At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we maintain an unwavering commitment to excellence and take pride in using the latest technology and leading treatment methods to provide patients with the best options in care.
While tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in your body, it’s still susceptible to damage from decay or trauma. Although a simple dental filling is often sufficient to restore the tooth’s appearance and function, that’s not always the case. When a significant portion of the tooth structure gets compromised due to cavities, fractures, habitual grinding, clenching, or is non-vital, the healthiest, most durable, and cosmetic solution to restore a tooth's appearance and function is often a dental crown.
Here are some common situations where a dental crown might be recommended:
The science of dental materials has come a long way. Today, restorations, including crowns, can be fabricated from the most aesthetically pleasing, biocompatible, and long-lasting materials.
With advancements in dental materials, all-ceramic crowns offer a top choice for full-coverage restorations. Formerly known as "porcelain jackets," today’s ceramic crowns are crafted from advanced, cosmetically appealing, highly durable materials that offer strength comparable to traditional metal or porcelain fused-to-metal crowns.
Among their many benefits, all-ceramic crowns mimic teeth's natural translucency and luster more closely than any other material. This quality makes them an excellent choice for a lifelike restoration. They are also lighter in weight compared to dental crowns with a metal substructure, making them gentler on surrounding soft tissues. Additionally, ceramic crowns resist staining and discoloration over time.
Ceramic crowns offer a safe, biocompatible alternative for patients with sensitivities or allergies to metals. They also eliminate the risk of a visible metal margin at the gumline, ensuring a more natural appearance. And, with proper care and maintenance, all ceramic crowns can provide long-lasting results, maintaining both functionality and aesthetics.
Here are some additional benefits offered by ceramic crowns:
At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we provide skilled care to ensure that your new ceramic crown will look naturally beautiful and blend seamlessly into your smile. We use only the latest generation of durable ceramic materials to achieve aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting results.
The choice of ceramic material for your crown depends on factors such as the tooth's location, the stresses it encounters, and aesthetic requirements. For instance, lithium disilicate porcelain crowns offer both strength and aesthetic appeal, making them suitable for back teeth that require durability. Leucite-reinforced pressable porcelain crowns provide excellent aesthetics but may not be as strong as other options.
For front teeth, high translucent zirconia is an ideal choice due to its ability to mimic the natural appearance of enamel while offering superior strength and durability. Solid or monolithic zirconia provides exceptional strength but may lack some translucency compared to other materials. We carefully evaluate these factors when recommending the best ceramic crown option for your specific needs.
Here are some popular choices in all-ceramic crowns:
Although every patient is different, the process of getting a ceramic crown typically involves two visits to our office. During the first visit, we prepare your tooth by removing any decayed or damaged portions and reshaping it to accommodate the crown. This step may require local anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Once the tooth is prepared, we take precise impressions using digital technology to capture detailed images of your teeth and gums. These impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory, where your custom ceramic crown will be crafted with meticulous attention to detail. In the meantime, you may receive a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth while waiting for the permanent restoration.
On your second visit, we will remove the temporary crown and place the new all-ceramic crown on your tooth. We make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit and bite alignment before securely cementing the crown in place. After finalizing the placement, we provide care instructions for maintaining optimal oral health.
Our experienced and attentive dental team will ensure your comfort throughout each visit and is always on hand to address any questions or concerns. We prioritize clear communication so you feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prolonging the lifespan of your ceramic crown. Regular brushing and flossing help remove plaque and prevent decay around the restoration site, ensuring long-lasting results. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also crucial as they allow us to monitor the condition of both your natural teeth and the crown.
To protect your new ceramic crown, avoid chewing hard foods or using your teeth for non-food-related activities such as opening packages or biting nails. If you experience any discomfort or sensitivity or notice changes around the crown area, contact us immediately to schedule an appointment.
At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we prioritize patient comfort, care, and satisfaction and tailor every treatment plan to meet individual needs.
Remember, the success of any dental procedure depends on meticulous treatment planning and paying close attention to each patient’s unique needs and specific smile goals. Whether you need a ceramic crown or another dental service, we explain every treatment option and take the time to address any questions or concerns throughout every step in care.
If you're considering ceramic crowns to restore your smile and improve oral health, look no further than the office of Dr. Manisha Bhalla in Poughkeepsie, New York. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality dental care with a patient-centered approach that ensures comfort and satisfaction.
While a dental filling is designed to replace a portion of a decayed or damaged tooth, a dental crown offers full coverage to restore the tooth’s entire outer surface. A well-fitting dental crown not only protects and strengthens the underlying tooth structure, but it also restores the tooth’s appearance and function.
The procedure for getting an all-ceramic crown is much like the procedure for getting any other type of crown. In all cases, the tooth needs to be prepared, an impression taken, and a permanent crown cemented into place. A single all-ceramic crown can typically be fabricated over the course of two visits. However, with CAD/CAM technology, a same-day crown can be fabricated from start to finish in a single visit. With the first approach, a temporary crown is typically worn until the second visit, when the permanent restoration is placed. As with every treatment plan, our office will explain your best options in care.
As the name implies, a temporary crown is only worn for a short time until the permanent crown is placed. A temporary crown is typically fabricated from durable tooth-colored dental acrylics. While designed to protect the underlying tooth between appointments, and until your new permanent crown gets placed, a temporary crown is also fabricated to look like a natural tooth and maintain the look of your smile.
While you should feel better having an attractive and functional tooth to restore your smile, your tooth may feel a little sensitive following treatment. This initial sensitivity will subside. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and your bite is perfect. However, we’re always happy to make any minor adjustments to ensure your comfort.
With some exceptions, teeth with root canal procedures are typically restored and protected from further damage with a full-coverage crown. Based on what’s best for your smile, our office will recommend the most appropriate restoration to maintain the health and longevity of your tooth following a root canal procedure.
A dental crown is a long-term restoration that, if properly cared for, can serve you well for many years to come. Once your new crown is placed, it requires the same brushing, flossing, and periodic checkups as your natural teeth. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard or sticky objects such as ice, pencils, or taffy, which can damage or loosen your crown. Remember, clenching and grinding your teeth puts excessive pressure on both natural teeth and dental restorations. Unless treated, this habit can compromise the longevity and integrity of your dental work, including crowns.
Although your new all-ceramic crown restores the tooth's strength, form, and function, you can still develop dental disease in the absence of proper care. To prevent gum disease and tooth decay, it’s essential to brush and floss as instructed and see our office for routine checkups, cleanings, and care.
How long a dental crown lasts depends on various factors, including your level of oral care, diet, and oral habits. While the standard answer is that dental crowns can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, existing literature confirms that most dental crowns remain in place at 15 to 20 years.
At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we’ve had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for how much treatment will be. The cost of dental crowns can vary a little, depending on the type of crown and its location. Our goals are to provide the highest quality of care and help patients begin treatment without additional financial stress or delay. We’re always happy to answer all your questions on dental insurance coverage, available financing, and payment plans.
Coverage for all-ceramic crowns depends on your dental insurance plan. Today, many dental plans provide some level of coverage for all-ceramic crowns. At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we work with patients to optimize their dental benefits and get the care they need to maintain healthy and beautiful smiles!
