Tooth enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body. It protects the underlying tooth structures, such as the tooth’s nerve. However, teeth remain vulnerable to damage in several ways, such as grinding your teeth at night or drinking acidic beverages. Fortunately, cosmetic dental procedures can effectively protect your smile and enable you to eat your regular diet after damaging one or more teeth.
To learn more about how a porcelain crown can help brighten your smile and improve your oral health, schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry.
What Is A Porcelain Crown?
Porcelain crowns, a common cosmetic dental procedure, can restore the function and appearance of a damaged tooth. Dental fillings, veneers, and dental bonding can restore teeth with minimal damage. However, some teeth require coverage of the entire top portion of the tooth to prevent further damage of the tooth. People often call crowns “caps” because they fit like a hat over a tooth to restore its size, shape, and appearance. Your dentist prepares the remaining natural tooth structure and takes an impression that a dental laboratory uses to make your crown. Then, the crown permanently bonds to the tooth with dental cement.
Why Would I Need A Porcelain Crown?
You may need a porcelain crown for several reasons, including to:
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Restore a tooth damaged by severe tooth decay.
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Protect a cracked tooth from further damage.
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Return the natural appearance of missing tooth structure.
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Restore a dental implant.
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Cover a tooth with a root canal treatment.
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Whiten a severely discolored tooth.
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Replace the tooth structure of a severely worn tooth.
Can Porcelain Crowns Be Whitened?
The ingredients in teeth whitening products produce no effect when applied to cosmetic dental materials such as bonding and porcelain. Fortunately, we can closely match the porcelain used to make your crown with the color of your natural teeth. For this reason, you need to remember to:
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Have teeth whitening procedures completed before receiving any porcelain crowns.
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Prevent staining of your natural teeth since porcelain resists stains and will remain white.
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Avoid foods and drinks that easily discolor your natural teeth.
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Maintain excellent oral hygiene at home and have regular dental exams and professional teeth cleanings.
Foods And Drinks That Can Stain Porcelain Crowns
Although porcelain crowns resist stains more easily than tooth enamel, they can discolor over time. Most importantly, preventing discoloration of your natural teeth helps ensure that the whiteness of your porcelain crown matches the surrounding teeth. To keep your teeth and crowns white, avoid these top tooth-staining foods:
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Coffee
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Sports drinks
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Cola beverages
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Berries such as cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
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Beets
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Tea
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Fruit juices
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Soy sauce
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Tomato-based sauces
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Chocolate
How To Keep Your Porcelain Crowns White
You can enjoy the natural appearance of porcelain crowns for many years by following these steps:
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Brush your teeth twice daily.
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Floss daily.
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Brush, or rinse with water as soon as possible after consuming foods or beverages that stain easily.
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Use non-abrasive toothpaste.
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Don’t smoke.
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Have regular oral examinations and professional teeth cleanings.
Schedule Appointment
Our goal at Trident General Dentistry is to help you have a healthy and bright smile. One of our common cosmetic dental procedures is the placement of porcelain crowns. Contact us online for an oral examination and cosmetic consultation to learn more about this and other cosmetic procedures.