
Dental Crowns Hilliard, OH
Improving Your Smile and Confidence
Are you looking for a way to restore a damaged tooth and regain your confidence? A dental crown is a long-lasting, natural-looking solution that strengthens a weak tooth, repairs damage, and improves the appearance of your smile.
At Hilliard Modern Dental, in Hilliard, OH, we know how important it is to protect and restore your smile. Whether you need a crown after a root canal or to repair a damaged natural tooth, Dr. Benjamin R. Lamielle, DDS, provides comfortable, personalized care backed by advanced technology and modern materials.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers and protects an existing tooth. The crown restores both strength and appearance, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. Unlike a filling material that only repairs part of a tooth, a crown covers the entire tooth above the gum line, making it a durable and effective solution for long-term oral health.
Crowns are a good choice when the tooth structure is too weak for a filling, when a tooth has fractured, or when cosmetic improvement is desired. Many patients choose crowns to restore back teeth, where strength is crucial, or to enhance the appearance of front teeth for a natural, seamless smile.
Ready to restore your smile? Call our Hilliard dental office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lamielle today.
Why You Might Need a Dental Crown
There are many reasons why Dr. Lamielle may recommend a dental crown. Crowns aren’t just for cosmetic improvement; they play an essential role in protecting your teeth and maintaining your overall oral health. Below are some of the most common situations where a crown can make a lasting difference.
Strengthening a Weak Tooth
A weak tooth is often vulnerable to cracks or breaks, especially if it has a large filling or has been worn down over time. Placing a crown over the existing tooth reinforces its structure, preventing further damage and avoiding the need for extraction.
Protecting a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal treatment, teeth are often more brittle and susceptible to fracture. A crown provides critical protection, covering the entire tooth to restore strength and function so you can chew and smile without worry.
Restoring a Broken or Severely Worn Tooth
Teeth that have fractured or worn down due to grinding, clenching, or normal wear may not be strong enough to function correctly on their own. A new crown rebuilds the tooth’s shape, size, and durability, allowing you to enjoy daily activities without discomfort.
Supporting Large Fillings
When a tooth has lost a significant amount of structure due to decay or a large filling material, it may no longer have the stability to hold up on its own. A crown covers and protects the tooth, reducing the risk of breakage and keeping your dental health intact.
Improving Appearance
Crowns can also be used for cosmetic enhancement. Whether it’s correcting discoloration, reshaping an irregular tooth, or improving the look of back teeth and front teeth, crowns can provide a more uniform, natural-looking smile.
Protecting Opposing Teeth
In some cases, a crown is placed to help balance your bite and prevent damage to opposing teeth. By creating an even chewing surface, crowns reduce wear and tear throughout your mouth.
A dental crown procedure offers both restorative and cosmetic benefits, making it one of the most versatile treatments in general dentistry.
Types of Crowns
When it comes to choosing a dental crown, you have several options in Hilliard. Crowns are made from various materials, and the best choice for you depends on your specific needs, the location of the tooth, and your personal preferences. Each material offers a different combination of strength, durability, and aesthetics.
Understanding the differences between the types of crowns can help you and Dr. Lamielle make an informed decision for your smile. From the natural look of porcelain to the sheer strength of metal, we will explore the most common options available to you.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are popular for their lifelike appearance. They closely mimic the look of natural teeth, making them an excellent option for visible areas of your smile.
Some key benefits of porcelain crowns include:
- They offer the most natural color match.
- A good choice for patients with metal allergies.
- Ideal for restoring front teeth.
- The porcelain coating creates a very realistic appearance.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are known for both strength and beauty. They are resistant to wear from opposing teeth and are a reliable option for back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces.
Dr. Lamielle may recommend zirconia crowns based on these advantages:
- Extremely durable and resistant to fracture.
- Suitable for both front and back teeth due to their strength.
- Biocompatible, meaning they are safe for your body.
- Gentle on the enamel of opposing teeth.
Ceramic Crowns
Like porcelain, ceramic crowns provide a natural look. They are often used on front teeth for patients who want an aesthetically pleasing restoration without visible metal.
Key features of pressed ceramic crowns are:
- A hard inner core provides enhanced strength.
- Excellent aesthetics that mimic natural tooth enamel.
- Can be used on both front and back teeth.
- Layers of porcelain allow for a customized, natural look.
Metal Crowns and Metal Alloys
Metal crowns, including those made with metal alloys or gold alloy, offer exceptional durability. These are a good choice for patients who need long-lasting restorations, especially for back teeth.
Here’s why our Hilliard patients might consider a metal dental crown:
- Exceptional durability and longevity.
- Rarely chip, break, or wear down.
- Require minimal removal of the existing tooth.
- A good choice for back teeth that handle heavy chewing.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
These combine the strength of a metal base with the cosmetic benefits of a porcelain coating, offering a balance of resilience and natural appearance.
Benefits of PFM crowns include:
- Combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain.
- Can be color-matched to your natural teeth.
- Suitable for both front and back teeth restorations.
- Offers good durability for long-lasting results.
Each type of crown has advantages depending on your needs, and Dr. Lamielle will guide you through your options so you can make the best choice for your dental health.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Getting a dental crown is a straightforward process that typically requires two dental visits to our Hilliard office. The goal of the dental crown procedure is to create a strong, comfortable, and natural-looking restoration that protects your tooth for years to come. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more at ease.
First Visit: Preparing the Tooth
During the first visit, Dr. Lamielle examines the health of a tooth to determine if a crown is the right treatment. If necessary, a root canal treatment may be performed first to remove infection. The tooth is then reshaped so the new crown will fit comfortably and securely.
We’ll take an impression of the prepared tooth using a paste-like substance. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory, where your crown is custom-made to match your natural teeth.
In the meantime, a temporary crown is placed using temporary cement to protect the tooth and maintain function until your permanent crown is ready.
Second Visit: Receiving the New Crown
On your second visit, we remove the temporary restoration and place your new crown. Using high-quality dental cement, the crown is secured in place. The fit, bite, and comfort are carefully checked to ensure your new crown feels and looks like a natural part of your smile.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
With proper care, most dental crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and many patients enjoy their crowns well beyond that. The lifespan of a crown often depends on the type of crown, your daily habits, and your commitment to good oral hygiene.
Brushing with a soft toothbrush, flossing regularly, and keeping up with routine dental visits can extend the life of your crown. It’s also wise to avoid biting into hard foods or chewing ice, as these habits can place extra stress on the crown and the tooth structure underneath.
Materials like zirconia crowns and porcelain crowns bonded to metal alloys are known for their durability, but even the most durable crown can fail without proper maintenance. With careful attention and regular checkups with Dr. Lamielle, your new crown can continue protecting your smile for decades.
Don’t Wait to Protect Your Smile
A dental crown is more than a restoration; it’s an investment in your long-term dental health. Whether you’re repairing a weak tooth, removing severe decay, or completing a root canal treatment, Dr. Lamielle provides expert care to ensure your crown looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Our Hilliard team is dedicated to providing advanced, patient-focused care in a welcoming environment. From traditional impressions to working with a trusted dental laboratory, we ensure every new crown is tailored for comfort, durability, and beauty.
When you choose Hilliard Modern Dental, you’re choosing personalized care designed to keep your smile healthy and strong. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you restore your smile with a custom dental crown. Call 614-529-9644 or request an appointment online.