Fix worn or damaged teeth with a dental crown at Dr. Bassam Abazid‘s office in San Antonio, TX. A dental crown is a cap that fully covers a tooth after a root canal. It adds strength and protects the tooth from more damage. Our team also uses crowns for cosmetic reasons.
Dental crowns can also secure bridges and cover dental implants. At Smile Land Family Dental, we offer crowns to help restore your smile. Crowns are just one of the many restorative treatments we provide for both new and returning patients.
Dental Crowns in San Antonio, TX
If a tooth is too damaged for a filling, Dr. Abazid can use a crown to make it strong again. Crowns help prevent more decay and restore the health of your tooth. Crowns can fix many problems, such as cavities or fractures, and bring the tooth back to its normal shape and function.
What Can Dental Crowns Do?
Dental crowns cover and protect teeth. They can:
- Cover and stabilize large fillings
- Repair and strengthen broken or cracked teeth
- Restore worn-down teeth
- Support dental bridges
- Protect teeth after decay
- Cap dental implants
Crowns can restore the look and strength of your teeth, lasting many years with proper care. Before placing a crown, Dr. Abazid ensures your mouth is healthy. He will treat any decay or gum disease first, then move forward with the crown.
To be a good candidate for a crown, you need at least about one-quarter of the natural tooth left. Patients should also have healthy teeth and gums, even if the tooth has some damage.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dentists offer different types of crowns, each with its own benefits:
- Metal Crowns: Made from alloys like copper, nickel, or tin, these are affordable and strong but don’t blend in well with natural teeth. They are best for back teeth that sustain heavy chewing forces.
- Porcelain Crowns: These look more natural and are less sensitive to temperature. They are low-maintenance and work well for visible teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns: These combine strength and a natural look but may show a bit of metal near the gum line over time.
- Zirconia Crowns: Very durable with a natural look, but they require more of the natural tooth to be removed. They are a great choice for back teeth.
Dental Crown Treatment at Smile Land Family Dental
We often recommend porcelain crowns because they’re strong, natural-looking, and more budget-friendly than some other options. Dr. Bassam Abazid will examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and help you decide if a crown is the right solution for you. Our crowns protect damaged teeth, cover large fillings, or improve the look of a tooth.
To prepare your tooth for a crown, Dr. Abazid will first numb the area to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. Then, he carefully removes a thin layer of enamel from the tooth. This step makes room for the crown to fit properly and blend in. If the tooth has significant decay or damage, he may need to remove more enamel to restore its shape and strength before placing the crown.
Next, he takes precise digital impressions of your teeth. These impressions capture every detail, ensuring that the crown fits perfectly and matches your bite. We send the impressions to a dental lab where skilled technicians craft your custom crown. The lab can also match the color of the crown to your natural teeth for a seamless look.
When your crown is ready, you’ll return for placement. Dr. Abazid will remove the temporary crown and check the fit, shape, and color of the permanent one. He will make any necessary adjustments to ensure the crown feels comfortable and looks natural.
Once everything is perfect, he bonds the crown to your tooth using a strong dental cement. Finally, he polishes the crown to give it a smooth, natural shine.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
Taking care of your new crown is important to keep it looking good and protect the tooth underneath. Try not to bite into hard, sticky, or crunchy foods for the first day or so while it sets. You might feel a little sensitive or uncomfortable, but you can manage with some pain reliever. Rinsing with warm salt water can help shrink any swelling and keep things nice and clean.
To keep your crown in top shape for the long term, treat it like any other tooth you have. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and some toothpaste with fluoride. Be sure to pay extra attention to where your crown and real tooth meet, because plaque can cause cavities or gum issues.
Floss every day to get rid of any food bits or plaque stuck in between your teeth. If flossing isn’t your thing, a floss pick or water flosser might make it easier to clean around your crown.
Stay away from things that could damage your crown, like biting your nails, chewing on ice, or using your teeth to open things. Going to the dentist regularly is an important way to make sure your crown and the other teeth around it stay healthy. If you take good care of your mouth and your crown, it could stay healthy for 10-15 years or even longer.
Request a Dental Crown Consultation
Get a healthier, stronger bite with dental crown treatment in San Antonio, TX. Call our office at 210-939-9689 to schedule an appointment. You can also book a consultation with Dr. Bassam Abazid through our website. If you have any questions about dental crowns, feel free to contact us.