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Crowns are typically associated with royalty, but those crowns go on your head, not your teeth. Dental crowns are slightly different, fitting over decayed or broken teeth to restore bright, beautiful smiles. Commonly custom-made, dental crowns act as caps, protecting remaining teeth and gums from periodontal disease, dental illnesses, and inflammation that could erode or deteriorate enamel. Crowns are restorative and transformative, bringing strength back to your teeth alongside a brilliant reason to grin.

There are various kinds of dental crowns, each with its benefits, so choosing is based on personal preference and the advice of a dental professional. Think of this blog as a brief guide into dental crowns, showcase types, procedures, and aftercare.

The Royal Treatment for Your Teeth: What Are Crowns?

Decayed or damaged teeth can hinder everyday functions, like eating and talking. In some cases, teeth are left sensitive, and the pain makes it even harder for someone to do daily activities. However, dental crowns are versatile and effective restoration methods, covering a tooth’s wear and tear to prevent further damage. The bonus? Crowns give you back a gorgeous, natural-looking smile.

Why You Might Need a Dental Crown

Teeth decay and deteriorate for various reasons; not every reason is within your control. Fortunately, the choice to get them fixed is within your power, and crowns are a restorative method to enhance enamel strength and protect remaining teeth from further damage. As you age, teeth become more fragile, becoming susceptible to chips, cracks, and breaks. With dental crowns, you have additional support and strength surrounding your teeth, making it easier to do everyday things, like enjoying your favorite meal.

Types of Dental Crowns: An Overview

• Porcelain Crowns

Popular for their natural appearance, porcelain crowns are slightly more expensive than other material types, but their construction is seamless, allowing them to blend with other teeth naturally. They are ideal for front teeth.

• Ceramic Crowns

Strong, metal-free ceramic crowns match the strength and color of natural teeth. They are best for people with metal allergies, especially on the back molars.

• Metal Crowns

Durable and strong metal crowns withstand wear and tear that might otherwise damage natural teeth. However, their metallic color makes them less aesthetic.

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

These dental crowns combine metal strength with porcelain aesthetics, lending teeth a natural look. However, metal may show near the gums, creating a visible dark line.

• Resin Crowns

Resin is the most affordable dental crown option. It matches teeth’s natural color and strength, making them as durable as natural teeth. However, if bite pressure is too hard, occasional fractures could occur.

• Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are the strongest crown material on the market and are biocompatible, making them ideal for people with sensitivities. They look natural and can be customized to match the color of a patient’s teeth.

• Temporary Crowns

Temporary dental crowns protect teeth temporarily to maintain structure and prevent damage. However, they are not as durable as long-term crowns and must be replaced to retain the integrity of the teeth underneath.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Dental crown procedures begin with a consultation to determine oral health without crowns. Affected teeth are prepared by removing decay and reshaping the tooth for a cap. Impressions or digital scans are taken of the reshaped and prepared teeth, and temporary crowns are fitted until permanent crowns are completed or alternatively the permanent crowns are made in office while the patient waits.  Foutz Family Dental has this capability.  The permanent dental crowns are fitted for comfort and cemented or bonded to prevent the crown from moving or falling out.

Aftercare for a dental crown is simple. Good oral hygiene is essential, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Routine dental checkups will ensure longevity and good oral health, so contact Foutz Family Dentistry for a consultation!

An important part of any athlete’s uniform is the mouth guard.  It has become standard in almost any sport to wear a mouth guard to protect teeth.  While it is more common to see mouth guards in sports such as football, hockey, and soccer, even athletes such as gymnasts or tennis players could benefit from wearing a mouth guard.  Because the mouth guard can be such an important piece to an athlete, it is crucial that it fit properly.  Custom fit mouth guards made by an experienced dentist offer the best fit and protection.  

Importance Of A Properly Fitted Mouth Guard

According to research, about 90% of mouth guards are bought at retail stores.  These mouth guards can’t be adjusted or molded to fit properly, thus decreasing their effectiveness.  Stock mouth guards have to be held in the mouth by clenching of the jaws and biting of the teeth. Boil and bite mouth guards are molded to the teeth by first boiling the mouth guard and then biting down on the piece.  The uneven bite, pressure from the bite, and large teeth can cause the plastic to wear thin in certain places.  If this happens, the mouth guard will need to be replaced midway through the season. While the boil and bite mouth guard offers a little more protection than a basic, stock mouth guard, it still interferes with an athlete’s breathing and speech.  

It is important that an athlete know how to protect the face and mouth. Mouth guards that don’t fit properly can be uncomfortable or work incorrectly. People mistakenly think that a large, bulky mouth guard will ensure less damage.  However, a mouth guard should not cover the soft palate part of the upper mouth.  If a mouth guard covers the soft palate, it can cause a gag reflex.  A mouth guard that is cut properly may not be as large, but it will offer better protection.  An athlete with a correctly fitted mouth guard should be able to speak clearly or breathe properly. The right fit can even allow a player to drink without having to remove the mouth guard at all.  The myth of a mouth guard is that it has to be uncomfortable in order to be doing the job right, when in fact, the mouth guard should fit comfortably or else it has been made wrong.  

Benefit Of Custom Fit Mouth Guards

To ensure a mouthpiece fits properly, it must cover the athlete’s teeth and gums with a precise fit.  An experienced dentist will be able to find just the right custom fit for your mouth. The goal is to protect gums from lacerations while protecting the athlete from a chipped or lost tooth, or root damage. Studies have shown that 10-40% of sports injuries in children are dental injuries. Wearing a mouth guard will greatly reduce the risk of damage to the teeth and mandibular jaw that could lead to costly endodontic treatment.  While research is still being conducted, there has been some evidence showing that properly fitted mouth guards can even help to reduce the amount of concussions in athletes.  Although a mouth guard doesn’t guarantee there will be no injury, it does drastically reduce the damage that can occur.  

Henderson Custom Fit Athletic Mouth Guards

Foutz Family Dentistry offers custom fit athletic mouth guard providing you or those you love with the best way of protecting your mouth. For more information contact our office today at (702) 792-5929.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929