dental crown Archives | Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Farhat of Dental 1 Care

Crowns Versus Bridges

January 22, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

Dental Crowns and bridges are restorative options for chipped, cracked, broken or even missing teeth. But, what do these restorations refer to and when is each best suited for you? Read on and discover the answers to these and more questions as shared by the professionals at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crowns are also referred to as tooth caps or dental caps. These restorations cover every part of the tooth above the gum line. This restoration is best suited for situations when your tooth needs to have its strength or esthetic appearance improved.

At Dental One Care, we make crowns that resemble your natural teeth. It is therefore hard to distinguish a tooth with a crown from another without one. We can use different materials, such as ceramic, porcelain, resin, metal or a combination of these materials. All that you have to do is tell your dentist in Sterling Heights MI your needs and our team will recommend the best option to address your needs.

When is a Dental Crown Needed?

You may need a dental crown if an injury has caused a tooth to chip, crack or fracture. A crown is also useful if one or more teeth have a cosmetic defect, such as stains. People whose teeth have been weakened by a root canal procedure, tooth decay, bruxism or other mechanical stress can also benefit from the functional and cosmetic roles of dental crowns. You can talk to an orthodontist in Sterling Heights if you have any of the conditions for which a crown can help.

What Are Dental Bridges?

When you join several dental crowns together, that multi-crown restoration is called a dental bridge. It is useful when a patient has more than one missing tooth. A bridge gets its stability from the dental structures, such as implants or nearby natural teeth, on which it is anchored.

As is the case with crowns, dental bridges can also be made from a variety of materials. The dentist will assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate material.

If you are missing all the natural teeth in your lower or upper arch, Dental One Care recommends that you get a fixed dental bridge. This is because this permanent restoration will restore full functionality to your oral structures. Your smile will also be more pleasing since the bridge will have crowns that are tooth-like.

Why Missing Teeth Should Be Replaced Promptly

When you don’t replace a missing tooth promptly, the remaining teeth are likely to shift towards the gap. This can cause your teeth to become misaligned or crooked. You also risk looking older than you are because your facial appearance will alter as bone resorption occurs in the space left by the missing tooth. Dr. Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport LA, also warns that you are likely to develop bite problems as your remaining teeth shift and bite forces are no longer distributed evenly as you eat.

Needless to say, missing teeth can make it hard for you to speak or eat. It is therefore in your best interest to see an orthodontist in Sterling Heights MI so that an appropriate restoration can be provided. This is to restore the function and appearance of your smile.

Taking Care of Your Bridge or Crown

The first step to maintaining your dental bridge or crown is by being particular about your oral hygiene. Additionally, you need to visit Dental One Care regularly for a check-up and cleaning. Our professionals will use these bi-annual visits as an opportunity to check the condition of your crown or bridge to notice any issue.

If you are interested in learning more about dental bridges and crowns, contact us today and we will help you make an informed decision regarding the restoration most appropriate.

Measures to Take When Your Crown Falls Out

November 7, 2019 by Claire Leave a Comment

Temporary dental crowns aren’t designed to last long since they are only needed for a week or two. Since temporary crowns aren’t made from very strong materials, it is possible for them to fall out prematurely. If your temporary crown ever pops out, our team at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights recommends the following.

Remove The Temporary Crown Completely

You risk swallowing the crown or aspirating it into your lungs if it is partially dislodged and you keep it in your mouth while you eat or speak. The first step that Dr. Christopher Green, an emergency dentist in Parker, CO, recommends is that you take out the temporary crown from your mouth. Removing it also prevents the germs that are on that crown from spreading to any damaged tissues at the site of the dislodged temporary crown.

Rinse Your Mouth

It is possible that the detached temporary crown may have left shards in your mouth. For this reason, the experts at Dental One Care recommend that you rinse your mouth so that you remove those shards if they are present.

Examine Your Tooth

If you can, look at the tooth from which the temporary crown has popped. See if you can locate any areas of the tooth that are damaged. If you can’t inspect it visually, you can gently run your tongue over the surface of the tooth. If there are jagged edges, make a mental note of the location of those sharp or jagged edges. This information will be vital in the next step that your Sterling Heights dentists recommend that you take.

