A Natural-Looking Smile Restoration Near You
Do you ever look in the mirror and wish your smile were brighter or more uniform? A damaged tooth can impact your confidence and make you hesitant to share your smile with the world. In the realm of cosmetic and restorative dentistry, porcelain dental crowns from the top dentist in Kirkland are often the answer, providing a solution that is both strong and incredibly lifelike.
At Dentiste, Dr. Roberts is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Serving the communities of Redmond and Bellevue, Dr. Roberts provides a patient-first approach to care. If you are considering a dental crown, contact us today at (425) 284-0515 to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Dentiste for Repairing Broken Teeth in Kirkland?
Choosing a dental office to repair a broken tooth is an important decision, and at Dentiste, we are dedicated to providing a patient experience that prioritizes your comfort, health, and a beautiful result.
Here’s why patients choose Dentiste for repairing broken teeth in Kirkland:
- A Unique, Calming Environment: We understand that a broken tooth can be a stressful event. Our office is designed to make you feel at home, not in a waiting room. Our goal is for you to feel comfortable and cared for from the moment you walk through the door.
- Personalized, Patient-Centered Care: Our mission is to empower you to make the best decisions for your oral health. Dr. Roberts and our team take a thoughtful approach, explaining all your treatment options in clear, easy-to-understand terms.
- A Focus on Long-Term Health: We don’t just treat the immediate issue. We provide restorative solutions that are durable and designed to last, giving you the security and confidence of a healthy smile for years to come.
What Are Porcelain Dental Crowns?
A porcelain dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap used to restore a damaged tooth. Made from a durable, tooth-colored ceramic material, it is custom-crafted to fit snugly over the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Porcelain is highly valued in restorative dentistry because it can be made to look incredibly lifelike. In fact, porcelain crowns mimic the appearance of tooth enamel more than any other crown type, making them a top choice for achieving a natural look.
Benefits of Porcelain Dental Crowns
Choosing a porcelain crown for your dental needs offers a variety of advantages:
- Superior Aesthetics: The primary benefit is their natural appearance. A porcelain crown can be perfectly matched to the shade of your other teeth, and it reflects light just like natural enamel. This makes it an ideal choice for visible teeth and a popular form of cosmetic dental crowns.
- Biocompatibility: Porcelain is a safe, inert material that is not known to cause allergic reactions or gum irritation. This makes it a great choice for patients with sensitivities to metal.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain is highly resistant to staining, which helps your crown maintain its bright, beautiful appearance over time, even with daily consumption of coffee or tea.
The Porcelain Dental Crown Process
First Appointment: Preparation and Impression
During your initial visit, Dr. Roberts will begin by administering a local anesthetic to the area around the tooth. This step ensures that you will not feel any pain or discomfort. Once the area is numb, he will prepare the tooth by removing any decay or damaged portions. The tooth is then meticulously shaped to create a stable foundation, allowing the new porcelain dental crown to fit securely and naturally. A precise impression of the prepared tooth is then taken.
This impression, whether it’s a traditional mold or a digital scan, serves as the blueprint for the dental lab, where your custom crown will be fabricated to match the size, shape, and shade of your other teeth. Before you leave, a temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth from sensitivity and to maintain its function until your next visit.
Second Appointment: Final Placement
At your second appointment, the temporary crown is carefully removed. Dr. Roberts will then try on the new, custom-made porcelain dental crown to verify its fit, bite, and appearance. This is a critical step to ensure the restoration feels comfortable and looks seamless. Once both you and Dr. Roberts are satisfied with the fit and aesthetics, the crown is permanently bonded to your tooth using a strong dental adhesive.
Candidacy for Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are a versatile solution for a range of dental issues. You might be a candidate for a porcelain crown if you have:
- A tooth with severe decay that is too extensive for a traditional dental filling.
- A tooth that has been fractured, chipped, or severely worn down.
- A tooth that has undergone a root canal needs protection from fracturing.
- Discolored or misshapen teeth that you wish to cosmetically improve.
- A desire for the most natural-looking dental crown.
Dr. Roberts will perform a thorough examination to determine if this is the right option for you. Call us today at (425) 284-0515 to schedule your consultation.
Caring for Porcelain Tooth Crowns
Maintaining your new porcelain tooth crowns is straightforward and similar to caring for your natural teeth. However, it is important to note that porcelain crowns may gradually wear down the enamel on opposing teeth over time. Regular dental check-ups can help monitor and address any such issues early.
- Brushing and Flossing: Keep up with a consistent oral hygiene routine by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Pay special attention to the gum line around the crown to prevent plaque buildup and decay of the natural tooth structure underneath.
- Dietary Habits: While durable, porcelain can be susceptible to chipping under extreme pressure. Avoid chewing on very hard foods like ice, hard candies, or popcorn kernels.
- Routine Dental Check-ups: Regular visits to our office for cleanings and check-ups are essential. This allows Dr. Roberts to monitor the health of your porcelain dental crowns and the surrounding teeth, helping them last for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Porcelain crowns can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. The lifespan typically ranges from five to 15 years or longer, depending on your oral hygiene habits and whether you avoid chewing on hard objects. With diligent care, they can endure for 10 to 20 years, making them a durable and reliable choice for dental restoration.
No, getting a porcelain crown isn’t painful. The dental crown procedure is performed under a local anesthetic to numb the tooth, so you should not feel any pain during the treatment. Some patients may experience mild sensitivity after the anesthesia wears off, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Additionally, a dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel before bonding the new crown in place, ensuring a secure and natural fit.
An all-porcelain crown is made entirely of ceramic material, offering the most natural appearance. A porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown has a metal base for strength with a layer of porcelain on top for aesthetics. The metal base may occasionally develop a dark line at the gum line over time. Pressed ceramic crowns, on the other hand, feature a hard inner core and closely mimic the translucency of natural tooth enamel, making them another excellent option for achieving a lifelike appearance.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but in dentistry, porcelain is a specific type of ceramic. Generally, porcelain crowns are valued for their superior aesthetics, as they mimic natural teeth, making them a top choice for front teeth. Ceramic crowns, particularly those made of zirconia, are more reliable for molars and back teeth that endure heavy chewing.
Rediscover Your Brilliant Smile with Durable Porcelain Crowns!
A damaged or discolored tooth can impact your confidence and your quality of life. You don’t have to live with a smile you’re not proud of. Dr. Roberts and the team at Dentiste are here to provide the solution that restores both the function and beauty of your smile. Take the first step toward a healthier, more confident you.
Call our Kirkland dental office at (425) 284-0515 to schedule your consultation. We are honored to serve our neighbors from Redmond and Bellevue.