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Dental Crowns on the Front Teeth: More Natural Smiles

It is sometimes vital to place dental crowns on the front teeth. The crown used for the front teeth is produced using tooth-colored materials such as resin or porcelain. These materials are usually resistant to stains, but patients still need to take care of their oral health to keep their smile looking attractive and natural.

The need to crown a front tooth

A front tooth may need a dental crown for many reasons. In most situations, the crown is placed solely for restoration purposes. Other times, the crown may serve cosmetic reasons. According to the National Institute of Health, a dental crown is placed on a front tooth for the following reasons:

Severe tooth decay
Severe tooth damages, such as a serious crack
Tooth breakage
Root canal treatment

For back teeth, the dentist may suggest a porcelain-fused metal crown. However, tooth-colored ceramic crowns are more commonly used for front teeth since they do not hamper the outlook of the smile. Since the front teeth are not exposed to the same level of pressure as molars, they do not need strong metal crowns.

Improving the appearance of the front dental crowns

The dentist will carefully match the color of the dental crown with the existing natural teeth so that it will not look odd. Before placing the crown, the color of existing teeth must be considered. If they need whitening, the procedure must be done before matching the crown’s color. If the color is matched before teeth whitening is done, the dental crown will look darker than the remaining teeth. According to the American Dental Association, it is not possible to whiten dental crowns.

The material used for creating the crown is what determines how much it blends in. Porcelain crowns look more realistic and natural because porcelain has the same translucency as the natural enamel. In contrast, metal fused with porcelain and tooth-colored resin appear less opaque and less realistic. To obtain the best results with porcelain crowns, the dentist must be experienced in applying proper techniques.

Caring for the front tooth crown

Taking care of the dental crown is the same as caring for natural teeth. Patients are advised to brush and floss daily and go to the dental office regularly to monitor their crown and oral health. Good fluoride toothpaste is vital to keep the oral cavity clean, healthy, and free of infections. The rule is to avoid overly abrasive toothpaste that could harm the crown.

Extra caution is essential to prevent damages to the crown. This means avoiding seemingly harmless but bad habits that may chip or crack the porcelain. Such practices include:

Biting pens
Ice chewing
Nail biting
Teeth grinding
Using the teeth to open bottles and cut items

Also, patients should stay away from heavily dyed foods and drinks. While porcelain does not easily stain, nearby teeth could get easily stained and making the tooth crown appear odd.

In conclusion

Generally, there is no harm in placing dental crowns on the front teeth. The purpose of the procedure is to restore the function and appearance of the teeth. After placing the procedure, your smile will still appear natural and healthy.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentalartsofok.com or call Dental Arts of Catoosa at (918) 937-2787 for an appointment in our Catoosa office.

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