Dental Crowns – Vero Beach, FL

What Can I Eat with a Temporary Crown?

As you likely guessed from the name, a temporary crown is not designed to last. So, it’s important that you take certain precautions while you have one, including avoiding crunchy and sticky foods. It’s also a good idea to exercise caution with very hot and cold foods, like soup and ice cream, to avoid sensitivity. Basically, it’s best to stick to cottage cheese, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and other extremely soft foods since they don’t require much chewing power.

Are Dental Crowns Permanent?

Even your final restoration will not be permanent. The good news is that yours can last for well over a decade if you take good care of it. That starts with daily habits, like brushing your teeth twice a day, and extends to coming to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

Important reminder: If you start to notice anything unusual, like your dental crown has a noticeably worse appearance, don’t wait – contact us ASAP to schedule an appointment.

Is It a Dental Emergency If Your Crown Falls Off?

Losing a crown isn’t as urgent as some other dental injuries, like a knocked-out tooth. With that said, we do recommend calling our Vero Beach dental team right away. Over the phone, we can learn more about what happened, schedule an appointment at our office before the end of the week, and walk you through how to protect your tooth and your restoration in the meantime.

Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?

We can say with complete confidence that dental crowns in Vero Beach look and feel extremely natural. There are a few reasons for this, starting with the fact that they are crafted from only the best dental materials. The size, shape, and shade of each one are also custom-made for you, which ensures that it won’t feel bulky or unnatural in any way.

Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?

No, dental crowns cannot be whitened like your natural teeth. Fortunately, they also don’t discolor as easily as your natural teeth either. So, if you brush consistently, use a straw when drinking coffee, and schedule a dental cleaning every six months, it should stay in pristine condition year after year.

Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?

This list of FAQs wouldn’t be complete without answering this question. Rest assured, we will numb your mouth thoroughly while addressing decay or any other damage. As for the second visit, which is when we will secure the final dental crown in place, it’s not usually necessary to use a local anesthetic. With that said, we are here to help you have the calm, comfortable experience that you deserve. So, if you would feel better if we numbed your mouth for the placement, don’t hesitate to let us know!

Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?

When choosing to use your dental insurance to cover the cost of dental crowns in Vero Beach, you can expect your insurer to pay a portion of the total cost, not all of it. Also, if you have one or more crowns placed for cosmetic purposes, it’s unlikely they’ll be covered at all.

Dental insurance companies only pay a portion of treatment when it is medically necessary, so if you have damaged or decayed teeth that need repair, you can expect anywhere from 50-80% of the total to be picked up by your insurance company.

Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?

No, a dental crown cannot develop a cavity; however, the tooth that resides underneath the restoration can still be vulnerable to decay and damage. This is why it’s important to take proper care of your dental crown so that bacteria, food particles, and other debris do not access the tooth underneath.

While it is true that dental crowns cannot last forever, requiring replacement after 15+ years, you can be sure to practice good oral hygiene, see your dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning, and avoid harmful habits to keep your smile healthy day after day.

What Can Happen If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?

Waiting longer than necessary to receive a dental crown can put the remainder of your smile at risk. Not only can decay spread to nearby teeth and other areas of the mouth, but you might require a more invasive method of treatment to fix it, such as a root canal or tooth extraction.

The best step you can take is to seek professional treatment as soon as possible if you notice that your tooth needs added protection. Also, if you have an existing crown and believe it needs work, don’t wait to come in and see us.

How Can You Tell When a Dental Crown Needs to be Replaced?

In most cases, your dentist in Vero Beach will be able to tell you if you need to have your dental crown replaced. However, if you notice any of the following before arriving for your appointment, you can expect to be recommended for treatment.

Some of the most common signs associated with dental crown replacement include:

• Pain that resides underneath the crown
• A dark line that forms along the base (this will usually only occur when using amalgam materials)
• A loose crown that could fall out when trying to eat
• Your crown is damaged (i.e., chipped, cracked, or discolored)

The best thing you can do is call and schedule an appointment with your restorative dentist right away. This will give you the greatest chance to save your smile and avoid further problems in the future.

Are Dental Crowns Permanent?

Though very long-lasting, dental crowns themselves aren’t permanent. The caps have limited lifespans – an average of five to fifteen years – and need replacement every so often.

The only thing “permanent” about crown treatment is how it alters your teeth. After all, a dentist must reshape your tooth to make room for the final restoration. The enamel “shaved away” by this process doesn’t grow back, meaning you’ll always need a dental crown in the future.

Granted, you can take steps to help your crown last as long as possible. These include good oral hygiene habits, regular dental checkups/cleanings, proper use of a mouthguard, etc.

Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?

Even if rumors say otherwise, it honestly doesn’t hurt to get a dental crown in Vero Beach. The treatment process is pain-free, smooth, and lacks any discomfort.

The treating dentist will numb your mouth before they even start working. By applying a topical anesthetic to the treatment site, they’ll ensure you don’t feel a thing from the crown work. The most you might sense is slight pressure as the dental team “prepares” your tooth.

If you do experience aches, they’ll likely occur after your treatment is over. Such soreness is temporary and fades within a few days. Also, taking over-the-counter medications should help you manage it.

Are Dental Crowns Safe?

A dental crown should be 100% safe, assuming it’s placed by a trained and experienced dentist. The cap will protect your tooth without harming your smile (or other body parts).

For starters, our office only uses materials like ceramic for dental crowns. Such substances are free of toxins and unlikely to cause allergic reactions (and similar effects). To that extent, your final crown shouldn’t lead to lasting concerns or complications for you.

The placement process of dental crowns is also safe. When dentists “prep” your teeth for them, they only shave away slight amounts of enamel. The final crown compensates for this lost material, so treatment won’t put you at greater risk of cavities, tooth sensitivity, etc.

Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?

As sad as it is to say, dental crowns can’t be whitened. Their makeup prevents treatment from altering their coloring.

Note that teeth whitening works by “bleaching” your smile. Once its special gel enters the tiny pores in your tooth enamel, it removes stains built up from food debris, plaque, etc. Dental crowns lack such pores because they’re artificial; the result is that bleaching gel won’t affect them.

If you want to correct this issue, talk to your local dentist. They may suggest that you get teeth whitening before your final crown is placed. That way, your restoration will match the ideal shade you want.