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dental crowns Archives - Magic Smiles Dental

Aug 13
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3D illustration of how dental crowns are placed on the teeth.

Exploring Smile Restorations: Dental Crowns, Fillings, and Bridges

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

When it comes to restoring your smile, restorative dentistry at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre offers a variety of solutions that cater to different needs, including dental crowns, fillings, and bridges.

Whether you’re dealing with a chipped tooth, a cavity, or a missing tooth, there’s a treatment designed to bring back your smile’s brilliance. Talk to our Woolgoolga, NSW, team at (02) 6654-0650 or consult with our Coffs Harbour, NSW, crew at (02) 6652-3242 to learn more about your options. 

In today’s blog, our team explores three popular options to mend your smile: dental crowns, fillings, and bridges. By understanding the differences among these restorations, you’ll be better equipped to choose the one that’s just right for you.

Dental Crowns: The Royal Treatment for Your Teeth

If your tooth has suffered extensive damage – whether from decay, a fracture, or a large filling that’s weakened over time – a dental crown is often the best option. 

Think of a dental crown as a protective cap that covers the entire tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Made from durable materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, dental crowns are designed with durability and aesthetics in mind.

One of the biggest advantages of dental crowns is their versatility and longevity, with many patients enjoying their restorations for decades. So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting solution that offers comprehensive protection, dental crowns are a great choice.

Fillings: Small But Mighty

While dental crowns are ideal for more extensive damage, fillings are the go-to solution for smaller issues, like chips and cavities. 

Fillings are a quick and straightforward solution, often completed in just one visit to the dentist. And with materials like composite resin and metal, you can feel confident that your fillings will last for years.

If decay or damage has created a small hole in your tooth, a filling can repair the problem and prevent it from getting worse. That’s right – these small but mighty restorations may be all you need to keep your tooth in top shape.

Bridges: Closing the Gap

Finally, let’s explore dental bridges, which are designed to replace a single tooth or even multiple missing teeth. A bridge consists of dental crowns supported by the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth (or teeth) in between. This restoration not only fills the space left by a missing tooth but also helps maintain the alignment of your remaining teeth.

Bridges are a great option if you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap and want a fixed, non-removable solution. They’re durable, natural-looking, and can help restore both function and appearance to your smile.

Which One Is Right for You?

Choosing between dental crowns, fillings, and bridges depends on the specific needs of your teeth. If you’re dealing with extensive damage, dental crowns offer comprehensive protection. For smaller cavities, fillings are quick and effective. And if you’re missing a tooth or two, bridges can help restore your smile’s function and beauty.

Keep Smiling with Restorative Dentistry in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, NSW

Whatever your dental needs, there’s a restorative dentistry solution that’s right for you at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre. Send our dentists in Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga, NSW, a message here to learn more about which option best suits your smile.

Mar 27
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3D illustration of how crowns for teeth sit on a dental implant

Six Reasons Why You Might Need Crowns for Teeth

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

Dental crowns are a common restorative dental procedure that involves placing a cap over a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns for teeth can restore their shape, size, and strength. This means that these prosthetics can easily restore your chewing, speaking, and smiling abilities.

 

Crowns for teeth are an ideal way to reclaim your oral health and regain your confidence. If you’re interested in this restorative treatment, then contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre today. With two locations in beautiful Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, NSW, we make dental care easy, effective, and convenient for you.

 

Typically, dentists use dental crowns to treat a variety of dental issues, as they can provide long-lasting results. In this blog, we discuss some of the reasons why you might need crowns for teeth.

Severe Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common dental issue that can cause very wide and deep cavities to form in a tooth. If the decay is severe enough, it can weaken the tooth structure. This is critical, as a weak tooth is much more likely to crack or break over time.

 

Rather than a dental filling, a dentist can use a dental crown to cover the decayed tooth and restore its strength and function.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can be painful, making it difficult to eat, drink, and communicate. Dentists can use crowns for teeth to cover dental damage and protect them from further injury. In some cases, a dentist can also use a crown to hold a broken tooth together.

Large Fillings or Repeated Dental Work

Large fillings and repeated dental work on the same tooth can weaken the tooth structure, making fractures likely in the not-so-distant future. Dentists can use dental crowns to cover the tooth and provide additional support, preventing further damage and potential tooth loss.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a procedure that dentists use to remove infected dental pulp from the inside of a tooth. After a root canal, the tooth can become weak and brittle, making it likely to crack or fracture. 

