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Dental crowns in Alpharetta, GA restore your oral health and smile
The goal of the Atlanta Center for Dental Health is to keep your teeth and gums looking and feeling great. So, you can smile confidently, eat comfortably and without pain, and speak clearly. Even with routine visits to Dr. Bradley Hepler and consistent oral hygiene at home, damage can arise that affects the appearance and health of your teeth. Dental crowns in Alpharetta, GA can be customized in such a way that they address the various situations in which a tooth can lose its attractive appearance and healthy function.
Dr. Hepler designs a new tooth structure from safe dental ceramic that best mimics natural teeth. The porcelain crown is made in a lab and later placed by the doctor over the damaged tooth. The tooth is prepared to restore its health before the crown is fitted over it. That way, the natural, underlying tooth is healthy and doesn’t make the treated tooth vulnerable to further decay and damage. Below, the Atlanta Center for Dental Health explains some of the different reasons your tooth may need a lab-made crown.
A worn restoration or very large filling
Fillings are a straightforward and comparatively conservative way to fill in a decayed area of the tooth, however, if there is too much filling material (making the filling too large), it can put the tooth at risk of breaking. Enough structure is needed to retain the tooth’s integrity. A crown may be a more appropriate way to ensure the long-term durability of your tooth. Since the crown can be shaped to address your exact needs for treatment and specifications, Dr. Hepler may recommend a partial crown or onlay as a more conservative alternative to the full-coverage crown. The onlay only covers the portions of the tooth that are damaged; it isn’t fitted over the entire prepared tooth structure like a full crown.
If a dental restoration, including a filling, is old or worn, it may need to be replaced with a crown. Telltale signs that your treated tooth may require a restorative replacement include:
- Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
- Receding gum tissue that pulls back from the tooth
- Changes in your bite, how your upper and lower teeth fit together
- Chips, cracking
- Discomfort
Some of the above symptoms are also indicative of tooth decay. Worn restorations allow bacteria to seep into the natural tooth. The dental material itself isn’t susceptible to decay; the living tissue underneath is still decay prone. Dr. Hepler can discuss ways you can help sustain the life of your crown. For instance, habits such as chewing ice or fingernails, or clenching your teeth put excessive pressure on restorations – aging and wearing them down before their time.
Tooth decay
The National Institutes of Health reports that 92 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 have had cavities. Symptoms vary significantly, based on the extent of the decay as well as the location of the cavity. If you notice visible pits, dark discoloration on the tooth’s surface, and experience a toothache (especially when biting down or drinking or eating sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks), you may have decay that requires treatment with a crown. Depending on the extent of the decay, as well as how weak the tooth is, a full crown may be custom-fitted over the entire tooth. Should the decay reach the innermost part of your tooth, a crown is placed only after root canal therapy to remove diseased tissues and resolve the infection.
Fractured teeth
Any time there isn’t enough structure to hold the natural tooth together, a crown may be made and fitted to rebuild the broken parts of the tooth. Depending on the extent of the break (and where it was fractured), a filling may suffice, or root canal therapy and a crown may be the only way to save the natural tooth. Crowns in these cases are a less invasive, quicker, and more affordable alternative to tooth-replacement methods such as dental implants or bridges.
A crown may be necessary to:
- Complete a dental bridge, as natural teeth on either side of the replacement tooth are crowned to provide support to the artificial tooth
- Cover the dental implant that is placed in the jawbone (and provides support to the crown)
- Correct cosmetic issues that can’t be resolved adequately with bleaching or whitening methods, veneers, or other less invasive techniques
Call (866) 687-1992 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Hepler at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health in Alpharetta. He won’t know what treatment is best for you until he examines your teeth and speaks with you.
Dr. Bradley R. Hepler
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Dr. Bradley R. Hepler, founder of the Atlanta Center for Dental Health, is a distinguished dentist with over 20 years of experience. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and completed advanced training in comprehensive dentistry in San Diego, obtaining certification in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. A dedicated member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Hepler is also a founding member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and a certified Fastbraces and Invisalign provider. His commitment to ongoing education ensures top-notch care for his patients.
