Cost Of Cosmetic Dentistry - In Your Local San Jose, CA Area

Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, The Dental Crown And The Gold Crown

In restorative dentistry a dental crown, or caps for teeth, look and function just like natural teeth. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend a dental crown if your tooth has enough decay that it cannot hold a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken and in danger of cracking down into the root if left unattended. A dental crown covers your tooth completely. It fits snugly at the gum and protects what remains of the natural tooth.

Why Have A Dental Crown?

The dental crown serves two important functions. First, it restores the appearance of your teeth and your face. If your tooth is severely decayed or cracked, your cosmetic dentist will need to restore it prior to preparing a cap. Teeth also support the muscles in our faces, so anything less than a full tooth may affect the way you smile.

Second, a dental crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.

What Is a Dental Crown Made of?

A dental crown is most often made of gold or porcelain. A dental crown also can be made of stainless steel, but those are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear.

A porcelain dental crown is usually built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. Your dentist will choose a porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth. A porcelain dental crown is usually so carefully matched in color, it cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain dental crowns for the cosmetic appearance and the confidence it give them.

New materials are now available in cosmetic dentistry that allow your cosmetic dentist to use an "all-ceramic" dental crown in some cases. They have a beautiful life-like appearance and short-term studies support their success, with long-term trials ongoing.

A dental crown can be made of all gold. Some people prefer not to use a gold crown because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance. At the same time, if the gold crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. Your cosmetic dentist will discuss the types of materials available if a gold crown is recommended.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Still the Rule!

Once your dental crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed well and that you floss below the gum line. While the dental crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the dental crown from bacterial growth and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!

Your Gold Crown is not just royal jewelry for your mouth!

by Danine M. Fresch, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Today's Restorative Dentistry

There's a bright new trend in cosmetic dental offices these days: more people are scheduling appointments because they want to, not because they have to.

Restorative dentistry just isn't the same anymore.

In the past 15 years we've seen the development of materials and procedures we could only dream about before. And if you know someone who hasn't been to the dentist in a while, tell them they'll be pleasantly surprised by what they find.

Pain control

Dental medicine has come a long way from the days when whiskey was the anesthetic of choice. Today's dentistry is virtually painless. Technology, stress control techniques, and some very sophisticated approaches to anesthesia have all contributed to painless treatment - from cleaning to cavity preparation to root canal treatment.

Cosmetic dentistry

A new discipline has grown up around restorative dentistry procedures. But, does it show in a smile?

• Tooth whitening is a simple, inexpensive way to lighten stains and discolorations on teeth without altering the natural structure.
• Dental bonding has come of age with the refinement of bonding resins. There's no limit to the cosmetic "magic' we can work on a smile - close gaps, reshape teeth, lengthen here, brighten there.
• Tooth-colored filling materials are getting prettier - and stronger - every day
• Dental Implants - Though people are keeping their teeth longer and longer, part of the older population still has to deal with missing teeth. For those denture wearers who've always hoped for something better, dental implants can be a kind of dental rebirth.

The future of dentistry looms exciting, too. Cosmetic laser dentistry, fiber optics, computer-aided design - all are finding applications in dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry - it's a whole new ball game.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.