A dentist wearing gloves examines a smiling womans teeth in a dental clinic.

What to Expect When You Need a Dental Crown 

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Do you have any teeth that are damaged or worn? Leaving them as is can make them more vulnerable to additional damage or infections. But a dental crown can help protect them and restore their functionality. At Sand Dollar Dental, our dentists in Foley, AL, offer dental crowns as a tooth restoration option. Here’s what happens when you visit us for this treatment!

Tooth Prep

We have to take steps to make sure your tooth is all set for a crown. This typically means eliminating decayed parts and removing a small amount of enamel so the crown has room. Once your tooth is ready, we’ll take impressions that we use to have a custom dental crown made.

Temp Crown

In some cases, we might place a temporary crown on your tooth until the new one is ready. Having this crown on offers some protection, though it may not fit perfectly since it’s not a custom one.

Permanent Crown

When your new crown is ready, we’ll have you visit us again. During this appointment, we’ll take off the temporary crown and put the new one on. Our dentists make sure it fits properly on your tooth.

Crown Care

Before leaving our office, we’ll give you guidance on how to care for your new dental crown. Keeping it in good condition will help it last longer over the years for ongoing protection.

Visit Our Office for Dental Crowns!

Have you decided to have a tooth restored? Our dental crowns in Foley, AL, offer a great way to improve the appearance of worn or damaged teeth and make them functional again. Our dentists at Sand Dollar Dental can answer any other questions you have about this process!

A dental model showing three dental implants with artificial teeth being placed using metal tweezers.

How Do Dental Crowns Benefit Your Teeth? 

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Damage and decay can affect the appearance of your teeth and their overall function. But dental crowns can help those teeth look better again and make it easier to chew and bite foods. Our dentists in Foley, AL, at Sand Dollar Dental offer crowns to restore teeth. Let’s take a closer look at how dental crowns help your teeth!

Improved Appearance

Crowns serve aesthetic purposes, along with practical ones. We can have them made to match your natural teeth in terms of shape, color, and size. This means you can get crowns to Improve the appearance of teeth that are worn, misshapen, or discolored, giving you an enhanced smile!

Restored Functionality

Decayed or damaged teeth can make everyday motions and tasks hard to do, like chewing food or speaking to others clearly. Dental crowns bring functionality back to these teeth, allowing you to talk easily and bite or grind food while eating. These improvements can have a beneficial effect on your day-to-day life.

Long-Term Restoration Option

Dental crowns can keep your teeth functioning for a decade or more! They’re made of durable materials that last when you take proper care of them. If they do wear out or become loose, we can easily replace them with new crowns.

Additional Damage Prevention

Crowns are like caps for your teeth. They protect them from developing additional damage that can raise the risk of infections or other problems.

Set Up an Appointment for Dental Crowns!

Do you have damaged or worn teeth? Our dentists at Sand Dollar Dental offer dental crowns in Foley, AL, for tooth restoration. We can place crowns on your teeth, restoring their function and enhancing their appearance for a beautiful smile!

Close-up of a dental crown being placed onto a tooth, with adjacent teeth and gum tissue visible in the background.

Top 6 Advantages of Dental Crowns 

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Are damaged teeth causing you trouble? Worn or decayed teeth can affect your smile and even make eating tough to do! At Sand Dollar Dental, our dentists in Foley, AL, can restore teeth with dental crowns. Here’s a closer look at several of the top benefits of this option!

Improved Appearance

A decayed tooth in the front of your mouth might make you hesitant to smile. Restoring it with a dental crown that matches its natural color and shape can help you feel much more confident while smiling!

Reinforcement for Worn or Weakened Teeth

Dental crowns can help make weak or eroded teeth stronger. This helps lower the risk of these teeth breaking or cracking, leading to additional dental problems.

Restored Functionality

Do you have a hard time chewing thanks to a decayed or damaged tooth? A dental crown makes eating more comfortable and easier to do.

Protection from Additional Damage

Teeth that are already weak or decayed are more prone to becoming more damaged. Dental crowns or caps cover these teeth, reducing the risk of having more damage occur.

Protection from Decay and Infections

Crowns cover affected teeth, keeping them safe from bacteria that can cause infections. They also help protect these teeth from further decay.

Durability

Did you know that crowns can last for many years before they need to be replaced? Proper care helps these restorations remain in good condition!

Find Quality Dental Care in Foley!

Do you need crowns or other restorations for your teeth? Our dental team at Sand Dollar Dental offers different types of dental crowns in Foley, AL. After evaluating your teeth, we can recommend the best way to restore them for an improved appearance and better functionality!

A family of four, two adults and two children, pose closely together outdoors, smiling at the camera with greenery in the background.

Aftercare Tips for Crowns and Bridges

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After spending the time and money to get a crown or bridge, you want your new dental appliance to last. These appliances are designed for long-term wear, but there are steps you can take to protect them even more. The after-care you receive and do at home will mean a big difference in how long these last.

