5 Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

5 cosmetic dentistry procedures

5 Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

5 cosmetic dentistry procedures

You know that your dentist and good oral healthcare can help you to keep your teeth healthy and functional. But just how much do you know about what cosmetic dentistry can offer you? Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that offers a focus on the aesthetic improvement of your smile. While most cosmetic procedures are elective, there are some situations where the treatments can be considered to have restorative benefits.

Dr. Christopher Green and Dr. Ionescu, each considered to be the best dentist in Parker CO, can offer a range of cosmetic dentistry solutions to help you to achieve your aesthetic goals.

There are several cosmetic solutions you may benefit from. We’ve assembled a list of the top five popular cosmetic solutions to help you to get that white and bright smile that you deserve.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic procedures. Also known as teeth bleaching, this treatment can be done by using our take-home teeth whitening trays. While there are many over the counter teeth bleaching products, they are not always the safest and most effective way of getting the results that you’re hoping to achieve.

Our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, says whitening your teeth should be done only after your teeth have been cleaned professionally and thoroughly. Teeth can become stained from the foods and drinks we enjoy, and also sometimes from the medications that we take. In-office treatments can help you to see the results that you’re looking for.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers use a form of dental bonding to adhere thin ceramic shells to the natural teeth. Each of the veneers is custom-made to fit your teeth so that you are assured of the best fit. Veneers can resolve several cosmetic concerns, including cracked and damaged enamel, gaps between teeth, and crooked teeth.

Patients can use veneers to take their smile several shades whiter, which is often the reason patients opt for this cosmetic solution.

Replacing Older Fillings

Today’s dental solutions for cavities typically use tooth-colored fillings that are blended to match the shade of the natural tooth. Older style fillings were often made from metal and can prove to be very visible in your mouth when you smile. Replacing old metal fillings with white fillings is one of the quickest ways for you to transform your smile.

Implants, Permanent Solutions

Dental implants are a permanent replacement for the root of a tooth that has been extracted or lost. A titanium post is surgically inserted into the jaw, replacing the missing tooth. The post will serve as the anchor for a prosthetic tooth or a crown. Once the healthy bone in the jaw has fused to the implant, the implant is secured permanently. Implants should be cleaned just as you would clean your natural teeth, to keep your surrounding natural teeth healthy and to promote positive gum health.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Braces can help to resolve several concerns with bite and jaw alignment, but they can also offer cosmetic solutions for those who may have slightly misaligned teeth. Many adults opt to consider their orthodontic options once they have resolved other concerns with their teeth. There are several options, including discreet braces that are almost invisible once in place.

When visiting with a cosmetic dentist, Parker CO patients should take the time to ask the questions that will help them to make the right decisions to meet their cosmetic goals. Remember that cosmetic treatments cannot typically be considered until any functional concerns with the teeth have been addressed.

Temporary Crown Falls Out

temporary crown falls out - Green Dental Care

Temporary Crown Falls Out

temporary crown falls out - Green Dental Care

Your local dentist in Parker, CO, will place a temporary crown over your teeth if you’ve undergone restorative treatment. The temporary crown is designed to protect your tooth after treatment like root canals. Your temporary crown can also preserve aesthetics until you are fitted with your permanent restoration.

Parker CO dentists emphasize that temporary crowns are not as durable as the permanent dental crowns that will replace it. If your temporary crown becomes damaged, cracked, or falls out entirely before your permanent dental crown is placed, you’ll need to fix this problem ASAP. It can be worrisome when this happens, but there’s no need to panic just yet. Keep reading to find out what steps you should take if your temporary crown does happen to fall out.

Understanding the Temporary Crown

The temporary crown is a tooth restoration solution that is custom-made to cover and protect a tooth that has been reshaped for placement of the permanent crown. It helps to protect the vulnerable tooth from damage. It could also protect you from feeling any sensitivity that may otherwise send you cringing when you eat or drink something cold.

The temporary crown can be made from a number of materials, including a type of acrylic-based material that is molded to the shape of your tooth and bite. The interim crown is set in place using a temporary adhesive that’ll make it easy to remove the temporary at your return visit to your dentist in Parker CO. If all goes smoothly, the temporary crown should stay in place until your next visit. 

If Your Temporary Crown Falls Out 

There is a possibility that your crown can falls out or breaks before your next scheduled appointment. This is often seen with molars and premolars as they incur much more force when you are chewing. Even if you do keep your meals to soft-to-chew food, it’s still possible for the crown to break free.

