4 Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Know About

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If your smile has been affected by cracks, chips, stains, and lost teeth or extracted teeth, you may feel like you’ll never look the same again. That doesn’t have to be the case!

There are many procedures that yourdentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, can use to restore your smile. These procedures, known as restorative dentistry procedures, focus on fixing and replacing teeth that have been transformed by time and injury. Below are some of the restorative dental procedures that can benefit you.

1. Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over the tooth enamel. Once fitted to the tooth, the crown is cemented. Dental crowns are shaped like teeth and can cover a range of cosmetic and structural defects. If you get a root canal, your dentist will automatically install a crown to cover the tooth.

2. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that’s positioned between two healthy teeth. To hold its position in your mouth, the dental bridge is attached to two crowns that fit over the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges are an effective tool for replacing a lost permanent tooth.

3. Dental Implants

A single-tooth dental implant is a standalone tooth that is surgically inserted into the jaw. The screw of the implant holds tight to the bone to keep the implant in place. Dental implants look and function very much like real teeth. Like a dental bridge, an implant is a good tool for replacing a lost permanent tooth.

4. Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed over the tooth to hide cosmetic defects like stains and chips. If you have a tooth that’s structurally sound but just doesn’t meet your expectations for your appearance, you can benefit from a veneer.

The dental professionals at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help with yourdental restoration in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Call today to make an appointment.

Will My Dental Crown Look Like My Other Teeth?

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If you have a tooth with weakened enamel, then you may need a dental crown. If your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, has told you that you need a dental crown, then you may have questions about what a dental crown is and what dental crowns look like. At Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, we’re happy to answer those questions for you. Below are some of the commonly asked questions about dental crowns and their appearance.

What’s a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over your teeth to protect the enamel or cover a cosmetic defect. If you’ve recently had a root canal, your dentist will place a crown over the remaining tooth to protect the enamel and prevent it from cracking.

What Do Dental Crowns Look Like?

Dental crowns are shaped like natural teeth, but their color can vary. The type of material the crown is made from affects what the crown looks like. For example, some crowns are made from tooth-colored resin. These crowns fit in with the other teeth easily, and are hard to distinguish from natural teeth.

Crowns can also be made from metal. Metal crowns are not tooth colored – they can be silver or gold, depending on the type of metal they’re made from. Metal crowns are most often placed in the back of the mouth where they can’t be noticed.

Will Anyone Be Able To Tell If I Have a Dental Crown?

No one will be able to tell if you have a dental crown if you get a crown made from tooth-colored material. Your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry will even match the color of the crown to the other teeth in your mouth.

Do you have questions about dental crowns in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY? Call today to make an appointment.

Can I Choose a Veneer Instead of a Crown?

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A crown and a veneer can both serve as a way to protect your teeth. A dentist in Owensboro, KY can fit both over a real tooth to essentially complete it. However, the nature of the crown is more complex than the veneer. We’ll look at the two, how they both work, and when to opt for one over the other.

Crowns Vs. Veneers

These two types of dental devices can seem simple at first until you figure out that the terms can be used in different ways. Crowns in Owensboro, KY are essentially artificial teeth or partial artificial teeth, typically made from zirconium, porcelain, or composite.

You may get a crown after a root canal, as a way to reinforce a damaged tooth. Or you might get a crown if you have an implant. In this case, the crown becomes the entire replacement tooth as opposed to just an augmentation method. Veneers are made with similar materials, usually either a composite or porcelain, but their structure is different from a crown. Veneers in Owensboro are very thin shells that are essentially made to go over the tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Owensboro, KY

Veneers are often known as cosmetic dentistry because they’re often done to correct issues like yellowing or crowding of the teeth. They’re typically only completed on the visible part of the smile. The word cosmetic does ignore some of the more practical elements of veneers, mainly that they can cover chips are cracks, which will make the tooth stronger overall — the same way a crown would. If you have questions about which one would work best for you, Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry will assess your teeth to tell which one will give you a healthier smile.

dental-crowns

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

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A dental crown can help restore your smile it whole after a tooth is badly damaged. If your dentist has recommended a dental crown to you, here’s what you need to know about crowns, including what they look like, what purpose they serve, and how they’re maintained.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that’s placed on the teeth to protect the enamel and cover up any cosmetic defects that are visible. Crowns can be on implants to create a prosthetic tooth that fills a gap with a missing tooth. A crown can also be used to protect a tooth after a root canal has been performed.

What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Dental crowns are made of varying materials, which means that you can pick the type of material that you’d like for your crown. Some examples of materials that dental crowns can be made from include:

  • Gold. Gold is long-lasting and durable, and is commonly used for teeth near the back of the mouth.
  • Resin. Resin is a material that can be made to look like a natural tooth, but it’s not as strong or as long-lasting as metal. Resin is a budget-friendly dental crown material.
  • Porcelain. Porcelain is a strong material that can be colored to look like a natural tooth.

Do Dental Crowns Look Like Natural Teeth?

