or filled. There will be some discomfort as the anesthesia wears off that can be easily controlled with medication. Most people actually report a lessening in pain after the procedure, as the fillings “insulate” the nerves in the teeth.

If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your smile, dental bonding may be just the ticket. Here, we take a look at some common questions regarding the procedure.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding uses a composite resin to fill in spaces in the teeth, such as cracks and gaps. It’s also used to lighten discoloration and even out crooked teeth.

Who is a good candidate for bonding?

Anyone suffering from cracked, discolored, uneven teeth, or small gaps. Dr. Andres will perform a complete oral health exam to determine whether this procedure is right for you. You are discouraged from smoking after a dental bonding procedure, as this yellows the resin rather quickly. If you are a smoker, you will need to discuss this with Dr. Andres before opting for dental bonding.

What are the advantages of bonding?

Bonding creates a pleasing appearance, and is less costly than some other cosmetic dental procedures, such as crowns or veneers. It’s also less time consuming—in most cases taking only one office visit. Bonded teeth require no special care; just continue to practice good dental hygiene like brushing and flossing the teeth.

Are there any disadvantages?

The only major disadvantage of dental bonding is that the materials used are not as resistant to stains as other traditional means of tooth correction, like porcelain veneers.

Is it permanent?

No. While much longer-lasting than some other cosmetic dentistry procedures, it is not permanent. Bonding typically lasts anywhere from three to seven years, after which time the process will need to be repeated. It’s important to practice good dental hygiene to increase the lifespan of your dental bonding.

What happens during the bonding procedure?

During the initial consultation, Dr. Andres will discuss the process with you, map out a plan based around your specific issues and set up an appointment. The actual bonding process begins with the application of an etching agent that creates a textured surface. This prepares the teeth to accept the bonding materials. Next, a thin layer of a plastic-like material is applied to the front side of your teeth. Then, the bonding material will be placed on your teeth, sculpted into a desirable appearance, and colored. For single tooth bonding, the tooth will be colored to match your remaining teeth. A light featuring a high intensity beam hardens the resin, and the teeth are polished. The entire procedure takes no more than a few hours.

Is it painful?

Not at all. Bonding is completely painless, and does not require anesthesia unless a filling is being placed as well. A few patients reported an increase in tooth sensitivity for a short period after the bonding procedure.