Contact Your Sterling Heights Dentist

After examining your tooth, contact us immediately and explain your dental emergency to your Sterling Heights dentist. If you noticed jagged edges when you examined your tooth, let the dentist know. Dr. Fardi Farhat will get you in ASAP so he can fix the temporary crown before further damage occurs.

Clean the Dental Crown

After talking to an emergency dentist, proceed to the step of cleaning the popped temporary crown. Use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the crown. While at it, you should also ensure that you clean the place in your mouth from where the temporary crown popped out of.

While You Wait to See Dr. Farhat

Depending on the specific instructions that you were given when you called Dental One Care, you may need to reattach the temporary crown. This step is necessary because the preparations done on your tooth to get it ready for the permanent crown need to be protected from being compromised. Additionally, the tooth is weaker because of the enamel that was removed, so having the temporary crown in place shields that tooth from damage. To put it back, buy over-the-counter dental cream and first place the crown on the tooth to confirm that you have got the position of the crown right. You can then follow the usage instructions provided on the package of the dental cream to reattach the crown.

Gently bite down on the crown to be sure that you placed it back correctly. If it feels strange or uncomfortable, then you may have positioned it incorrectly.

Why Do Temporary Crowns Fall Out?

Sterling Heights dentists explain that temporary crowns can fall out for a variety of reasons that are connected to either the underlying tooth or the temporary crown itself. The retention of the temporary crown largely depends on the integrity of the tooth structure surrounding the crown. Dr. Fardi Farhat specifically singles out heavy teeth grinding, trauma and tooth decay as the most common reasons why temporary and permanent crowns will pop out.

If none of those factors are found responsible for the falling out of your temporary crown, then the adhesive used to attach that crown could have failed and left the temporary crown loose.

When you call Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Farhat, he will assess the popped out temporary crown and determine if it can be repaired and reattached or a replacement one needs to be made. Follow all the temporary crown care instructions that our experts give you and you will have no problem until it is time to get the permanent crown.

How to Choose a Dental Crown

August 19, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

If you have just undergone a root canal, or your tooth was extensively damaged due to physical trauma, or you lost a tooth and want to replace it with an implant-supported restoration, your Sterling Heights dentist may recommend that you have a crown placed. One of the major decisions that you will have to make subsequent to deciding to get a crown is choosing the material from which that crown can be fabricated. The experts at Dental One Care recommend that you read this blog to the end so that you can have the information you need to make the best choice when faced with that question.

Gold Crowns

In the past, gold was the most common material from which dental crowns were made. Today, this material is no longer as popular because of the prohibitive cost of gold. For example, an ounce of gold can cost upwards of $1,300! Another reason why gold crowns aren’t as common is that these crowns aren’t esthetically pleasing since they don’t resemble natural teeth.

However, gold is an excellent choice if the crown will be placed in a part of the mouth that isn’t visible when you smile, such as at the back of your mouth. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI explains that gold is a very good choice for a crown because it has a long track record of not causing any reactions or sensitivities when it is placed in the mouth.

Additionally, the Sterling Heights dentist says gold crowns are very strong and will easily take in stride all the bite forces exerted upon them while you chew. This is the primary reason why these crowns have been known to last for 40 or more years.

Another reason why you should consider gold crowns is that preparing your tooth for this type of crown doesn’t involve removing a lot of enamel from the tooth. This minimal preparation is important because you will be less likely to develop sensitivity to temperature extremes or pressure. If you can afford the cost, a gold crown would, therefore, be the best option for you.

Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns

If a pure gold crown is out of reach for you, porcelain fused to metal crown can be a good way to enjoy the strength of gold without incurring the high cost of pure gold crowns. For PFM crowns, the substructure or core is made from gold or any other precious or semi-precious metal. These include platinum and palladium. The exterior or visible part of this crown is made from porcelain.

Dr. Fardi Farhat reveals that PFM crowns usually have a metal rim that is visible at the bottom of the crown. This rim can eventually show through when your gums recede, and this can detract from the visual appeal of the crown.

