Dental Caps and Crowns

Cracked, worn, discolored or broken teeth fixed with cosmetic dentistry

For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth.  The only other alternative was gold, and that was too expensive for most folks.

Now there is a new and economical way to restore teeth in the Salt Lake area using tooth-colored resin fillings.  The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix.  The putty-like material is then bonded to the tooth with a high-intensity light.  This process hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.

Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before, due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth.  Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings. Resin restorations can range from $150 to $350 per tooth.

Please call our office at The Center of Dental Professionals  with any questions you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.

Tooth-colored dental restorations

For over 100 years, dentistry has restored teeth, primarily, with a material made of mercury and silver.  This material has done its job well, although we have had to live with certain weaknesses. These weaknesses include cracking teeth due to material expansion, and restorations turning black as the silver in the material corrodes.

At The Center of Dental Professionals, we have many techniques to provide tooth-colored restorations.  We can provide a strong, healthy smile using adhesives to bond tooth parts that look and act like teeth. We offer the latest in new and exciting adhesion dentistry techniques.

Cosmetic dentistry dental crowns

Teeth are often restored with fillings made of silver or composite plastics.  These materials can often accomplish the aim of replacing the part of the tooth that has been lost in a strong and attractive manner.

However, there comes a point when the damage to the tooth is so severe that the structure can no longer hold a filling.  In this case, the restoration must be done using techniques that will attach to the remaining tooth, stand-up under heavier use and meet more elaborate cosmetic requirements.

A crown is the dental restoration procedure used to strengthen and restore the entire top of a tooth.  The crown can also be part of the attachment for a fixed bridge and is often used in tooth replacement cases.  As a result, the tooth is strengthened because it is covered from the outside with a casting of metal or ceramic material that wraps and splints the tooth.

Chewing can be improved because the crown can be reshaped to more efficiently match opposing teeth.  A crown can also improve cosmetic appearance, as modern ceramic processes can produce translucency and color that is more natural than ever before.

Please call our office at (801) 747-8018 for a cosmetic consultation.

Composition of dental crowns

At The Center of Dental Professionals our dental crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain.   Crowns can also be made of stainless steel, but these crowns are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear.

Porcelain crowns are usually built on a metal base that fits snugly over the natural tooth.  We will choose a porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth.

Porcelain crowns are usually so carefully matched in color that they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth.  Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence this gives them.

New materials are now available that allow the use of “all-ceramic” crowns, in some cases.  They have a beautiful life-like appearance and short-term studies support their success, with long-term trials ongoing.

Crowns also can be made of all gold.  Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from other teeth in appearance.  At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not overly important. At The Center of Dental Professionals we will discuss the types of materials available if we recommend a crown.

Call us at (801) 747-8018 for a complete evaluation of your cosmetic needs.

Dental crown care

An Ounce of Prevention Is Still the Rule!

Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed well and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum disease.

Regular brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!

Dental crowns that reflect light with a natural healthy glow are now available at The Center of Dental Professionals.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at (801) 747-8018 if you believe you would benefit from these advancements.  Together, we can help bring a smile back to your face.