 

Rather than dental fillings, dentists use crowns for teeth that receive root canal therapy. The crowns offer superior protection compared to fillings, which is why root canals are roughly 98% effective. 

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement option. It involves placing a metal post into the jawbone and attaching a dental crown to the top of the post once the implant fully heals. 

Cosmetic Reasons

Patients can also use dental crowns for cosmetic reasons, such as:

  • Covering dental damage, like chips
  • Concealing craze lines
  • Hiding stubborn dental stains
  • Changing the size and shape of irregular teeth

Crowns for Teeth in New South Wales

Crowns can restore your smile, enhance your oral health, and beautify your appearance. If you think that you might benefit from crowns for teeth, then contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre today! All patients can reach our team of experts by submitting messages online here.

Dec 19
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3D illustration of how dental crowns are placed on the teeth.

Dental Crowns vs. Dental Fillings: Which is right for me?

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

Leaving dental damage and decay untreated can be risky. It can lead to significant pain and trigger other oral health issues, eventually resulting in disease, dysfunction, and tooth loss. Luckily, restorative dentistry treatments (like dental crowns or fillings) can help you address damage and decay so that you can smile with complete comfort and confidence.

 

Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre is your premier location for preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour. Don’t let cavities and dental damage disrupt your life–schedule an appointment with our team here to get the care you deserve.

 

Before you address cavities, chips, cracks, or fractures, you need to know the primary differences between dental crowns and fillings. In this blog post, our team compares and contrasts dental crowns vs. dental fillings so that you can make the best choice for your smile.

What are dental fillings?

Dental fillings allow dentists to fill in small cavities, cracks, chips, and pits in the teeth. As a result, dental fillings are an ideal way to restore minimally-damaged teeth back to their original shape and strength. 

Lifespan

There are different types of fillings, including metal and tooth-colored composite resin. The lifespan of dental fillings is largely dependent on which type of filling patients receive.  

 

At Magic Smiles, we provide patients with aesthetically-pleasing and effective composite resin fillings. These tooth-colored restorations can last patients for 10 years or longer with the proper upkeep.

Cost

In Australia, the government does not fund many dental treatments in the same way that it covers other medical treatments. Therefore, patients may be responsible for all dental filling costs.

 

Luckily, fillings are an affordable way to repair and enhance your smile. Surveys suggest that simple fillings may cost patients around $275, while more complicated fillings may total around $500.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns go by many names, including teeth crowns and caps. But, no matter what name they go by, they are a long-lasting way to repair significantly damaged or decayed teeth. 

 

Caps are tooth-shaped prosthetics that fit over badly injured or decayed teeth. Because crowns completely encapsulate compromised teeth, they offer more protection against future damage and decay than fillings do.

Lifespan

Similar to fillings, crowns also come in many different varieties, including porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconia. At Magic Smiles, we provide numerous types of crowns so that you can choose the right restoration for you.

 

In general, dental caps can last for 15 years or longer with diligent care.

Cost

Again, patients may be responsible for all dental-crown costs. And, unfortunately, caps are more pricey than fillings, with most treatments costing over $1,000. However, the cost of treatment directly reflects dental caps’ effectiveness, as they offer far more protection than fillings.

Which is right for me?

Typically, dental fillings are right for patients with minimal damage or decay. Alternatively, caps may be ideal for patients with significant damage or decay. 

 

But, you don’t have to make the choice alone–the team at Magic Smiles can help you pick the best option for your smile and budget.

Learn More About Dental Crowns and Fillings 

Let the team at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre help you restore your smile’s health, beauty, and function with comprehensive solutions. Reach out to our team here to learn more about your restorative options today.

Nov 03
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Close-up image of crowns for teeth in Coffs Harbour, NSW

Six Reasons to Get Crowns for Teeth

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

Dental crowns for teeth serve as protective coverings to combat continued damage, decay, and dysfunction. As a result, dental crowns (also called caps) are a popular restorative solution to strengthen and beautify patients’ smiles.

 

Looking for top-notch restorative dental care in a friendly and educational atmosphere? Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre is your premier location for all things dental health. Schedule your next dental appointment at one of our three, convenient locations in Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga, New South Wales by submitting a request online here.