In terms of durability, PFM crowns can last between 7 and 12 years, so you can see how superior gold crowns are on durability alone.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Sterling Heights dentists may recommend a stainless steel crown, but these tend to be temporary. This explains why children whose milk teeth have decayed extensively or those that are too weak to support a filling are treated with stainless steel crowns.

This crown covers the entire tooth, just as crowns typically do. As the milk or baby tooth grows, the stainless steel crown grows with it and will come off once that baby tooth makes way for the permanent tooth.

Note that stainless steel crowns aren’t aesthetically appealing, but you can contact Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI and talk to Dr. Fardi Farhat about other options that are more esthetic for your kid.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are also referred to as all-ceramic dental crowns. These crowns are the most common these days because they look like natural teeth and a casual observer cannot know that you have a crown in your mouth.

Porcelain crowns are also suitable for teeth in any part of your mouth, so there are no limitations on where they can be placed. They are popular because they don’t cause users to develop tooth sensitivity as is the case when you have crowns made from metal. Porcelain also doesn’t trigger any sensitivities, so they are good for people who have a history of reacting to metal crowns.

Types of Porcelain Crowns

When you visit Dental One Care for porcelain crowns, Dr. Fardi Farhat will assess you and select from one of two types of these crowns. The first is the e.Max porcelain crown. This crown can be made and placed on the same day when you visit, and it forms a very strong bond with your tooth.

The second type of porcelain crown is one made from Zirconia. This is the strongest type of porcelain used to make dental crowns and advancements in dental technology have made it possible to make this crown virtually identical to natural teeth. However, Zirconia crowns don’t bond as strongly with the tooth as is the case with e.Max porcelain crowns.

What You Need to Know About Porcelain Crowns

There are a few downsides that you need to know about all types of porcelain dental crowns. First, these crowns will crack or break more easily when compared to other types of crowns. Secondly, these crowns can accelerate the rate at which the opposing teeth wear out due to the contact between the porcelain and the natural teeth. Furthermore, preparing a tooth for a porcelain crown requires the removal of a significant amount of enamel, unlike what happens for gold crowns, for example.

In terms of durability, porcelain crowns last anywhere between 5 and 10 years. As already mentioned, the care you provide for these crowns will protect them from fracturing or cracking, and this will be beneficial to their durability.

Note that because people are different, a dental crown material that is appropriate for one person may not be advisable for another person. For this reason, it is better for you to visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can examine you, take your medical history and then recommend the most appropriate dental crown material for your needs.

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

April 18, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

You may be wondering why some people have dental crowns. Dental One Care is here to give you all the information that you need in order to understand why or when you should ask your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI for these dental restorations. Crowns are some form of dental “cap” that is placed on a tooth for different reasons explained below.

Reasons Why Dental Crowns Are Placed

Cosmetic Purposes of Dental Crowns

Covering Crooked Teeth: A dental crown may be placed on one of your teeth in order to cover that unsightly, crooked tooth at the front of your mouth.
Masking Stained Teeth: Dr. Farhat says that you can also have a dental crown placed if your tooth is so badly stained that no form of teeth whitening treatment can restore its brightness.

Functional Purposes of Dental Crowns

Supporting Weakened Teeth: Your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI may recommend crowns in order to support the teeth that have been weakened for different reasons, such as severe decay or cracks resulting from a previous accident. Root canal therapy also weakens teeth, so the Sterling Heights dentist may place a temporary crown on the affected tooth until it is stronger.
Single Tooth Restorations: Crowns are also ideal for single tooth restorations, i.e. when you lose a tooth and replace its root with an implant. In this case, the crown will form the upper part of the dental restoration.

Heavily Filled Teeth: Teeth that have decayed seriously may be filled heavily in order to restore functionality to them. In this case, your teeth can be covered with a crown in order to give them structural strength after the heavy filling.

Are All Dental Crowns Permanent?

In terms of lifespan, dental crowns can be divided into temporary and permanent crowns as explained below.