If you have some time to wait before your next appointment, take these steps to avoid pain and also keep your mouth and teeth safe:

  • Remove the crown or any broken pieces from your mouth
  • Rinse out your mouth with warm water so that you can remove any sharp pieces remaining in your mouth
  • Examine the now-exposed tooth and see if there are any jagged edges that you may inadvertently cut your tongue or inside of your cheek
  • Call the best dentist in Parker and explain the situation to us in full detail. We may offer some instructions to get you through to the next available appointment.
  • Return to the office when possible, to have another replacement crown placed, or have the temporary crown bonded back if it is not damaged. 

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about his suggestions when your temporary crown falls out. Dr. Kacos says, “Be very careful with the new temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready to be placed. Avoid directly chewing on the interim restoration, and do not floss between the crown and your other teeth. This could accidentally tug on the temporary crown and lead to it coming out all over again.”

It’s not a huge deal if the temporary does break loose before your permanent crown is ready. It can just expose you to the potential for some sensitivity and discomfort until the restored tooth has been covered once again. Follow these helpful tips and get in touch with our dental office in Parker, CO. We are here to keep you smiling. Whether you’re looking for dental implants in Parker, CO, or looking for other smile restoration solutions, we have options to help you meet your dental goals.

Temporary Vs Permanent Dental Crown

Temporary Vs Permanent Crown - Green Dental Care

Temporary Vs Permanent Dental Crown

Temporary Vs Permanent Crown - Green Dental Care

Ever since cosmetic dentistry and smile solutions have started to gain popularity, a large number of people have started spending more time at the dentist’s office. In this article, Dr. Christopher Green explains the differences between a temporary vs permanent dental crown. 

Why Is There a Need for A Crown?

Whether you require a temporary crown or a permanent crown there are numerous reasons why this procedure is performed.

A crown may be used to prevent the breakage or cracking of an older tooth. Furthermore, it can also help protect a previously installed dental implant or simply just make your smile look better. The crown can be placed as it is but, if needed, a root canal can also be performed to prepare your tooth.

What Is a Temporary Crown?

Temporary crowns are made of only two materials, metal or plastic, which do not hold significant economic value but are rather cheap materials. This is mainly because they are intended to last only a few weeks.

As the name states, these crowns are only a temporary solution, which is why in most cases, they are installed when the patients are scheduled to have them replaced by permanent crowns. 

Our friend Dr. Fradi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, explains that the reason why they are installed in the first place is to protect your tooth until the permanent crowns are placed instead of them. The permanent crowns will be placed after the mold between your teeth has been completed. This will also help those who have cracked, chipped or damaged teeth in feeling less insecure. The temporary crowns are bonded together using temporary cement so that they can be removed without any hassle.

What Is a Permanent Crown?

Unlike temporary crowns, permanent crowns come in a range of comparatively better materials, like gold, ceramic, stainless steel and even porcelain.

As the name states, these are designed to be a permanent solution so that they do not need to be replaced for a time period of 5 to 15 years after installation. Most major dental issues regarding your teeth will require a permanent crown. These will be used to treat all of the problems mentioned above.

In order to make room for the crown, it’s most likely that the dentist will have to file down your tooth and shape it accordingly. In addition to that, a strong bonding cement will be applied to ensure that the crowns stay intact. But the dentist will make sure to match the color of the crown with the rest of the teeth to give it a natural look. 

Where Can You Get a Crown Placed?

Finding the best dental clinic in your area can be tough sometimes, but if you live anywhere near Parker, CO, you are in luck as you can find Green Dental Care nearby. Our doctors, including Dr. Christopher Green and Dr. Ionescu, combine years of professional experience with a diverse set of skills and a serious commitment to patient satisfaction.

Whether you’re thinking of getting a crown put in or having your teeth straightened, make an appointment with Dr. Christopher Green to have all your dental problems taken care of.

 

About Temporary Crowns

About temporary crowns - Green Dental Care

About Temporary Crowns

About temporary crowns - Green Dental Care

A dental crown can be described as a cap, that is used to cover, and customized according to, a patient’s tooth. The crown is placed on the tooth for its protection, and its advantages include strengthening the tooth and getting it back into its original shape. 

What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns

There are many different types of dental crowns available at Green Dental Care, but all of them can be divided into two categories – temporary and permanent. The different types of crowns available are:

Temporary Dental Crowns

These are made in the dental clinic, unlike the permanent crowns. Most often, the materials used to make temporary crowns are stainless steel or acrylic material. 

Stainless Steel Dental Crowns

These are a temporary fix, put into place till the time the permanent crown is made. They are often used to prevent the decay of deciduous teeth of children and come out automatically when the permanent tooth appears. 

Base Metal Alloys Dental Crowns 

These crowns are incredibly strong and corrosion-resistant. One of their advantages is that they are gentle against the neighboring teeth. Another reason to opt for this crown is that out of all other types of crowns, this type enables you to remove the least amount of your healthy tooth to fit this crown. 

