Why a Crown Restoration after Root Canal Treatment?

·      Strength-Teeth that have had root canal treatment can be fragile because a large amount of tooth structure is removed during the process. A crown restoration provides strength that resists further fracturing of the tooth.

·      Good Seal-Crown restoration provides a good seal to prevent leakages and recurrent decay.

·      Durability-Strong and resistant to fracture and wear.

·      Longevity-five to fifteen years+. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of wear and tear the crown is exposed to and how well the patient follows good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist as recommended.

If you have further questions regarding the different types of crowns that are appropriate for your dental needs, please contact Dr. Anna Lee at 626-335-5114 or visit our website at www.annaleedds.com

Dr. Lee & staff wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2015!

A Tooth’s need for Root Canal Treatment vs. Crown Restoration

Teeth that have been seriously compromised by cracks, breakage and presence of tooth decay may cause the pulp (living tissues) to be inflamed or infected.  The pulp contains the living tissues, such as the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. "They supply the nutrients and sensations (hot & cold) to the tooth," says Dr. Anna Lee.

Cracked teeth or teeth with deep decay allow bacteria to enter the pulp. Bacteria can cause an infection inside the tooth.  Infection builds up at the root tip, in the jawbone and forms a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone surrounding the tooth.

Symptoms of inflamed/infected pulp can be pain when chewing food, biting pressure and sensitivity to temperatures (hot and cold foods).

Dr. Lee states, "a Root Canal Treatment is needed to remove the inflamed/infected pulp of the tooth."  The canals are cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. A full coverage crown restoration is usually the final restoration for the tooth.

Why Not do a Filling? Because …

 Broken tooth/filling-placing a large filling on a broken tooth may add more stress onto the tooth and cause it to break and be irreparable.

Cracked tooth-a crack can be above or below the gum line. A crack above the gum line can be restored with a crown restoration. A filling cannot restore the crack. "A crack below the gum line may mean the need for root canal treatment or possibly extraction," says Dr. Anna Lee.

Large filling-replacing a filling on a tooth that is larger than the original filling may cause it to break or fracture.

Tooth decay-depending on the size or location of the tooth decay, a filling may be the choice of the restoration. If the filling breaks or fails, a crown restoration is the appropriate treatment.

Teeth that have had root canal treatment can become weak and brittle, meaning they can break easily. Restoring the tooth with a filling is usually a temporary treatment. A crown restoration is the final treatment.

Why do I need a Crown?

A crown restoration may be needed in the following conditions:

·      broken tooth

·      cracked tooth

·      broken filling

·      large filling

·      tooth decay

·      tooth after root canal treatment

Not sure if a crown is the right fit for you. Contact Dr. Anna Lee today for more information. 

Cosmetic Dentistry-Ceramic Crowns Can Make Your Smile Beautiful!

All Ceramic Crowns are fabricated entirely out of a glass-like compound such as porcelain. There are 2 ceramic materials that are the clinicians’ favorites today: lithium disilcate and zirconia.

"Lithium disilicate restorations are the most esthetic restorations in dentistry today," states Dr. Anna Lee.  These restorations match the esthetic characteristics of natural teeth very closely.  Multiple-unit restorations (fixed bridges) are not recommended at this time.

Lithium disilicate restorations are good choices for single unit restorations, both anterior and posterior teeth.

Zirconia restorations are strong restorations but are not as esthetic as the lithium disilicate restorations. Early zirconia materials were opaque and white and were not recommended for front teeth restorations. However, remarkable progress has been made. There are changes being made in full-zirconia restorations, including the availability of numerous colors of zirconia and the development of more translucencies.

Zirconia restorations are good choices for single unit restorations for the posterior teeth.  

 

Cosmetic Dentistry & Your Smile!

Porcelain-Fused-to Metal (PFM) Crowns are fabricated from both metal and porcelain. Porcelain is fused to an underlying metal substructure to form the overall shape of the crown.

The advantages of PFM Crowns are esthetics, strength and durability. The principal uses are crowns and fixed bridges. Different shades of porcelain can mimic natural tooth appearance.

The disadvantages of PFM Crowns are that they may wear opposing teeth, porcelain on the crown may fracture, dark lines along the crown margin and lifeless appearance.  Dental studies have shown that the porcelain of PFM Crowns can rapidly wear opposing teeth when the porcelain becomes rough; the porcelain surface should be re-glazed or polished adequately after occlusal adjustment. Another disadvantage is that the porcelain portion of PFM Crowns may fracture or separate from its underlying metal substructure. Sometimes, replacement of a new crown may be needed.  One of the esthetic complaints from patients is the dark line at the gingival margin of the crown. This usually occurs when the gum tissues recede and the metal margin of the crown shows. The porcelain that is used to mask the metal substructure gives a lifeless or dull appearance of the crown. This would be an important concern for front teeth crown restorations.

"Porcelain-Fused-to Metal Crowns are good choices for crowns and fixed bridges in the posterior area (molars)," Dr. Anna Lee.

Get The Facts About Crowns

Different Types of Crown (Caps)  

 There are a number of factors that need to be considered when making the decision of restoring the tooth with a crown restoration. In general, there are 3 different types of crown restorations: Metal, Porcelain-Fused-to Metal (PFM) and all Ceramic.

Metal Crowns are fabricated entirely out of metal. There are a number of types of dental alloys; they are high noble metal (precious), noble metal (semiprecious) and non-noble metal (base).

High noble alloys contain 60% noble metal (gold, platinum, and/or palladium), of which over 40% is gold. Noble alloys contain 25% noble metal.  Non-noble alloys contain less than 25% noble metal with the other contents being nickel, chromium or beryllium. Some people are allergic to nickel.

The advantages of metal crowns are strength, longevity, biocompatibility, and good fit.  Metal crowns have high strength and toughness that resist fracture and wear. They provide a good seal against leakages. The high noble metals are the most biocompatible to the gingival tissues.

The disadvantages of metal crowns are esthetics, sensitivity and cost. The metal colors are silver or gold and they do not mimic natural teeth.  Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold after crown cementation.  Some people reported that they are allergic to non-noble alloy such as nickel. Noble and high noble metals cost more than the non-noble metals.

All metal crowns are good choices for patients with strong bites and those with parafunctional habits, such as grinding or clenching.