 

Meanwhile, let our team tell you six reasons why you might need dental crowns for teeth. From restorative to cosmetic, these versatile prosthetics offer numerous benefits.

1. Prevent Cavities from Spreading

Did you know that cavities are contagious? 2014 research indicates that cavities are infectious, as cavity-causing bacteria are easily transmissible via saliva. That’s right–swapping spit can result in tooth-destroying cavities.

 

If you have a cavity, then it’s important to protect yourself and others from damaging bacteria. Dental caps can prevent extensive dental decay from spreading to surrounding teeth or other people. As a result, crowns for teeth serve as comprehensive treatments that restore patients’ smiles and their interpersonal relationships. 

2. An Alternative to Traditional Teeth Whitening

Traditional teeth-whitening treatments easily lift external stains from the teeth. But, when it comes to internal discoloration, traditional teeth-whitening just won’t cut it.

 

Internal stains may be the result of trauma, medications, or health conditions. Whatever the cause, they are immune to traditional whitening methods. Instead, patients with intrinsic stains can seamlessly cover discoloration with tooth crowns.

 

Our team can craft and color-match crowns to patients’ exact specifications. As a result, patients can tailor their smiles to meet their aesthetic, health, and budgetary goals.

3. Combat Tooth Sensitivity

Thinning tooth enamel is the primary cause of dental sensitivity. And, even though tooth enamel is the toughest substance in our bodies, it is incapable of repairing itself once damaged.

 

Significantly worn or thin tooth enamel requires reinforcement. However, simpler solutions (like dental fillings) may not be enough to support ultra-weak teeth. Dental caps offer more protection than fillings while also improving the appearance of dull or discolored teeth.

4. Complete a Dental Implant or Dental Bridge

Tooth caps can sit atop a dental implant to replace missing teeth. Alternatively, crowns can serve as anchors on neighboring teeth to keep dental bridges securely in place. 

5. Protect Teeth Following Root Canal Therapy

If a cavity goes untreated for too long, it may result in a painful (and potentially life-threatening!) root canal infection. Luckily, root canal therapy effectively removes the infection. But, teeth with root canal infections require long-lasting protection.

 

A tooth cap protects and restores teeth following root canal therapy. As a result, patients can keep their natural teeth longer without sacrificing their overall aesthetic.

6. Reshape Teeth to Improve Oral Function and Aesthetics

In some cases, short or misshapen teeth can affect dental occlusion (the way our teeth align and interact). Dental crowns for teeth with abnormalities help patients improve their bite patterns, which improves their oral function and appearance.

Crowns for Teeth in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour

Are you ready to see if crowns are right for your teeth? Then, contact the team at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre today! Patients can easily reach one of our three locations by submitting appointment requests online here.

Jun 16
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Girl looks concerned after addressing teeth grinding in New South Wales

Dental Crowns: Why do they feel loose?

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

At some point in your life, you might need dental crowns or “caps.” Dental crowns are artificial teeth that act as a protective outer layer of the tooth, which can prolong the life of your natural teeth. If you have severely damaged or decayed teeth, Dr. Arpit Pathak and the Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre team might recommend placing a dental crown as part of restorative dentistry treatment. Find out more information about our various dental crown options at our Woolgoolga or Coffs Harbour, NSW, dental offices by reaching out online.

Dental crowns look, feel, and function like natural teeth when properly placed. On the other hand, a loose crown can cause more problems than you might imagine. Aside from imperfect dental work, here are six other factors that might cause dental crowns to detach:

1. Physical Trauma

If you take a blow where a dental crown was placed, it can become loose or influence what’s beneath the restoration. For example, physical trauma can loosen the bonding agent. In other cases, the tooth underneath the dental crown can become fractured.

2. Bruxism

Bruxism is the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, which are not part of ordinary chewing actions. This condition is not only detrimental to your jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), but bruxism can loosen, crack, and break your dental work.

3. Underlying Tooth Decay

Even though the crown itself cannot experience tooth decay, the underlying tooth can—beneath dental crowns, dentin, tooth root, and other dental structures are still intact. So, if the protected tooth starts to deteriorate along the gumline, the bonding agent that holds the dental crown in place and the tooth begin to break down. Ultimately, the crown will feel loose or even fall out.

