Your Caring Dental Office
The Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are an effective and versatile treatment option used to address a variety of dental issues. They are used to cap a tooth with a large filling or that has had root canal therapy, or for cosmetic purposes. They can also be used to attach to dental implants to replace missing teeth, as the implants provide extra support in the jawbone. Dental crowns also provide additional support for dental bridges, and when cared for properly, can be just as healthy and strong as natural teeth. While there are many benefits to getting a dental crown, it is important to consider the pros and cons before making a decision.
Pros of Dental Crowns
- Durability: Dental crowns are extremely durable and are designed to last for many years. They are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and metal alloys, so they can be customized to match the color and shape of your existing teeth.
- Improved Appearance: Dental crowns can be used to improve the appearance of your smile. Crowns can be used to cover up discolored or misshapen teeth and can even be used to make your teeth appear straighter or more uniform in shape.
- Increased Strength: Dental crowns can be used to reinforce a tooth that has been weakened due to decay or trauma. The crowns act as an extra barrier to protect the tooth and prevent further damage.
Cons of Dental Crowns
- Cost: Dental crowns can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Depending on the type of crown you choose, the cost can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
- Time: Getting a dental crown can be a lengthy process. It usually requires two or more visits to the dentist and can take up to two hours per visit. However, some dental offices can provide same-day crowns.
- Sensitivity: After getting a dental crown, some people may experience sensitivity in the area where the crown was placed. This sensitivity can last for a few days or even weeks and can be uncomfortable.
Make an Informed Decision
Dental crowns can be a great option for restoring and strengthening damaged teeth, as well as improving their appearance. However, they can be costly and involve a significant time commitment, and some people may experience sensitivity following the procedure. Before making a decision, it is essential to take into account all the pros and cons of getting a dental crown to determine if it is the right choice for you. If you have more questions about dental crowns, give our office a call, and we’ll be happy to discuss further!
What Issues Can Invisalign® Fix?
Enhance Your Smile with Invisalign®: A Comprehensive Guide
Invisalign® has transformed the landscape of orthodontic treatment, providing a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces. The clear aligner system enables individuals to improve their smiles without the discomfort often associated with braces. While Invisalign® offers an aesthetically pleasing solution, it’s crucial to consider various factors when choosing orthodontic treatment. Our dentists at Highlands Ranch Smiles recommend evaluating your individual situation before making a decision. In this guide, we’ll explore the effectiveness of Invisalign® in addressing specific orthodontic issues.
Invisalign® Treatment for Common Concerns
1. Crooked Teeth
Invisalign® excels in treating crooked teeth, offering a practical solution to align teeth and enhance your smile discreetly.
2. Overbite & Underbite
Addressing both overbites and underbites, Invisalign® can reposition either the top or bottom teeth to achieve proper alignment with the mouth closed.
3. Crossbite
Invisalign® effectively corrects crossbites, ensuring that teeth align correctly when the mouth is closed, preventing misalignments in the back or front teeth.
4. Gaps in Teeth & Crowded Teeth
Whether you have gaps between your teeth or experience crowding, Invisalign® is a versatile solution. It resolves gaps and overcrowding, promoting optimal oral health.
Considerations and Limitations
While Invisalign® is an excellent option for various orthodontic issues, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations. In some cases, traditional braces may be more suitable, especially for severe orthodontic problems, intrusion, and extrusion. It’s worth noting that Invisalign® has evolved over the years, now capable of addressing more complex situations than before.
To determine if Invisalign® is the right choice for you, we recommend consulting with our experts at Highlands Ranch Smiles. Contact our Highlands Ranch, CO, office at 720-644-8186 for personalized guidance on achieving your ideal smile.
Why Are My Teeth Stained?
To many people, a morning coffee or afternoon glass of wine is a ritual that cannot be disturbed or broken, but as there are many joys that come with those drinks there are still many enamel-straining prices. Three different types of staining can happen to your teeth with different causes. Learn more below. If you are unhappy with the color of your smile, Highlands Ranch Smiles in Highlands Ranch, CO, can help!
Types of Stains:
Tooth discoloration can be caused by surface stains, material changes in your teeth, or a mix of the two. Tooth discoloration can be divided into three types, according to dentists:
- Extrinsic Teeth Stains: These stains are a type of discoloration that affects the outer layer of your teeth. Extrinsic stains are not as permanent as the other types, these stains will not respond to simply brushing your teeth. If there are cracks on the teeth they can become deep-set and begin to be harder to remove.
- Intrinsic Teeth Stains: This type of stain will be found on the inner layer of your teeth or the dentin. Though dentin is beneath the tooth enamel, the darkened dentin can cause the whole tooth to appear discolored.
- Age-Related Teeth Stains: Age-related teeth stains are a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. The core tissue of your teeth, the dentin, will naturally yellow over time causing your teeth to become discolored. Another factor that may cause your teeth to show discoloration is that the enamel of your teeth will become thinner allowing the dentin to show through.
Causes of Enamel Stains
There can be many causes when it comes to teeth stains. Certain drinks and foods can cause there to be stains on your teeth, but there can be a biological factor as well. Many times there can be ways to prevent these stains from appearing on your teeth and many that you can not control. This list can help you determine what the cause was behind the stains on your teeth.
- Food & Drink: Coffee, dark sodas, red wine, and some fruits and vegetables can be so acidic that they cause staining.
- Tobacco: Cigarettes and chewing tobacco can contribute to discoloration
- Oral Care: Tooth discoloration can be caused by poor dental hygiene, such as insufficient brushing or flossing.
- Trauma or Disease: Discolored teeth can result from any trauma, illness, or disease that impairs enamel formation in children, whether in the womb or while teeth are developing (under the age of 8). Adult teeth can sometimes become stained as a result of trauma. Discolored teeth can be caused by a number of disorders and therapies, chemotherapy and radiation, for example, cause tooth discoloration.
- Medical Treatments: There are times when some medical treatments can contribute to your teeth staining as well as some medications.
Ways to Help Clear Stains
There are a few remedies that can help lessen the impact of these causes. With the help of some products, the coloration of your stains can become less apparent, but will not fully remove those stains.
- Keeping a consistent healthy oral routine – brushing twice a day and daily flossing
- Twice-yearly visit to your dentist
- Limitation of teeth-staining beverages
- At-home remedies – brushing with baking soda products
- Professional teeth whitening
If you are interested in getting your teeth back to pearly white, contact Highlands Ranch Smiles today for a professional teeth whitening session!