Temporary Crowns: These crowns aren’t intended to stay on your teeth for long. For example, the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI may place a temporary crown on your tooth while you wait for the permanent one to be made by a dental lab. These temporary crowns are usually made from aluminum, steel or composites. The crowns can be made at Dental One Care or they may be prefabricated and kept at the dental office for any patient who needs them.
Permanent Crowns: Permanent crowns are designed to last for several years once they are installed. These crowns are usually made in a dental lab.

The Pros and Cons of Different Dental Crown Materials

We asked our friend, Dr. Taher Dhoon, a dentist in Greeley, CO about the pros and cons of different dental crown materials. Dr. Dhoon says temporary crowns are generally made from less expensive materials while permanent crowns are usually made from stronger materials that tend to be more expensive. He says to keep in mind that each material has its own benefits and potential drawbacks as the discussion below shows.

The Pros and Cons of Metallic Dental Crowns

The Advantages: First, metallic crowns are thin, so less enamel will be removed from your natural tooth during the preparation stage prior to placing the crown. Secondly, metallic crowns are durable and that is why they are the materials of choice when permanent crowns are being fabricated. Thirdly, Dr. Farhat reveals that metallic crowns are very strong which makes them suitable for placing on teeth that undergo a lot of stress while you chew. Examples of metals used to make crowns include gold alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys.
The Downsides: Sterling Heights dentists explain that metallic crowns aren’t suitable for all patients due to the allergic reactions that they may trigger some individuals. Secondly, metallic crowns have a distinctive color that makes the crown to be conspicuous if placed on a front tooth.

The Pros and Cons of Resin Dental Crowns

The Advantages: Crowns fabricated from resins are affordable when compared to those made from alternative materials. Secondly, resin dental crowns are easy to make, so most dentists can fabricate them in their offices while a client is still in the dental chair.
The Downsides: Resin crowns wear out quickly, so they aren’t a good option when you want permanent crowns. Additionally, resin crowns can easily crack or fracture, so extreme care needs to be taken to safeguard them.

The Pros and Cons of Purely Ceramic Dental Crowns

Purely ceramic crowns are made from either porcelain or ceramic without being mixed with any other material.

The Advantages: These crowns are highly sought after because they are indistinguishable from natural teeth in appearance. Secondly, ceramic crowns are so stable that it is nearly impossible to develop an allergic reaction to them.
The Drawbacks: Experts at Dental One Care caution that people should seek professional advice before opting for ceramic crowns since this material isn’t very strong. Additionally, the ceramic crowns have a tendency to cause the corresponding teeth in the other jaw to wear out quickly. This doesn’t happen when you have resin or metallic crowns.

The Pros and Cons of Crowns Made from a Combination of Metal and Porcelain

It is also possible for you to get crowns made from porcelain that has been fused to metal.

The Advantages: You get the best of both worlds when you opt for crowns made from porcelain fused to metal. For example, you get the strength of metal as well as the visual appeal of porcelain crowns.
The Drawbacks: Sometimes, the porcelain outer layer of the crowns may chip or crack. Also, as your gums recede, the metallic section of the crown may show through.

Steps Taken to Place Your Dental Crowns

Tooth Preparation: This first step entails cleaning your tooth thoroughly. Some enamel may also be removed from the tooth’s surface in order to create space for the crown.
Taking Tooth Impressions: Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI will take impressions of the tooth so that a custom crown can be made. You may be given a temporary crown you need more than one visit or if the permanent crown is going to be made by an off-site lab.
Crown Installation: This may be during the same visit or during your second visit at Dental One Care. In this phase, Dr. Farhat places and fuses the crown on the tooth after confirming that the appearance and fit.

Do you think that dental crowns can be beneficial to your dental health or esthetics? Contact Dental One Care today for an appointment so that one of our experts can discuss your needs and recommend the best course of action.

What You Should Know About Same Day Crowns

June 26, 2018 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

Quick. Convenient. Economical. These are the descriptions you’ll want to hear from your Sterling Heights Dentist when discussing dental treatment plans. With same-day crowns, you may obtain all three.

Here’s what you should know about same-day crowns.