4. Chewy and Sticky Foods

Please don’t let a snack dislodge your dental work. Commonly, chewy and sticky foods force dental crowns out of alignment. Sticky candies (like caramels) are especially hazardous since they slowly break the cement’s seal and can yank the restoration off the tooth.

5. Ill-Fitting Dental Crowns

Ideally, dental crowns have adequate size, length, and shape to blend in seamlessly with your smile. The underlying tooth serves as secure seating for a perfectly fitted crown. Once bonded, dental crowns shouldn’t loosen or come off easily.

However, your dental crown might feel like it’s about to fall off if the underlying tooth is inadequate, imperfectly shaped, or simply doesn’t fit. With brand new dental crowns, dentists typically notice a bad fit and take corrective steps before you realize that there’s an issue. Still, if you notice a bad fit with a crown that has been otherwise dependable for an extensive period, that could mean something has shifted, broken, or altered.

6. Older Dental Work

Sometimes, the fit of the crown is not the problem. Almost all crowns are cemented or bonded onto the natural tooth structure. After many years, the cement washes away. Consequently, the crown might loosen or fall off.

Wobbly dental crowns? Visit Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre

Even though loose dental crowns can be unsettling or uncomfortable, this is a relatively common issue. Luckily, if you act quickly and the underlying teeth and crown are not damaged, your dentist can recement the same crown. Call (02) 6652-3242 or message us online to schedule an appointment. The sooner, the better.

Aug 12
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Veneers or dental crowns: which are best?

Veneers vs Crowns:  Which option is right for you?

By Cosmetic Dentistry No Comments

Veneers and dental crowns are great ways to improve a smile. One restores damaged or decayed teeth while the other is solely cosmetic. 

Dr. Arpit Pathak at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre can explain the pros and cons of veneers and crowns to help you determine the best option for your smile.

How are veneers and crowns different?

Dental crowns cover and protect damaged and decayed teeth. They can also replace a missing tooth when paired with a dental implant. 

A dental crown can be thought of as a cover for the whole tooth. They are roughly 2 millimeters thick and are made of either porcelain, a combination of porcelain and metal, or entirely of metal.

A veneer is a thin tooth-colored shell that is attached to the front of an existing tooth. It is made of porcelain or resin (a composite material) and is roughly about 1 mm thick.

Veneers can cover surface-level chips and cracks. However, chips and cracks that affect the tooth’s root or pulp must be treated with a crown. 

Because a veneer only covers the front surface of a tooth, it leaves more of the original tooth intact than crowns. However, about half a millimeter of the enamel on the front of the tooth needs to be ground down to roughen the surface for bonding a veneer.

What’s the process for getting a veneer?

The dentist makes an impression of your tooth either by digital scan or by mold. The image or mold is then sent out to a lab for the creation of the veneer. When the veneer is manufactured and sent back to the dentist, it is bonded to the tooth using special cement. Once the cement hardens, the veneer is ready to go.

What’s the process for getting a crown? 

Unlike veneers, dental crowns cover an entire tooth. Because of that, more of the original tooth needs to be filed in advance of crown placement.

As with veneers, a dentist takes an impression of your tooth by digital scan or by mold and then sends that scan or mold to a lab for manufacturing of the crown.

When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist will place it on the patient’s tooth. Then, the fit and bite will be adjusted until comfortable.

What are the pros and cons of crowns and veneers?

The pros of crowns

  • Entire coverage of the tooth so there is more protection from decay
  • Porcelain crowns look and feel like natural teeth

The cons of crowns

  • More of the natural tooth needs to be filed or ground down to prepare the tooth for placement
  • The fragility of the porcelain means it can be damaged over time
  • A dark line between the crown and the gum may become visible as the gum recedes over time (this only applies to crowns that are made from porcelain fused with metal alloy)

The pros of veneers

  • Aesthetically pleasing; no line between the gum and the crown becomes visible 
  • Don’t require a lot of filing or grinding of natural teeth in preparation

The cons of veneers

  • More of the natural tooth is left exposed, leading to decay
  • The lifespan of veneers is only 5-7 years, at which point they may have to be replaced
  • Veneers are not reversible

Learn More from Our Coffs Harbour Dentist

A patient with teeth that require restoration can get all of their questions answered about crowns and veneers by Dr. Pathak and his team. Call any one of our three convenient locations (Coffs Harbour – (02) 6652-3242 or Woolgoolga – (02) 6654-0650) or conveniently schedule an appointment online today.