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Dr. David A. Smith

David A Smith

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317-597-8748
12188-A North Meridian Street, Suite 355,
Carmel, IN 46032
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dental crowns

Could An Aging Crown Destroy Its Tooth?

By on March 9, 2016

 

Dental crowns are some of the most common tooth restorations in the world. If you don’t have one yourself you probably know at least one person who does! With all the dental crowns out there it’s surprising to hear how many people assume incorrect information about them.

The most common misconception is how long they last: the average patient doesn’t consider that crowns have a life expectancy of about 15 years! At our Carmel dentist office we want all our patients to know the ins and outs of dental crowns and their potential problems. Knowing what could happen can help make sure that it never does!

The Aging Of Your Dental Crowns

Every dental crown starts off its life by being permanently cemented over a damaged tooth. The goal of a crown is to restore the function that was lost to tooth damage, and also to protect it from further harm. Crowns are great at that, but there’s still things that can go wrong, just like with any dental restoration.

As a crown ages the potential for problems gets greater and greater. An aging crown can break, wear out, and even just fall off! Proper care can make your crown last much longer, and even keep it alive past its 15 years, if you know what to watch out for.

Tooth Decay: It Gets Everywhere!

Oral bacteria is the constant thorn in the side of all your oral health plans. It will always find a way into the tightest, tiniest spots of your mouth and will end up causing decay in all sorts of places that are hard to notice – including under dental crowns.

The biggest threat to decay under your crowns is gum disease.When oral bacteria ends up under your gumline it causes infection, inflammation, bleeding in the gums, and eventual gum recession. That gum recession is usually how bacteria ends up infiltrating a crown, but it can also worm its way in before recession, since it’s getting exposure to the protected parts of your teeth while under your gums.

Decay under a crown is a huge problem for a variety of reasons. First off, it’s really hard to notice it. In many cases a decay-infested crown doesn’t show up until the crown falls completely off, often taking part of the tooth with it!

Decay under crowns can also lead to such severe tooth damage that there’s no way to reattach the crown. In that case you’re only left with one option, really: extraction.

Keeping decay out from under your crowns requires good oral hygiene along with regular dental care so that we can keep your crown free of hidden oral bacteria.

Crown Breakdown: Because Nothing Lasts Forever

That 15 year figure is just an average for crowns. It’s entirely possible for them to wear out well before the 15 year mark, which is why you have to keep an eye on them as they age. There are a number of things that can happen to crowns that leads to them failing, and some of them are really hard to stop!

  • Chips and cracks in a crown can weaken its structure, making fracture possible. If a crown fractures you’ll need to have it replaced right away!
  • The cement that holds your crown on can wear away too, especially if the crown doesn’t fit snugly enough. When cement on a crown wears off you can end up with decay, or even a crown that pops off when you least expect it. Don’t treat a lost crown like it isn’t a big deal: the tooth underneath it needs the crown to stay safe!
  • An injury, accident, or even just grinding your teeth can weaken a crown or make it fall out prematurely. If you have had any serious trauma to the area of a dental crown it might seem just fine, but it isn’t a bad idea to make an appointment so we can be sure of it!

Crowns Can Help, But They Need Your Support

There isn’t much more in the dental world that is as reliable as a crown. They’re a tried and true restoration that has worked for countless people, and quite possibly for you too. You can trust your crown to do its job, but don’t neglect it or it’ll have a much harder time keeping your tooth safe!

If you’re concerned about the condition of your dental crown don’t hesitate to contact our Carmel office. We want to make sure it lasts as long as it can, and stays in good shape the entire time.

We’re always here to answer questions, so call us today at 317-597-8748. You can also request a crown checkup appointment by filling out our online request form.

 

Comfortable Is The Tooth That Wears The Crown | Carmel, IN

By on December 24, 2015

When you think of crowns, what comes to mind? Kings and queens? Prom or the Homecoming dance?

How about teeth?

Dental crowns may not be as elaborate as the crowns that royalty (real or high school level) may wear, but they are more functional no matter who you are.

