Can Dental Crowns Be Fitted on the Front Teeth?
Dental crowns are a popular treatment option at Dr. Joan Kirschner’s Plymouth, NH, dental practice. A traditional dental crown fits over an existing tooth and delivers excellent cosmetic results. While many of our patients are familiar with crowns as a treatment for a molar, the restoration can be fitted in the smile zone.
Dental crowns for the front teeth are a great option for teeth that are worn, small, cracked, or misshapen. Or, if you are missing one of your front teeth, our dental practice offers dental implants that can allow a dental crown to be placed over an implant.
Benefits of a Dental Crown for Front Teeth
If you have a worn or misshapen front tooth, you may be a candidate for a porcelain veneer or crown. While veneers only cover the front of a tooth, a crown encases the entire tooth. This often leads to more durable results. Benefits of a crown for the front teeth include:
Improved Support
A crown adds structural support that a veneer may not. If one of your front teeth has suffered a severe chip or crack, a crown can provide the support needed to maintain oral functions and prevent the need for a tooth extraction. By preventing the need to remove the tooth, you can prevent jawbone atrophy.
Once your crown has been placed, you can enjoy the benefits of knowing that your reinforced tooth will not suffer from further damage. Patients should take reasonable precautions when biting with their crowns, but the restorations are designed to withstand the normal wear and tear of biting and chewing.
Long-lasting Results
A crown can last 15 years or much longer. Some patients are able to keep their crown for a lifetime. Dental technology has come a long way. Crowns are now made from porcelain, zirconia, and other incredibly durable materials. Good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to our office can ensure that your crown lasts for many years.
Natural-looking Results
When placing one or more dental crowns in the “smile zone,” Dr. Joan Kirschner will use color-matching technology to ensure that the porcelain caps perfectly match the shade and luster of your natural teeth. Porcelain is the perfect base material for crowns. The material matches the natural reflective properties of enamel.
Our office has made a deliberate decision to not fabricate crowns in-house. While other offices use CEREC® crowns, Dr. Kirschner believes custom-fitted, lab-produced crowns ensure that we're delivering only the highest quality crowns available.
A Crown for a Missing Front Tooth
If you are missing one front tooth, you can have a dental implant surgically placed in your jaw. This titanium post replaces a missing tooth root. Once the implant has fused to the surrounding jawbone tissue, a custom crown can be placed on the implant. One benefit of a dental implant is that neighboring teeth do not have to be altered. Using a traditional bridge to replace a front tooth requires that the two neighboring teeth be shaved down. Dental implants also prevent jawbone atrophy.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation Today
If small, misshapen, or chipped front teeth leave you embarrassed to smile, Dr. Kirschner can have your teeth fitted with beautiful and natural-looking crowns. To schedule your consultation, please contact our office online or call (603) 536-4301.
