Dental crowns are placed over teeth that have been impacted by trauma or severe decay and act to protect these vulnerable teeth from further damage. Often used to prevent tooth extraction, dental crowns can also be placed following extraction or tooth loss, and are commonly used to restore dental implants and dental bridges.
Many of the dental crowns offered at our Indianapolis office are crafted on site, enabling us to place them during a single office visit. Using CEREC technology, Dr. Phelps is able to create custom-fitted restorations that can be perfected and placed in just one day. Compare this to the three or four visits required for the placement of traditional crowns and CEREC alternatives become very attractive. Dr. Phelps can discuss this in greater detail during your next appointment.
Whitening Dental Crowns
Dental crowns may be made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. CEREC dental crowns are made of ceramic. None of these materials are able to be whitened with topical bleaches.
Similar to all restorations, you cannot whiten dental crowns. If your crowns become stained or discolored, you will need to replace them in order to restore a white appearance. However, there are steps you can take to keep dental crowns bright and stain-free, and they don’t require much – if any – modification to your daily oral hygiene routine.
To help prevent staining your dental crowns, consider reducing your intake of beverages and foods that can stain teeth. If you do drink cola, coffee, or tea, consider using a straw to avoid impact with the surface of your restorations, and be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help rinse teeth clean.
You can further protect your restorations by:
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to brush after every meal
- Flossing in between every tooth both morning and night
- Visiting our office every six months for professional services.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste will help prevent your scratching your dental crowns. Scratches on the surface of crowns can invite staining. Preventing these scratches can help keep your crowns bright and white for several years.
It is important to remember that, even with proper care, your dental crowns will not look brand new for life. During your routine visits with Dr. Phelps, we can assess the strength and appearance of all of your restorations. If replacements are needed or desired, we can craft new restorations in our office or order new porcelain crowns during these visits.
No dental restorations can be topically whitened. However, teeth whitening is incredibly effective for the lightening of tooth enamel. Teeth adjacent to those that have been restored with a dental crown, white filling, inlay or onlay, bonding or veneer, are often whitened when restorations are placed, helping ensure a consistent appearance. This option can be discussed and revisited as needed to help keep your smile bright and attractive for years to come.
If you live in Indianapolis and are in need of a dental crown, please call Dr. John R. Phelps at 317-793-6133 to schedule your initial consultation today. We welcome patients living in Carmel, Noblesville, and all surrounding areas of Indianapolis.
Many of the dental crowns offered at our Indianapolis office are crafted on site, enabling us to place them during a single office visit. Using CEREC technology, Dr. Phelps is able to create custom-fitted restorations that can be perfected and placed in just one day. Compare this to the three or four visits required for the placement of traditional crowns and CEREC alternatives become very attractive. Dr. Phelps can discuss this in greater detail during your next appointment.
Whitening Dental Crowns
Dental crowns may be made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. CEREC dental crowns are made of ceramic. None of these materials are able to be whitened with topical bleaches.
Similar to all restorations, you cannot whiten dental crowns. If your crowns become stained or discolored, you will need to replace them in order to restore a white appearance. However, there are steps you can take to keep dental crowns bright and stain-free, and they don’t require much – if any – modification to your daily oral hygiene routine.
To help prevent staining your dental crowns, consider reducing your intake of beverages and foods that can stain teeth. If you do drink cola, coffee, or tea, consider using a straw to avoid impact with the surface of your restorations, and be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help rinse teeth clean.
You can further protect your restorations by:
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to brush after every meal
- Flossing in between every tooth both morning and night
- Visiting our office every six months for professional services.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste will help prevent your scratching your dental crowns. Scratches on the surface of crowns can invite staining. Preventing these scratches can help keep your crowns bright and white for several years.
It is important to remember that, even with proper care, your dental crowns will not look brand new for life. During your routine visits with Dr. Phelps, we can assess the strength and appearance of all of your restorations. If replacements are needed or desired, we can craft new restorations in our office or order new porcelain crowns during these visits.
No dental restorations can be topically whitened. However, teeth whitening is incredibly effective for the lightening of tooth enamel. Teeth adjacent to those that have been restored with a dental crown, white filling, inlay or onlay, bonding or veneer, are often whitened when restorations are placed, helping ensure a consistent appearance. This option can be discussed and revisited as needed to help keep your smile bright and attractive for years to come.
If you live in Indianapolis and are in need of a dental crown, please call Dr. John R. Phelps at 317-793-6133 to schedule your initial consultation today. We welcome patients living in Carmel, Noblesville, and all surrounding areas of Indianapolis.
