What Are Crowns?
Dentist Auburn Hills
Crowns are custom-made dental restorations designed to encase and protect a tooth that has been significantly damaged or weakened. These restorations cover the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, effectively restoring both its strength and appearance. Crowns are commonly used to address issues such as cracked, decayed, or discolored teeth. At Auburn Hills Dental, Dr. Joseph Sheena utilizes high-quality materials, such as durable porcelain, to craft crowns that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. This ensures that the crowns not only provide robust protection but also maintain a natural look. Crowns are often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as root canal therapy, dental implants, or as part of a dental bridge, to achieve optimal results and enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your smile.
Benefits of Crowns
Dentist Auburn Hills
Enhanced Protection
Crowns offer significant protection for teeth that are vulnerable due to damage or decay. By covering the entire tooth, crowns prevent further fractures and help reinforce the structural integrity of the tooth, ensuring it remains functional and resilient against everyday pressures.
Aesthetic Improvement
Made from high-quality materials like porcelain, crowns are designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. They provide a natural-looking restoration that enhances your overall smile, helping you feel more confident about the appearance of your teeth.
Long-Term Durability
Crowns are known for their longevity and strength. With proper care and maintenance, crowns can last many years, continuing to provide reliable support and maintaining their appearance. This durability makes them a dependable option for restoring damaged teeth and ensuring long-term dental health.
Why Choose Auburn Hills Dental?
Dentist Auburn Hills
Dr. Joseph Sheena is a highly skilled professional with extensive expertise in placing dental crowns, offering both technical precision and an eye for aesthetics. His meticulous approach ensures that each crown is custom-crafted to fit comfortably, not only matching the natural color of your teeth but also blending seamlessly with the overall structure of your smile. Dr. Sheena takes the time to thoroughly assess each patient’s unique dental needs, ensuring that the restoration provides optimal function, durability, and appearance. By utilizing the latest techniques and high-quality materials, Dr. Sheena ensures that your crowns will not only restore the health of your teeth but also blend seamlessly with your natural smile. His commitment to exceptional patient care and satisfaction means he consistently achieves results that surpass expectations, providing you with enduring comfort and functionality.
Crown Benefits
Strength, Function, and Appearance Restoration
Dental Crown Success Rates and Patient Outcomes
Crown Structural Integrity
95
Tooth Protection
99
Chewing Function Restoration
96
Aesthetic Improvement
97
Bite Stability
98
Patient Satisfaction
96
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| Crown Treatment Factor | Success Rate | Patient Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Structural Integrity | 95% remain functional and intact at 10 years | Durable restoration serving patient reliably for years |
| Tooth Protection | 99% prevent tooth fracture in compromised teeth | Crowns protect weakened teeth from breaking |
| Chewing Function Restoration | 96% restore 95% of natural chewing force | Patients resume normal eating habits without restrictions |
| Aesthetic Improvement | 97% improve tooth appearance and smile | Natural-looking crowns match surrounding teeth |
| Bite Stability | 98% achieve proper bite alignment and comfort | Crowns correct bite problems and prevent jaw joint stress |
| Patient Satisfaction | 96% report high satisfaction with crown appearance and function | Crowns successfully address both function and aesthetics |
Sources: Journal of Prosthodontics | American Dental Association (ADA) | Journal of Dental Research | International Journal of Prosthodontics | Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
Key Findings About Crowns in Auburn Hills
Dental Crowns Have a 95% Success Rate and Last 10 to 15 Years or Longer
The Journal of Prosthodontics reports that properly placed crowns maintain their function and integrity for 10 to 15 years or longer. This durability makes crowns one of the most reliable restorations available. With proper care and maintenance, crowns last decades, making them an excellent long-term investment.
Crowns Restore Function and Extend Tooth Life by 10 to 15 Years
Teeth weakened by large fillings, cracks, or root canal treatment would likely fracture and require extraction within several years without crown protection. Crowns stabilize these weakened teeth and extend their functional lifespan by 10 to 15 years or more. Protecting threatened teeth with crowns avoids extraction and the need for costly replacement solutions.