Brush and Floss Regularly

The first thing to do is to brush and floss your teeth regularly, as you had been before. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, preferably with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, to keep them free of debris, then floss around the crown parts, keeping food from building up in between the teeth.

Eat Carefully

Some foods can damage your crown or bridge. Particularly hard or sticky foods are difficult. When you do have a time when you need or want to eat foods that are hard or sticky, chew carefully or try to chew on the side that does not have the crown so you can protect your appliance. Similarly, your dentist in Foley, AL, will recommend avoiding chewing non-food items, like your pen cap or fingernails, which could damage the crown.

Limit Sugar

The less sugar you eat, the better, not just for your crown, but also for your remaining teeth. Sugary foods and acidic foods lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, but you can limit this risk by limiting your consumption of them.

Get Regular Dental Checks

Finally, keep up with your twice-a-year dental checkups. You need to have a dentist in Foley, AL, to take a look regularly to ensure the crown and bridge are in good shape. You can schedule an appointment with Sand Dollar Dental if you are overdue for one of these checks.

A dental model shows three dental implants with crowns, with tweezers positioning one crown; dental tools are visible in the background.

 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Dental Crowns

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Your dental crowns help protect your tooth enamel and keep your teeth safe. Dental crowns also look beautiful. You can keep your dental crowns functioning and looking their best by taking good care of them.

Your dentist in Foley, AL, can help you care for your crowns. Below are some things we recommend for people who have dental crowns. If you have questions, ask your dentist during your next dental appointment.

1. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Scissors

It’s tempting to use your teeth to cut through packaging when you don’t have scissors on hand. Using your teeth as scissors can damage your dental crowns. Avoid using your teeth as scissors.

2. Avoid Using Abrasive Toothpaste

Abrasive toothpaste is good for whitening your teeth, but bad for your dental crowns. Using abrasive toothpaste can lead your teeth to become scratched and stained.

If you’re unsure which toothpastes are abrasive, avoid any toothpastes that say they will whiten or brighten your teeth. Not sure which toothpastes are safe for your teeth? Talk to your dentist for a recommendation.

3. See the Dentist Regularly

The dentist can help you care for your dental crowns just like your other teeth. See the dentist regularly for dental checkups and cleanings. If your dentist finds a problem with your crown, they’ll recommend treatment to help resolve the problem.

4. Address Dental Problems Quickly

Don’t wait to get help with dental problems. If you’re noticing pain or discomfort around your dental crown, see the dentist as soon as possible.

5. Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

Continue to brush your teeth twice per day just like you did before. Taking good care of your teeth can help your dental crown last as long as possible.

Do you need dental crowns in Foley, AL? Call today to make your next dental appointment.

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4 Ways to Care for Your Dental Crown

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Dental crowns last a long time, but you can make them last longer with proper dental care. The things you do to take care of your dental crowns can help your crowns continue to look their best and avoid damage over time. Your dentist in Foley, AL, can help. At Sand Dollar Dental, we provide dental care and advice to help you maintain your dental crown. Below are some of the tips we provide to people with dental crowns.

1. Brush Using Non-Abrasive Toothpaste

Abrasive toothpaste can scratch and wear down your dental crown. Some toothpastes are abrasive. This helps remove stains on tooth enamel.

For a dental crown, abrasive toothpaste can have the opposite effect. Porcelain crowns have a glaze over the surface of the crown. This glaze gives the crown its sheen and helps protect the crown from stains. Using abrasive toothpaste can wear down the glaze and lead to stains! To avoid problems, use non-abrasive toothpaste.

2. Take Care to Avoid Cracking Your Crown

If you regularly chew on pen caps, ice, and other non-food items, break the habit. Chewing on things that aren’t food can lead your dental crown to become cracked and damaged.

3. See the Dentist Regularly

Visit the dentist for check-ups and cleanings twice annually. This will help your dentist catch problems with your crown before they become serious.

4. Don’t Whiten Your Teeth

Porcelain crowns can’t be whitened. If you whiten your teeth, your teeth will get whiter, and your crown will stay the same shade. Your teeth and crown will no longer match.

Want to know more about maintaining dental crowns in Foley, AL? Call the pros at Sand Dollar Dental today.

Close-up of a dental crown being placed onto a tooth, with adjacent teeth and gum tissue visible in the background.

Metal Crowns Vs. Porcelain Crowns – Which One?

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If you need dental crowns, your dentist in Foley, AL may offer you a variety of choices. Dental crowns can be made from different materials, including metal and porcelain. Choosing a material for your dental crown requires you to be informed about each material option. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of metal dental crowns and porcelain crowns. This allows you to make informed decisions.

Pros and Cons of Metal Crowns

Metal crowns can be made from gold, chromium, palladium, and nickel. Metal crowns are very thin and require the least amount of tooth enamel to be removed to make room for the crown. In addition, metal rarely cracks or chips. Of all the dental crown materials available, metal is the strongest and longest-lasting.