Dental Crown Technology

CEREC technology facilitates same-day crown dentistry. Chair side economical restoration of esthetic ceramics (CEREC) reproduces a 3D image of your dental anatomy through digital impressions. The procedure begins when your dentist takes out the decayed or damaged tooth or teeth. What follows is the preparation for the crown placement by reshaping the tooth enamel.

Unlike in a traditional crown procedure, which uses oral impressions, CEREC uses a digital infrared camera to get an optical impression of the tooth you need to replace. There is no need for traditional impression materials and trays. If you have a gag reflex, the same-day crown will eliminate the discomfort of a traditional crown.

The digital dentistry technology also takes out the need for several appointments to complete your treatment. The traditional crown typically requires multiple visits to the dentist because the clinic has to send out your oral impressions to a lab for fabrication. You then have to return to get fitted for the crown, and if the impression was not accurate or the lab made a mistake, you’ll have to come back.

With CEREC, your dentist can finish the treatment in a single appointment, hence, same-day crowns.

A Better Way

But convenience, comfort, and economical are not the only descriptions you can use for same-day crowns. The procedure also ensures accuracy, which means the perfect color match and form. You will not have to worry about your crowns appearing out-of-place with your natural teeth.

Your CEREC same-day crowns not only blend well, but they will also last you a long time. CEREC enables metal-free restoration; instead of the typical porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, you get an all-porcelain crown. The material not only allows for light transmission, creating a life-like effect, but it’s also improved in strength.

Since you don’t have to undergo multiple procedures with same-day crowns, you also reduce the risk for further anesthesia; your dental restoration through CEREC may call for only a local anesthetic in preparing the tooth.

Final Dental Crown Restoration

Dental crowns are necessary when you suffer from tooth decay, a chipped or damaged tooth, or a weak tooth. Your dentist may also recommend crowns as a cosmetic treatment. But whatever your case may be, this dental restoration procedure, much like every dental procedure, will preserve your teeth’s natural structure. This, in turn, secures the form and function of your teeth, safeguarding your oral health.

With same-day crowns, your dental health need not wait several days. The technology’s quick, convenient, and economical process will make sure of that outcome.

Dental Implants: A Summary of Its Pros and Cons

April 18, 2017 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

In the old days, painful teeth, diseased and weak teeth would definitely mean lost teeth. But advances in dentistry have resulted in significant improvements in dental treatments and solutions. Dental implants are an example of how dental technology offers better options for many patients today.

The need for urgent tooth restoration

Teeth restoration is done not just to achieve a nice aesthetic result; it is vital for oral health as well. Once you lose a tooth, it is advisable to replace it as soon as possible because the alveolar bone in your jaw also begins to disintegrate. The neighboring teeth move into the gap, forcing the whole bite out of line. Thus, having missing teeth for quite a long time can result in certain dental issues like “bad bite” or malocclusion, which may lead to inefficient chewing.

Why opt for dental implants?

A dental implant is the best remedy for replacing missing teeth. Implants generally solve the downsides of bridges and dentures.

It protects your teeth and promotes bone preservation.

With a dental implant, the remaining teeth are protected from damage because it does not rely on neighboring teeth for support. Dental implants also replace the missing tooth as well as its root, therefore preventing bone loss.

It acts like a real tooth and is easy to maintain.

Whether for chewing or for speaking, implants offer better functionality. Implants look and function like your original teeth. And this means you can manage them the same way you do with your natural teeth.

It is safe and durable.

Unlike bridges and dentures that need replacing every 7 to 10 years, implants can last a lifetime. Implants are also reliable among older adults.

When not to choose dental implants

Dental implants are not for everybody. Smokers and those with chronic conditions like diabetes are usually advised to get an implant because they have lower success rates.

Implants also come with a price tag and insurance does not usually cover such procedure.

Moreover, the procedure can be quite complex as it involves multiple steps. In some situations, it might also need additional dental treatments. Busy patients will need to make major adjustments to their schedules to accommodate the multiple visits and recovery time.

