Dental Crowns Woodland Hills, CA

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are one of the most popular types of dental restorations and for good reason. Crowns aren’t just beautiful and durable — they’re also very versatile, and they can be used to treat lots of issues. As a top cosmetic dentist in Woodland Hills, Dr. John Chaves uses crowns to restore and strengthen teeth, so patients of all ages can enjoy better oral health and more beautiful smiles. Here’s how crowns work.

Dental Crowns in Woodland Hills, CA

Dental crowns are very strong “jackets” that are designed to cover the entire visible part of a tooth, from the tip of the tooth all the way down to the gum line. Crowns are made of durable materials that can be shaped and tinted to match your surrounding teeth, so they blend in beautifully to create a natural-looking result.

Today’s crowns can be beneficial for lots of patients, and they’re often used for cosmetic reasons. Since crowns can be tinted to match healthy tooth material, they’re a great option for patients with deep staining and discoloration that can’t be eliminated with whitening treatments. They’re also a really good choice for covering large metal fillings that tend to turn dark with age, or for restoring the appearance of teeth that are broken, chipped, or have an unusual shape or size.

When preparing for the procedure, we recommend that patients take a day off of work. If possible, you may want to take a couple of days off. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive, and it is easier if you don't have to worry about meeting clients and keeping up with your busy schedule.

But good looks are just one reason why crowns are so popular. For people with badly damaged or weak teeth, crowns provide an extra layer of protection and added strength that can help prevent additional damage. It’s that added strength that makes them a regular treatment following a root canal procedure. Root canal therapy removes decay and damage in the central pulp portion of a tooth. After treatment, the tooth can be a lot weaker than it was when the pulp was healthy and sound. What’s more, once the pulp is removed, treated teeth typically turn dark or gray, making your smile look worn and unattractive. A dental crown corrects both those problems, surrounding the entire tooth with a strong “jacket” that can be tinted to match your neighboring teeth so your smile looks flawless and your tooth stays strong.

Crowns and bridges: A perfect pair

Crowns are also important for patients who need or want to get a dental bridge. A bridge is made up of a metal framework that secures one or more artificial teeth. Bridges are used to span the gap that’s left after one or more teeth are lost due to decay, disease or trauma. Unlike a traditional denture that simply rests on top of your gums, a bridge attaches to the teeth on either side of the gap, providing far more security, especially when you chew or bite. Most bridges are secured permanently to the neighboring teeth, but some bridges can be removed and reattached using special clips.

Bridges are subjected to a lot of stress — the same stress your natural teeth experience when you chew or bite. And that means the teeth they’re attached to are subjected to a lot of stress, too. In order to prevent damage, those supporting teeth are covered with protective crowns before your bridge is placed. The crowns provide a very secure attachment for your bridge, and they also strengthen the underlying tooth so it won’t crack, chip or break.

Crown application by a leading Woodland Hills cosmetic dentist

As with any dental procedure, a successful crown application starts by choosing the right dentist for the job. Dr. Chaves is recognized as a leading provider of crowns and other state-of-the-art restorations for patients in and around Woodland Hills, using the most advanced techniques and materials for optimal, customized results.

Before your crown is applied, Dr. Chaves will evaluate your teeth carefully, taking X-rays and other images as needed to ensure the crown is properly shaped and fitted. Next, he’ll shape your tooth, removing some of the tooth’s outer material to make room for the crown. Lots of patients wonder why tooth material needs to be removed, and the answer is simple: Your crown is a shell that’s designed to fit over your tooth, and that shell has a certain thickness. Some natural tooth material needs to be removed in order to make room for the crown’s thickness and to avoid overcrowding and potentially damaging the teeth on either side of it.

Once your tooth is shaped, Dr. Chaves will make an impression which will serve as a model for your crown, helping ensure the crown fits properly while also remaining in proportion with your other teeth. He’ll also select the proper shade so the new crown blends in.

Next, Dr. Chaves will fashion a temporary crown and place it on your tooth using an adhesive. This temporary crown will protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being made in a dental lab. Once your crown is ready, you’ll come in for your second appointment. Dr. Chaves will remove the temporary crown and clean your tooth before applying the new, permanent crown and affixing it with a very strong dental adhesive that keeps your new crown in place. Finally, he’ll adjust the crown for a perfect fit and buff it to reveal its beautiful shine.

A quick word about whitening

Dental crowns are highly stain-resistant, and that same property makes them resistant to whitening agents, as well. To make sure all your teeth always look their best, it’s a good idea to have a professional whitening treatment first. Then, Dr. Chaves can match your new crown to your natural teeth when they’re their whitest and brightest. And that means when you have whitening treatments in the future, your crown will still blend in beautifully.

Dental Crowns in Woodland Hills, CA

Dental crowns can provide a beautiful, strong solution for patients who want to make sure their teeth stay strong and look great. As a top-ranked dentist in Woodland Hills, CA, Dr. Chaves has the experience, the skill, and the expertise to help you enjoy optimal oral health and a more attractive smile. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an office visit, call the office at 818-999-2707 today.