5 Ways to Maintain Your Dental Crown

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A dental crown is a cap that fits over your tooth to protect it from damage, hide cosmetic damage, or both. Dental crowns can be made from metal, resin, or porcelain—or a combination of these materials. Dental crowns can last a long time, especially if you follow the advice from your dentist in Tavernier, FL, to take good care of them. Below are five things you can do to care for your dental crown.

How To Maintain Your Dental Crown?

Maintaining your dental crown is a lot like taking care of your natural teeth. Follow the procedures below, and as always, do what your dentist says to maintain your crown.

1. Brush Twice Daily

Brush your teeth twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid toothpastes that claim to whiten or brighten teeth. Use a soft-bristle or electric toothbrush to keep your crown (and the teeth around it) clean.

2. Floss Once Daily

Floss around your crown just like you would floss around your other teeth. If you’re unsure if you’re flossing your teeth correctly, have your dentist show you how.

3. See the Dentist Twice Per Year

See your dentist twice annually for dental exams and cleanings. During your dental cleaning, your dentist will look for potential problems. If your dentist finds an issue, they’ll let you know.

4. Don’t Whiten Your Teeth

Dental crowns can’t be whitened, so if you get professional tooth whitening, you might make your crown a mismatch for the rest of your teeth. Avoid professional whitening and DIY whitening tactics.

5. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Scissors

Only use your teeth to chew food – don’t use your teeth as scissors to tear open packages. This can damage your crown. Avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food, like ice.

Do you have more questions about how to take care of your dental crowns in Tavernier, FL? Contact Florida Keys Dentists to learn more.

Dental Implant vs. Bridge: Which Option is Best?

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If you lost a tooth, you have a few different options when it comes to treatment. Whether you choose a dental implant or bridge, you can experience healthier teeth and gums, an improved smile, a better ability to chew, and more! However, before getting started, it’s important to understand the differences between these two dental solutions.

Keep reading to learn more about dental implants and bridges.

What is a Dental Implant?

Once a natural tooth is removed, you can experience problems with your dental health. One excellent way to fill the space is to get a dental implant. An implant replaces a missing tooth with a metal post, usually made of titanium. Over time, bone grows around the metal, providing support for the artificial tooth. Once the new structure is secure, a crown is screwed on top, resembling the existing enamel on your other teeth.

Considering one of these dental procedures? To learn more about bridges and dental implants in Tavernier, FL, contact Florida Keys Dentists today!

Pros and Cons

Unlike bridges, one of the top benefits of dental implants is that you don’t have to remove any enamel on surrounding teeth. This dental device should also last for a lifetime.

A leading disadvantage involves cost. Compared to a bridge, an implant costs significantly more.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is a dental device that involves one or more crowns and an artificial tooth. The crowns are cemented to the adjacent teeth of the missing space, creating a strong hold for the fake tooth and bridge.

Pros and Cons

A dental bridge is one of the most affordable options for replacing missing teeth. Compared to implants, bridges also involve a much shorter treatment period. One disadvantage is that a bridge requires a dentist to remove some enamel on surrounding teeth in order to secure the device.

Think a bridge or dental implant is right for you? If so, contact Florida Keys Dentists today to make an appointment with our skilled dentist in Tavernier, FL!

Sources

Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Finding What’s Best for You