Dental Crowns – Los Angeles, CA
Flawlessly Restore Broken Teeth
When it comes to rebuilding damaged smiles, Dr. Adam Geach is a true expert. As a board-certified prosthodontist, he excels at replacing missing teeth, but he’d rather preserve your natural pearly whites for as long as possible. That’s why he often recommends dental crowns when teeth have sustained wear, decay, or breakage. If one or more of your teeth badly need repair, contact our team at Geach Dental to learn more about dental crowns in downtown Los Angeles, CA!
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, also known as a “cap,” is a tooth-shaped covering that fits over the part of a tooth that you can see above the gumline. As one of the most versatile treatments in the entire field of dentistry, a dental crown can fulfill a variety of purposes. Your dentist in Los Angeles might recommend a crown if your tooth:
- Has a large cavity that cannot be repaired by a filling alone
- Is cracked and needs to be held together to prevent full-on fracture
- Is misshapen or worn-down, making the bite uneven
- Has recently undergone root canal therapy
Dental crowns can also be placed to cover cosmetic flaws, like stains that can’t be removed with teeth whitening treatments. In these cases, we’ll often recommend porcelain crowns, as this material can be personalized to flawlessly recreate your original tooth.
The Dental Crown Process
It typically takes two visits to our office to complete the dental crown process. First, Dr. Geach will prepare the tooth in question by delicately removing a sliver of enamel; this step ensures the crown has enough room to be placed without bulging out in the overall line of your bite. Then, he takes detailed impressions of the tooth and the surrounding area, which will serve as the model for our in-house dental ceramist to design your crown. While they create your final crown, we’ll place a temporary to shield your tooth from damage. You’ll simply return to our office once your permanent crown is ready, and then we’ll seat it into place over your tooth.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Some of the reasons you can look forward to getting a dental crown include:
- Your tooth will look and feel like new again, enabling you to smile confidently.
- You’ll be able to chew without discomfort.
- The tooth will be protected from further damage. It might even end up saving a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
- With the right maintenance, your crown can last for 10-15 years or even longer.
Dental Crowns FAQs
A dental crown can effectively restore the health and function of a natural tooth. By using state-of-the-art technology and porcelain material, our team can also provide an aesthetic boost to your smile. Even with the restorative and cosmetic benefits, it’s normal for you to still have questions about this treatment. Fortunately, our team at Geach Dental is happy to help make your tooth-restoration process easier to understand. We’ve compiled and answered several of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about dental crowns in downtown Los Angeles. Keep reading or feel free to contact our friendly staff to learn more today!
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
While dental crowns offer a durable and natural-looking solution, they aren’t permanent. By practicing proper dental hygiene and visiting our team every six months, they can last you around 15 years before needing a replacement. The changes to your actual teeth, however, are irreversible since enamel won’t grow back on its own. For this reason, you’ll need to maintain your treated tooth with a dental crown from now on to preserve its proper look and function.
When Does a Dental Crown Need to Be Replaced?
The length of time that your dental crowns will last depends on how well you take care of them. This can mean having them for 5-15 years before needing replacements. However, you may need to get new ones if you notice certain symptoms while wearing them—such as discomfort, instability, a rougher appearance, or dark lines at their base. This might indicate that they’re becoming loose, wearing out, or there’s an underlying issue with your natural teeth. Be sure to visit our dentist in downtown Los Angeles, Dr. Geach, if you experience any abnormalities. He’ll be able to assess your situation and determine if a replacement is necessary.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?
There are several reasons we might recommend that you get a dental crown—including a decayed or damaged tooth. If you hold off on getting the necessary treatment, then you might increase the risk of developing further issues later on. A decayed tooth that is left exposed can take a toll on your gums and the rest of your teeth, negatively affecting your overall quality of life. To avoid more complications, it’s best to receive your treatment as soon as possible.
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
Our team uses advanced technology and materials to ensure that your dental crowns look and feel natural. We provide restorations made of porcelain, meaning they’ll be as durable as your permanent teeth to handle the pressure of chewing. You’ll be able to munch on all your favorite meals like you used to! Your dental crowns will also come in a wide variety of shades, so we can choose the color that best fits and enhances your pearly whites. You might feel a mild difference when running your tongue across their surface, but this is hardly noticeable in the long run.