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns

These crowns can blend in with the natural teeth as the color of these crowns can be matched with the teeth beside them. A drawback is that a moderate amount of tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place this type of crown.

Ceramic Dental Crowns

Typically used to restore the front teeth due to their ability to provide the best natural teeth color match, Dr. Brian Leeson, a St. Pete dentist, says that these are arguably the best choice in dental crowns when it comes to aesthetics. These crowns are not suitable for molars as the ceramic material is not as strong as metal, and can become brittle when exposed to heavy biting forces.

All-Resin Dental Crowns

These are the cheapest option of the lot, but they do have a tendency to wear down over time, and if compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal, the all-resin crown is the one more likely to break. 

When Should You Get a Dental Crown?

You should think about contacting Dr. Christopher Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, to discuss the right time for getting a dental crown. The following are some common reasons to get a dental crown:

  • You require a root canal: If the decay or infection in your affected tooth has become irreparable, it is time for you to get a root canal. And the logical step after a root canal is to use a crown in order to restore the strength of your tooth. 
  • Improve your dental aesthetics: A dental crown can cover all your dental aesthetic problems – an ugly filling, a discolored tooth, or a damaged tooth.
  • Prevent a tooth from breaking: If you have a cracked tooth, it is high time to get a crown in order to protect the structure of the tooth, increase its strength, and most importantly give you relief from pain. 
  • After you get dental implants: The crown aids you in chewing your food properly after a dental implant.

What is the Procedure of Getting a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is placed in two appointments with your Parker dentist. 

Initial Appointment

Most of the work is completed in the initial appointment. Your Parker dentist assesses what needs to be done, the tooth structure is trimmed to get it in the proper shape for crown placement, bite impressions are taken, a temporary crown is placed, and a color match is made.

Follow-up Appointment

This appointment has the primary purpose of removing the temporary crown, placing the permanent crown, and add the finishing touches. 

How to Care for Your Dental Crown?

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about dental crown care. Dr. Kacos says the best way to care for your dental crown is to take care of it just as you should ideally take care of your natural teeth: regular brushing and flossing. The extra precaution you need to take is to avoid hard foods like ice. In case you grind and clench your teeth at night, it is advisable to wear a mouth guard to provide protection to your crown and teeth in general. 

 

Temporary Crown Post-Op Instructions

Temporary crown post-op instructions

Temporary Crown Post-Op Instructions

temporary crown post-op instructions

Temporary Crown Post-Op Instructions

Now that your temporary crown is in place, it is important for you to adhere to the following instructions so the final tooth restoration (dental bridge or crown) can be successful.

Chewing and Eating

If an anesthetic was used during the procedure to place the temporary crown, refrain from eating until you no longer feel numb. Dr. Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, explains that this precaution is necessary because you may unknowingly bite your tongue or another part of your mouth while eating when still numb.

It is also important for you to wait for a minimum of half an hour after the temp crown is placed before you eat anything. The emergency dentist in Parker, CO recommends this interval so that the dental cement used when placing the temporary crown can set/cure.

To limit the likelihood that the temporary crown will break or be dislodged, the experts at Green Dental Care recommend that you avoid eating sticky, crunchy or hard foodstuffs using the side where the temp crown is located. If you can, avoid those items altogether until the permanent crown is placed.

Brushing and Flossing

Dr. Green encourages patients with temp crowns to brush normally. However, the dentist advises that care needs to be exercised when flossing since incorrect flossing can dislodge the temp crown.

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about temporary crown care. Dr. Kacos says that people with temp crowns should remove the floss from the side of the tooth instead of lifting it upwards in order to remove the floss from the gap between the teeth. As you lift the floss, you could accidentally lift the temp crown too!

It is also normal to feel some tooth sensitivity in the first few days after the temporary crown is placed. While the sensitivity can subside on its own, you could also brush using a desensitizing toothpaste to reduce the sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure.

Contact Green Dental Care if tooth sensitivity lasts for more than a few days, or it appears to get worse as the days go by.

Take All Medications Prescribed

You may have undergone a root canal before the temporary crown was placed. If that happened, the dentist near Parker CO may have prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. Take all that medication in accordance with the instructions provided. This will prevent complications, such as infections, from developing around the tooth with the temporary crown.

You can also reduce any chance of swelling or discomfort by rinsing your mouth with warm salty water at least thrice a day. About half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water is sufficient to prepare the salty water needed for this purpose.

When to Contact Green Dental Care

You should call Dr. Green or any emergency dentist in Parker CO immediately if the temporary crown falls out. Parker dental care professionals insist that you call a dental expert immediately because the success of the permanent restoration largely depends on how well the placement site was preserved by the temporary crown.

You should also call Green Dental Care if you aren’t comfortable with your bite or when you have queries or concerns that you would like a professional to address. Better safe than sorry!