At the Really Smile dentist office in Carmel, our goal is to provide “Life Changing Dentistry,” and there aren’t many dental services that will change your life more than dental crowns and bridges.

You may not have a fancy coronation when you get your dental crown, but the procedure will be more meaningful when you see the results.

Why you may need a crown

Dental crowns don’t bestow any power or authority on you. They can give you back a complete smile and full use of your teeth, however.

Dental crowns are used to fix a number of problems that you could be having with your teeth.

For example, if you have suffered tooth decay, your teeth may become weak and sensitive. This weakness can affect your ability to bite and chew your food. This may force you to give up foods like nuts, steak, crunchy fruits and vegetables, and even some desserts.

Your tooth sensitivity could make you to quit having your morning cup of hot coffee or enjoying ice cream or a milk shake.

By replacing your natural crown with a dental crown, you will regain your ability to eat the foods you like without worrying about your ability to chew or bite into it. You also won’t have to worry about hot or cold foods and drinks causing you pain.

Another reason to consider a dental crown is to fix the appearance of discolored teeth. The tooth decay we mentioned could cause your tooth to become black or have dark spots. At the same time, your teeth may have become yellowed by foods you eat, tobacco products, or medications you are taking.

A dental crown can restore the your teeth to a whiter appearance and leave you with a whiter, brighter smile.

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, then a dental crown can fix that problem, too. If you’ve been living with a tooth that is noticeably missing a section, then you can make it whole again.

Likewise, if you have a missing tooth or need one removed, then a dental crown can be placed on a dental implant to fill in the gap in your smile.

Putting on your dental crown

The procedure for placing a dental crown is a relatively simple process.

First, the dentist removes the decayed or discolored parts of your tooth. The tooth is reshaped into an abutment, where the dentist can place your dental crown.

If you have a chipped or broken tooth, the dentist will use a similar process to change the shape of your tooth. After your dental crown is completed, the next step in the procedure is placing it on the abutment.

If you receive a dental implant, the dental crown will be placed on the implant.

In any case, your dental crown will give you the look of a full set teeth, and it will allow you to bite and chew anything you want to eat once again.

Your  dental crown will match the color and shape of your existing teeth so well that many people will never know that one of your teeth isn’t “real.”

Dental bridges to span your gap

If you are missing one tooth or need a tooth fixed, then dental crowns are great, but what if your problem is bigger than one tooth. That’s when we can make a dental bridge for you.

A dental bridge is composed of multiple dental crowns that have been bonded together. When we place your bridge, the procedure is similar to what we do for a dental crown.

We may first need to remove the tooth or teeth in the middle of where your bridge will be placed. Then we reshape the teeth on each side of that gap into abutments.

The crowns on either end of the bridge are bonded onto those abutments. This provides your bridge with the support it needs to bite into and chew your food.

In cases where tooth removal is the best option, we can place your dental bridge on a dental implant or implants instead.

Keep on smiling

Our name says it all at Really Smile. We want our patients to keep smiling, and we have seen how dental crowns and bridges have made many people happy again. When you have a full set of teeth that work just as well as your real teeth did, we know it will make you smile, too.

To learn more or to make an appointment, call 317-597-8748 or use our online form to schedule your visit to our dentist office in Carmel. We look forward to seeing your and your new smile.

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Monday 7:40 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Friday – Sunday – Closed)

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Meet the Doctor

Dr. David A. Smith explains his vision of life-changing dentistry for Really Smile Dental:

“I chose dentistry as my life’s work because I have the privilege to serve people in a way that is truly life-changing. I was honored with the appointment by Indianapolis Woman Magazine as Makeover Dentist 2008."

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Business Hours

Monday: 7:40 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Friday – Sunday: Closed)

Contact us

Really Smile Dental
Phone: 317-597-8748
Fax: 317-815-1636
URL: reallysmile.com
12188-A North Meridian Street, Suite 355
Carmel, IN 46032

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