Final thoughts

A reliable dentist in Sterling Heights will opt to preserve your teeth as much as possible. If you’re concerned about missing teeth and looking for a smart way to replace them, ask about the right options for you today!

What Can You Do About Missing Teeth?

October 26, 2016 by Lauren Edvalson Leave a Comment

Replacing Missing Teeth | Options and their benefits

Did you have an accident that led to the loss of one tooth, or more? Did you have a cavity that you failed to address until the only remaining course of action was an extraction? If you no longer have your full set of permanent teeth, do not be disheartened. It may be some comfort for you to know that you are in good company. As a matter of fact, the American Dental Association reports that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has at least three decayed or missing teeth.

What can you do about missing teeth?

Whether you lost them through extraction or an accident, you can rest assured that they can be replaced. In fact, your replacement teeth may even enhance your looks and allow you to improve your speaking and chewing.

What are your options when it comes to tooth replacement? The following are the ones that dental health care professionals usually recommend:

Bridges

As the name suggests, this option serves to bridge the gap left by your missing tooth or teeth. A bridge is often attached to the adjacent teeth for support.

Dentures

If you have more than a few missing teeth, then your dentist is likely to recommend dentures. These are removable appliances that are composed of numerous artificial teeth. If you have a few remaining teeth, you can get overdentures that will fit over them. If all your teeth are gone, then full dentures will take the place of your natural teeth. Dentures take some getting used to, but once you’ve broken them in, they should feel natural and comfortable.

Dental Implants

These are generally considered the most efficient solution for tooth replacement. They are surgically implanted, so completing their installation involves several stages and may take a few months. Despite the inconvenient time frame, many choose to take this route since dental implants are the closest you can get to having your own teeth back. When cared for properly, they can last decades.

What can you do about missing teeth besides have them replaced, right? At the end of the day, whichever of these options you end up choosing, you won’t have to live with missing teeth anymore. For guidance on which one suits your situation best, consult your Sterling Heights dentist. Pretty soon, you will be speaking, eating and smiling with a full set of teeth again.

How a Dental Implant Can Help Restore Your Oral Health

March 17, 2016 by Lauren Edvalson Leave a Comment

Using a Dental Implant With a Crown to Help Restore Oral Health

As a small child, you discovered soon enough that the teeth you had weren’t permanent yet. You knew this because you had to go through a few years of suddenly discovering that a tooth has come loose from your gums, as well as paying visits to the family dentist to have problematic teeth extracted. Those years proved to be a challenge since losing a tooth, as many know quite well, can come with a relative amount of pain and discomfort.

The bright side in it all was that you weren’t too worried about losing those baby teeth because you were told that they would be replaced with new teeth — and those would be your permanent ones.

When you became an adult, however, losing a tooth became a more serious matter. It wasn’t going to grow back anymore, so the loss will reasonably affect the way you chew food or the way you look — especially if the lost tooth is in a highly visible position.

Your local Sterling Heights dentist will now have to resort to procedures that can help you regain what was lost and restore your oral health. When you are missing one tooth, or perhaps even more, one of the solutions that your dentist can recommend is to get dental implants.

What is a dental implant?

An implant is a dental device that is surgically placed in an opening that the dentist will create on your jawbone. Not everyone is eligible for this procedure because sufficient bone is necessary for it to be successful.

If there isn’t enough bone on your jaw to effectively hold an implant, your dentist can talk to you about the available options for building bone. He can, for example, use bone grafting, which is taking bone from your mouth, hip or chin and adding it to your jaw. There’s also the option of using synthetic material, such as calcium phosphate.

Once you have the necessary bone for the procedure, the process of getting the dental implants will then commence. Depending on your specific condition, this may include the initial surgery (for the placement of the implant), a second surgery (for the placement of a healing collar and/or a temporary crown), and the placement of the permanent crown.

The implant, once properly integrated to your jawbone (this fusion is called osseo-integration), then acts as the “root” for the crown, which looks like a natural tooth and serves as the replacement for the tooth you lost. Not only will the placement of a dental implant with a crown help restore the natural function of your teeth, gums and mouth, but it will also help improve or enhance your smile because it will appear like you have all your natural teeth.