Accidents happen. You bite down on a hard piece of candy, take an elbow to the face during a pickup game, or discover that years of teeth grinding have finally taken their toll. When chips and cracks appear on your teeth, they’re more than just cosmetic concerns that affect your smile’s appearance.
Leaving damaged teeth untreated can lead to serious complications. Small cracks can deepen over time, allowing bacteria to enter and cause painful infections. Chipped teeth become more vulnerable to decay, and weakened tooth structure can eventually lead to complete tooth loss. At Springs Dental, Dr. Hansel Navarrete and Dr. Enrique Legon specialize in restorative solutions like porcelain crowns that can save your damaged teeth and restore your confidence.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is essentially a tooth-shaped “cap” that covers and protects the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth. Think of it as protective armor that fits snugly over your natural tooth structure.
Crowns restore four critical elements: strength, function, shape, and appearance. Modern porcelain crowns are crafted to match the color, translucency, and texture of your surrounding teeth, creating a seamless blend that looks completely natural. Once placed, most people can’t tell the difference between a crown and your original tooth.
Why Crowns Are Ideal for Cracked and Chipped Teeth
Porcelain crowns offer comprehensive protection that goes far beyond what traditional fillings can provide. They create a protective barrier that prevents further damage or fracture, which is especially important for teeth with extensive cracks that could worsen under normal chewing pressure.
Crowns also restore your bite strength and function completely. After receiving a crown, you can eat your favorite foods without worrying about causing additional damage to the weakened tooth. The crown protects the remaining tooth structure from infection and decay by sealing out bacteria and food particles.
The aesthetic improvement is immediate and dramatic. Crowns not only repair damage but can also improve the overall appearance of your smile. They’re particularly essential for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment or those too severely damaged for fillings alone.
What to Expect from the Crown Process
The crown process typically involves several comfortable steps spread across two appointments. During your initial visit, Dr. Navarrete or Dr. Legon will evaluate the damage and prepare your tooth by removing any decay and shaping it to accommodate the crown.
Next, they’ll take digital impressions or molds of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These precise measurements ensure your crown will fit perfectly and function naturally with your bite. A temporary crown will be placed to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being custom-fabricated.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and your custom porcelain crown is carefully fitted and adjusted for optimal comfort and function. The final step involves bonding the crown permanently to your tooth and making any necessary bite adjustments.
Longevity and Care for Porcelain Crowns
With proper care, porcelain crowns typically last between 5 and 15 years, with many lasting even longer. The key to maximizing your crown’s lifespan lies in maintaining excellent oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing around the crown, just as you would with natural teeth.
Avoiding hard objects like ice, pens, and fingernails helps prevent chips or cracks in the porcelain. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a custom nightguard can protect both your crown and natural teeth from excessive wear.
Regular checkups at Springs Dental allow Dr. Navarrete and Dr. Legon to monitor your crown’s condition and address any issues before they become serious problems.
Restore Strength, Protect Your Smile
Dental crowns represent far more than cosmetic enhancement. They’re protective tools that can save vulnerable teeth from worsening damage and eventual loss. Modern porcelain crowns look and feel just like natural teeth, making them an excellent solution for long-term oral health and confidence.
If you’re dealing with a cracked or chipped tooth, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Book a consultation with Dr. Navarrete or Dr. Legon at Springs Dental, proudly serving Plantation and Davie, and discover how a porcelain crown can restore your smile with strength and confidence.
Contact Springs Dental:
754-778-0455
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8200 W Sunrise Blvd Suite A 1
Plantation, FL
33322