Dental Crowns Specialist

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are custom-manufactured oral restorations that repair a severely damaged or decaying tooth. They can be applied to any teeth but are very common on molars, which are at the back of your mouth. Crowns look like your natural tooth enamel. Once bonded in place, they restore your tooth to its near-original size and appearance, making it easier to bite and chew.

What are veneers?

Veneers are incredibly thin pieces of porcelain your dentist bonds to the teeth at the front of your mouth. They cover up minor oral imperfections like stained, pointy, or unusually shaped teeth and make your smile appear more symmetrical. It’s possible to get one veneer, but the providers at North Hawaii Dental LLC typically recommend a series of between six and eight.

When are dental crowns needed?

North Hawaii Dental LLC uses dental crowns to:

• Cover and support teeth with large fillings
• Cover dental implants
• Complete root canal therapy
• Hold dental bridges in place
• Make cosmetic modifications

You might also benefit from a dental crown if you break or damage a tooth while playing sports or after biting down on a hard object, like ice cubes.

What does getting dental crowns or veneers involve?

At North Hawaii Dental LLC, getting a dental crown or veneer takes two appointments.

First appointment

To prepare the tooth for a dental crown, your dentist administers a local anesthetic and removes a layer of enamel from the top and sides. Next, your provider takes impressions of your tooth and sends them to a dental laboratory. The lab technicians use your impressions to design and manufacture a custom dental crown.

To prepare your teeth for veneers, your provider numbs your mouth and removes a thin layer of enamel (about one millimeter thick) from each tooth. Next, they take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory. The techs at the lab use your impressions to manufacture the veneers.

Second appointment

A week or two later, when your crown or veneer is ready, you return to North Hawaii Dental LLC. Your provider administers a local anesthetic, lines up the crown or veneer with your tooth, and bonds it in place. Then, they polish your new restoration, remove any excess material, and provide aftercare instructions.

How long do dental crowns or veneers last?

Dental crowns and veneers typically last 12-15 years, but it’s possible to extend their lifespan by practicing good oral hygiene. North Hawaii Dental LLC recommends brushing and flossing daily and visiting the office at least twice a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.

To protect your veneers or crown from damage, wear a mouthguard when playing sports and avoid bad habits like biting your nails, opening packaging with your teeth, or chewing on hard objects like popcorn kernels.

To learn more about dental crowns or veneers, make an appointment at North Hawaii Dental LLC by calling the office or using the online booking tool today.