A dental crown, also known as a tooth cap, is placed over the entire tooth surface to restore its natural shape and size. They’re used to protect and strengthen a tooth that can’t be restored with dental fillings or other restorative options.
Dental crowns can also be used to replace a missing tooth as part of a dental implant. They’re nearly impossible to distinguish from your neighboring teeth, ensuring a stunning appearance and long-lasting results.
At Smiles for Life, Dr. Heffelfinger creates each dental crown specifically for you ⎼ he matches the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth so it fits comfortably along your gum line. Your crown is custom-made to protect the damaged tooth, strengthen it, and enhance the function and beauty of your smile.
The entire crowning procedure is completed in as little as two appointments to our dental office in Auburn, IN. Dr. Heffelfinger can successfully restore your smile in just a few steps:
Here at Smiles for Life, our valued patients in Auburn and surrounding areas choose dental crowns for a number of reasons, such as:
Regular teeth-whitening treatments won’t work on a dental crown. Our porcelain crowns are resistant to staining and designed to match the color of your natural teeth. If your natural teeth begin to stain, we offer whitening treatments to help ensure they blend in seamlessly with your crown or bridge.
If your crown has been damaged, call our office at (260) 925-4290 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Depending on the severity, Dr. Heffelfinger may be able to repair or replace your crown after examining it.
Both a crown and a filling are solutions to address and prevent further tooth decay. A filling is used when a cavity exists. First, Dr. Heffelfinger will apply a local anesthetic, remove the decayed part of the tooth, and replace it with a filling. Then, your tooth will be buffed to soften the contour.
A crown is used to cover the entire tooth above the gum line and is used to solve a variety of dental issues. When the tooth has severe decay and a filling will no longer address the problem, a crown is needed. A crown can also cover a tooth that is misshaped, discolored, chipped, or broken.
Prior to getting a crown, Dr. Heffelfinger will apply a local anesthetic which will keep you pain-free throughout the procedure. Following the procedure, you may experience minimal discomfort which can be addressed with over-the-counter pain relievers or a cold compress.