If your tooth has been affected by decay or damaged by oral trauma, a dental crown from Dr. Daniel Banks or Dr. Jacob Dunham may be the best option for restoring your smile. With a crown, you can smile brightly, chew normally, and get back to your day-to-day routine after just two short appointments at Water Valley Dental.
The average dental practice places 13 crowns per month, making this one of the most common dental procedures.
First, you’ll contact us for a consultation with Dr. Daniel Banks or Dr. Jacob Dunham to see if a crown is the right option for repairing your tooth, and to determine if you need any additional preliminary treatments, such as a root canal to restore an infected tooth. In some cases, a crown may not be needed, and a filling will be chosen instead.
At your next appointment, your tooth will be prepared for a dental crown. Dr. Banks or Dr. Dunham will prep the tooth and remove decayed tooth structure, creating a stable platform for your crown. Then, the doctors will take impressions and images of the tooth, which will be used to make your permanent crown. They will attach a temporary crown to your prepped tooth, and send you home.
Dr. Banks and Dr. Dunham will work with a dental lab to create your permanent dental crown, sending them the impressions, images, and notes about your tooth. Then, your crown will be built and cast out of porcelain and sent back to our office. This process can take 2-3 weeks.
When your crown arrives at our office, you’ll come in for your last appointment. Dr. Banks or Dr. Dunham will remove your temporary crown, clean your tooth, and check the fit of your permanent crown. Then they will bond it into place permanently, completing the procedure.
Gold crowns used to be the most widely-used type of crown, since gold is very durable, pliable, and strong, and does not react with the mouth or oral tissue. However, it is not used as frequently today, and is rarely used in front teeth, as most patients wish to avoid the appearance of a “gold tooth.” Still, gold can be a useful option for restoring rear molars.
Porcelain crowns are the best option for restoring your smile. These false teeth are made of porcelain that is matched perfectly to the color of your teeth, and has a similar hardness and translucence compared to enamel. Your smile will look completely natural when you restore your tooth with a porcelain crown, so we prefer to use these crowns at Water Valley Dental.
Crowns usually last at least 10-20 years with proper care and placement. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, and see Dr. Daniel Banks for regular cleanings and oral exams. This will help prolong the lifespan of your crown.
Dental crowns typically last up to 15 years with proper care and cleaning.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)