Dental Crowns in Bowling Green

Dental crowns are also sometimes called “caps,” because they’re designed to cap and cover your entire tooth structure. In the past, they were mostly made from metals like gold and steel. Today, though, porcelain crowns are typically preferred, since porcelain is very close to natural enamel in translucence and appearance.
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Your crown is designed to look and feel just like a natural tooth. To get a crown, your existing tooth structure will be trimmed, then dental impressions and images will be taken of the tooth. After this, Dr. Packard will work with a dental lab to create a custom-made crown that will fit onto your remaining tooth structure, and this crown will be bonded into place to restore your tooth. 
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Crowns are usually used to restore teeth that have large cavities, or to protect teeth after root canal therapy. They can also be used to treat teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or broken by dental trauma. Crowns are also sometimes used for cosmetic purposes if an alternative treatment like a veneer or dental bonding is not suitable for restoring a particular tooth.

Dental crowns can last up to 20 years or longer with proper placement and care. After you get a dental crown, you can treat it just like a natural tooth. Brush and floss twice a day, and make sure to see a dentist like Dr. Bryan Packard every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam. During your appointment in Bowling Green, Dr. Packard will be able to check your crown and your oral health, and ensure that it’s still in great shape. 
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In addition, you may want to avoid eating extremely tough, chewy, and sticky foods on the side of your mouth where you have a dental crown. Caramel or gummy candies, for example, may eventually loosen the crown over time and cause it to fail prematurely. Even if this happens, though, reattaching a crown is a simple process. 

No. The process of getting a dental crown is minimally-invasive, since only enamel from the outside of your tooth must be removed. In addition to this, your mouth will be completely numb during the process, ensuring you don’t feel any pain or discomfort.
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You can also be sedated during your appointment at Precision Dental in Bowling Green if Dr. Packard approves you for sedation dentistry at our office, so you can get the dental care you need, even if you’re anxious or nervous about getting a crown.

The process for getting dental crowns begins with a consultation in our office with Dr. Packard. He will examine your tooth and take x-rays to ensure you don’t have a tooth infection that requires a root canal. If he decides a crown is the best option, we will file down a layer of your tooth that is proportional to the thickness of the crown.

An impression is then taken of your tooth and sent to a dental lab that will fabricate the dental crown. A shade guide will also be used to match the crown to the shade of your natural teeth. Using this information, the dental lab can create a customized dental crown that matches your natural teeth in size, shape, and color.

It will take a few weeks before your crown is ready. In the meantime, we will place an immediate temporary crown over your filed tooth for protection and aesthetics. We will call you back for a second appointment once we’ve received your official dental crown. 

The temporary crown will be removed and we will check the fit and appearance of the dental crown before cementing it to your tooth and polishing it.

After receiving a dental crown, you must maintain good oral hygiene practices that will keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Even after protecting and restoring your tooth with a crown, your tooth is still at risk from cavity-causing bacteria if you don’t regularly brush and floss. You may feel some minor tooth sensitivity in the first few days. We recommend that you use a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth until this resolves.

You should brush twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. You should also carefully floss between all of your teeth and your crown at least once a day. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are important to attend every 6 months. This will remove plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay and your dentist will check on the condition of your dental crown.In terms of lifestyle, we recommend you avoid the following:

- Smoking
- Consuming staining foods & drinks
- Chewing on objects, nails, ice, or using teeth to open packages
- Chewing on hard, crunchy, or sticky foods
- Grinding your teeth at night - wear a mouthguard