West Hollywood Dentist

One of the Most Trusted Holistic Dentists in Los Angeles, CA

7865 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-2840

With A quarter century experience in dentistry, West Hollywood Holistic and Cosmetic Dentistry offers most dental treatments in one office. Call us today to schedule your free dental consultation.

The Story Behind Dental Crowns

The Story Behind Dental Crowns

If you’ve recently been to a dentist and been told you will need dental crowns, or you’ve been doing some independent research, chances are that you have some questions about what they are and how they work. This blog post will go over all the facts you need to know before making an informed decision on dental crowns.

At the most basic level, a dental crown is a “fake tooth” that goes over a real tooth. They’re often put on teeth that have major issues, such as severe decay. They serve a medical purpose as well as a cosmetic purpose. Dental crowns in West Hollywood can help protect an injured tooth from further damage. For people who are self-conscious about their teeth’s appearance, dental crowns in West Hollywood can be a solution!

Some benefits of dental crowns is that, relatively speaking, the procedure to install them is relatively simple. Very few patients have complications from getting dental crowns put in. Dental crowns are also a quick and easy way to restore teeth to what they looked like many years ago. They can make teeth look young and vibrant. They can also help protect small issues from turning into large ones. For example, if you have a cracked tooth that is likely to turn into an infection, dental crowns can help make an infection less of a possibility. The longevity of dental crowns is also a distinct advantage. Many brands of dental crowns have guarantees that span seven years, but they can last up to even forty years, depending on how well they are cared for.

Of course, once you have dental crowns in West Hollywood put in, there is a strict care regimen you should follow to avoid hardship later. Right after the crown has been installed, you should not feel any pain from the procedure. If you do, it’s a red flag, and you should contact your West Hollywood dentist immediately. Unless you’ve had a root canal, the tooth with the crown recently installed will likely be sensitive to cold food and drinks. Some pain and sensitivity when eating at first is normal. However, if you increasingly notice it more and more, chances are that the crown has been mounted too high. You’ll need to request another appointment to have it moved down some. Otherwise, you will be stuck eating in discomfort for years.

Fortunately, a crown is immune from cavities. That being said, you should still maintain a religious regimen recommended by your dentist. Oral complications can develop, especially starting right above the tooth, making it imperative for you to follow the aftercare plans your dentist writes up for you. One important thing to keep in mind is that it’s a normal occurrence for a dental crown to fall off. Many patients panic and think it’s abnormal, and it’s not. If your crown does happen to fall out of your mouth, please try to collect it and store it somewhere sterile. While it’s not likely it will be reused permanently, your dentist may elect to use it as a temporary crown until you can have another one mounted. While it may not hurt too much, this is an issue that should be resolved quickly. You should never try to put the crown back in yourself unless a dentist instructs you to do so.

It’s no secret to dental experts that dental crowns are not ideal. They can chip, break, become uncomfortable, and require numerous visits to the dentist. Fortunately, there are some prevention mechanisms that you can use if you have not yet had an issue with these. Everyone knows that sports can bring about tooth injuries, so wearing a mouthguard in a contact sport is always preferable, but not always practical. However, a more common reason to need a dental crown is bad eating habits. Having hard foods all the time or habitually chewing ice may open you up to needing a dental crown installed. If you tend to grind your teeth at night (this habit is also known as “bruxism”), you may be doing more damage to your teeth than you think. In this case, it’s best to have a discussion with your dentist about getting a mouthguard to prevent damage to teeth if you grind them at night.

Finally, there is no foolproof way to ensure you won’t need a dental crown installed. There will always be freak accidents, but there are ways to lessen the chances over the long run. If you need dental crowns put in or have other dentistry needs, please contact the best place to get dental crowns in West Hollywood: Holistic Smile Care!

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