Unless you’re getting a crown made of metal, your dentist in Owensboro, KY will choose a material that matches the color of your other teeth, so your crown should look natural.

How are Dental Crowns Maintained?

Brush your crown like you would your other teeth, twice daily, with a non-abrasive toothpaste.

Need dental crowns in Owensboro, KY? Contact Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry. We’ll be happy to answer your questions about dental crowns.

3 Best Tips When Caring For Your Crowns And Bridges

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Your teeth are more than just your precious smile; they need to be further safeguarded from damage, plague, and some unsanitary habits. While Travis Wilson DMD installs extremely long-lasting and effective crowns and bridges in Beaver Dam, KY, there are some things to keep in mind during your aftercare to reduce the damage done to your new crown or bridge.

Keep Brushing and Flossing at Regular Intervals

After the initial period, your healthcare professional will consult with you to give you the green light to resume normal eating and brushing habits. Remember to keep up with this regularly, at least once or twice a day, or as directed. When brushing, make sure to follow the proper directions and not to overbrush, as this can damage the bridge and crown, as well as reduce the gum line of other teeth in your mouth.

Remember to floss and apply mouthwash or an oral rinse as necessary.

Avoid Hard, Hot, and Cold Foods

This is true, especially for the beginning stages, where your crown and bridge are most susceptible to damage. While this can be considered good hygiene for your new implant, it is great advice across the board for regular dental and mouth hygiene. Extreme temperatures can reduce the enamel on your teeth and damage the porcelain of your crown and bridge. Chewing on ice and hard candy can damage teeth and fillings alike, so it is best to avoid them.

Schedule Regular Cleanings and Check-ups in Beaver Creek, KY

Now that you have your new crown or bridge, it is best to keep attending regular or more frequent cleanings to wash away any impurities or plague. During your free consultation and appointment with Travis Wilson, DMD of Beaver Creek, KY, you can explore options and a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Hollywood smile with porcelain crowns and veneers

Caring for Your New Porcelain Crown: Tips to Remember

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When it comes to protecting a tooth from further damage or even making it more aesthetically fitting for the long term, dental crowns in Beaver Dam, KY are highly effective. Dental crowns can be made out of a few different materials, but porcelain is one of the more common. Take a look at a few care tips to keep in mind after you are fitted with a new porcelain crown.

Remain consistent with oral hygiene habits

While a porcelain crown is synthetic, the surrounding or supporting natural tooth still needs your everyday attention when you brush and floss. If you are not vigilant about oral hygiene, it can lead to issues with the natural tooth that put the new crown at risk.

Watch out for foods that could cause breakage

Porcelain is a dense and durable material, but it can be damaged just the same. Watch out for foods that could cause direct damage, such as hard candy, ice, or anything that is excessively crunchy. If at any time you spot an area of your new crown that appears damaged, be sure to reach out to a dentist as soon as possible before the problem grows more severe.

Keep your annual dental checkup appointments

During your annual visit to the dentist for a checkup, the dentist will be examining the crown to ensure it is still bonded in place, not showing signs of damage or wear, and properly supported. One of the biggest reasons for crown failure is lack of dental care, so be sure to continue to keep your appointments annually.

Talk to a Dentist About Dental Crowns in Beaver Dam, KY

When properly cared for, a well-placed dental crown can last for many years. If you need a dentist in Beaver Dam, KY that can help you get a dental crown, reach out to us at the office of Travis Wilson D.M.D. to schedule an appointment.

picture of family smiling

Why You Might Need Dental Crowns or Bridges

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Dental crowns and bridges are common types of dental devices used for either replacing teeth or protecting damaged teeth. Both are fixed in place rather than being removable, such as dentures. Find out more about crowns and bridges, including why your dentist might recommend one of these options.

Purpose of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are coverings or caps that go on damaged teeth. These caps can help restore these teeth to their normal function, which corrects problems with chewing or biting. When you have a dental crown on a damaged tooth, you’ll be able to bite down again instead of avoiding using that tooth. This helps ease excess wear and tear on surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns can also improve the appearance of damaged teeth by making them look whole and natural again. In some cases, dentists place dental crowns on implants that are used for replacing missing teeth. Your dentist might talk to you about getting a dental crown if you have a tooth that is damaged from decay or if you have a fractured tooth. Dental crowns can also be used for covering teeth that have had a root canal or teeth that have an irregular shape.

picture of family smiling

Purpose of Dental Bridges

A bridge helps replace missing teeth by anchoring an artificial or replacement tooth to the teeth on either side. When you have a missing tooth, this gap can end up affecting the teeth next to it. They might shift toward the gap, which affects your jaw alignment. You might also have a higher risk of gum disease and other problems when you have missing teeth.

Your dentist might discuss getting a dental bridge if you have at least one missing tooth. Filling in this gap with a replacement tooth helps prevent jaw alignment problems, gum disease risks, and other dental problems. Having a bridge can also improve your smile, especially if the missing tooth is in a visible area of your mouth.

If you think you might need dental crowns or bridges, please contact Travis Wilson D.M.D. to set up an appointment.