Tooth Crowned After Root Canal Has 90% Likelihood of Long-Term Success
Root-treated teeth lose moisture and become brittle without a crown. The Journal of Endodontics reports that root-treated teeth crowned immediately have a 90% success rate over 10 years compared to only 60% success for uncovered root-treated teeth. Crowning root-treated teeth is essential for long-term tooth preservation.
Dental Crowns Prevent Remaining Teeth From Shifting and Creating Bite Problems
Missing teeth cause adjacent teeth to shift into empty spaces, creating misalignment and bite problems. When a natural tooth is lost and not replaced, extraction often becomes necessary for remaining shifted teeth. Crowns that replace extracted teeth with implants prevent this cascade of problems and preserve remaining teeth.
Crowns Restore Chewing Function to 95% of Natural Tooth Capacity
Unlike dentures or bridges that function at 50 to 60% of natural capacity, crowns provide excellent function approaching that of natural teeth. Patients with crowns can chew almost any food without limitation. This restored function significantly improves quality of life and allows patients to maintain normal diet.
Modern Ceramic Crowns Match Natural Teeth in Color and Light Reflection
Ceramic and porcelain materials used in modern crowns reflect light identically to natural teeth, creating crowns that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Metal-based crowns visible under the crown margin are now largely avoided in favor of tooth-colored materials. Auburn Hills Dental uses only tooth-colored materials for maximum aesthetics.
What Our Patients Have to Say About Crowns
Dentist Auburn Hills
“Went to see Dr. Sheena for a new patient visit. It was nice to find a dental office where the dentist and the staff spend the time to talk to me to answer all my questions. I felt like I finally received attention at a healthcare office where nowadays most offices I visit make me feel like a number. I really appreciate your care!” – Isaac Abbo
Questions Auburn Hills Dental Patients Ask About Crowns
How long does the crown process take, and how many appointments are needed?
The crown process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from initial preparation to final placement. The first appointment involves tooth preparation and temporary crown placement, taking 1 to 2 hours. The second appointment involves temporary crown removal and permanent crown placement, taking 45 minutes to 1 hour. The laboratory typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to fabricate the permanent crown.
Do I need a crown if I have a large filling?
Large fillings, particularly on back teeth, weaken the tooth structure. Teeth with fillings larger than 30% of the tooth surface benefit from crown protection. Crowns prevent fracture and extend the functional life of weakened teeth. Dr. Joseph Sheena evaluates large fillings and recommends crowns when appropriate to preserve the tooth.
Will my crown look like a natural tooth, or will it be obviously artificial?
Modern ceramic and porcelain crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth when properly fabricated and placed. The crown is custom-shaped to match the tooth’s natural form and shade-matched to blend with surrounding teeth. Only the patient and dentist typically know a crown is present. Aesthetic crowns are one of the most satisfying restorations.
How long do dental crowns last, and will I need to replace it?
Crowns typically last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care. Some crowns last 20 to 30 years. Longevity depends on the tooth’s location, chewing habits, and care quality. Eventually crowns may need replacement due to wear or decay of the tooth underneath. Auburn Hills Dental provides replacement when necessary.
Can I get a crown on a tooth that has had a root canal?
Yes, teeth that have had root canal treatment should always be crowned if they will be used for chewing. Root-treated teeth lose moisture and become brittle without crown protection. The Journal of Endodontics reports that crowned root-treated teeth have a 90% success rate compared to 60% for uncovered teeth. Crowning is highly recommended.
“Dental crowns are the foundation of restorative dentistry. When a tooth is weakened or damaged, a well-made crown can extend its functional life by 10 to 15 years or more. I take crown preparation seriously because precision in tooth preparation directly impacts the fit and longevity of the crown. I work closely with laboratory technicians to ensure each crown is fabricated to specifications and fits the prepared tooth perfectly. The investment in proper crown placement pays dividends in superior long-term results and patient satisfaction.”
— Dr. Joseph Sheena, DDS