What’s the downside? For some patients, the crown color is a problem. Metal crowns don’t look like natural teeth. They’re the color of metal. For this reason, many patients choose metal crowns for teeth in the back of the mouth.

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are tooth-colored and attractive. They’re impossible to tell from other teeth, so many people choose porcelain crowns for the teeth near the front of the mouth. Porcelain crowns require more tooth enamel to be shaved off to make room for the crown, and they can be chipped or cracked.

Which One Is Right For Me?

Choosing the right crown material can be a challenge. For many patients, it depends on the placement of the tooth, what is covered by their insurance, aesthetics, and other considerations. If you’re unsure which material is right for your dental crowns in Foley, AL, talk to your dental professional at Sand Dollar Dental. We’re here to help.

A dental model shows three dental implants with crowns, with tweezers positioning one crown; dental tools are visible in the background.

What Is the Difference Between a Dental Crown and a Bridge?

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Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a dental crown and a bridge? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Yourdentist in Foley, AL, can go over it with you. But, if you don’t want to wait, here is the explanation you are looking for.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped dental cap. It’s used as a tooth restoration option. The cap completely covers (caps) your tooth or dental implant.

What Is a Dental Crown Used For?

Crowns restore broken, cracked, decayed, weak, or worn-down teeth. Dental crowns are also frequently used as part of the root canal or dental implant process.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is an oral restoration appliance that remains fixed in your mouth.

What Is a Dental Bridge Used For?

Dental bridges in Foley, AL, are used to replace one or several of your missing teeth. It does this by joining an artificial tooth to one of your remaining teeth or implants. These are used to bridge the gap between two of your healthy teeth.

Bridges are made up of two or several dental crowns for the teeth that are on either side of the gap left by your missing teeth.

How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?

Well, it depends. An implant-supported bridge is extremely durable. And they will generally last at least 10 years. But only if you care for your teeth properly. However, if you have a bridge that only uses a single tooth or metal framework, that type of bridge only has a life expectancy between five and seven years.

It’s a little different for dental crowns. Many crowns can last a lifetime. However, some will crack or need to be replaced between the 10- and 30-year mark.

How Many Teeth Can You Have on a Bridge?

A dental bridge can fill the gap between a single tooth. Or it can be used to fill the gap between four or more teeth. However, the more teeth needed to replace your missing teeth, the more dental crowns you will need to support that bridge. And longer bridges tend to be less stable.

Looking for a Dentist in Foley, AL?

You are going to need a dentist if you want to get a dental bridge or crown. PleaseContact Sand Dollar Dental today. Don’t put off getting your mouth back to normal. We can help. So don’t delay, contact us today!

Close-up of a dental crown being placed onto a tooth, with adjacent teeth and gum tissue visible in the background.

3 Important Functions of Dental Crowns

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Dental crowns are common. In fact, millions of people have them. They’re the color and shape of your natural teeth, and they hide flaws that may cause pain or embarrassment. Nobody will ever know you have a dental crown unless you tell them. They’ll just assume your bright, perfect smile came naturally, which is the ultimate goal of your dental professional. However, aside from looking beautiful, crowns serve several other important functions. Your dentist in Foley, AL, may recommend the placement of a dental crown for several reasons.

1. Dental Crowns Are Used to Stabilize Compromised Teeth

If your dentist discovers a tooth that is cracked, fractured, or otherwise compromised, their first effort will be to try to save it. As long as it’s not damaged beyond repair, they may be able to reinforce the tooth by placing a crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped shell that fits over your natural tooth like a sleeve. It can be dyed to match the surrounding teeth, so it’s completely unnoticeable. Its function is to strengthen and restore the tooth structure, so extraction isn’t necessary.

2. Dental Crowns Hide a Variety of Flaws

Teeth that have been worn down, stained, chipped, or misshapen can all be improved through the application of a dental crown. Crowns can also fix wide spaces or gaps between teeth, so your smile appears to be perfectly aligned.

3. Dental Crowns Prevent Reinfection of the Tooth Pulp

In the event you may require a root canal procedure, your dentist will cap the affected tooth with a crown after they clean, sanitize, and fill the root canals. This serves to seal the entry point into the pulp, and it prevents the tooth from becoming reinfected. It also stabilizes the structure and restores the function and appearance of the tooth.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental crowns in Foley, AL, we invite you to contact Sand Dollar Dental. Call today to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable staff member, and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation. Sand Dollar Dental is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Kurt and Holly Reineck, who are both doctors of dentistry, and we look forward to treating your family like it’s our own.

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A dentist wearing gloves and a face mask holds up a model of human teeth in a dental clinic.

Can I Wear A Bridge While Waiting For My Implant?

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Losing a tooth can be a distressing experience, and it’s natural to want a solution that restores your smile as soon as possible. Dental implants in Foley, AL are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, but the process can take several months to complete. A common question that arises during this waiting period is whether you can wear a dental bridge to fill the gap temporarily.

Using a Temporary Bridge During the Implant Process

A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth, called a pontic, to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. While waiting for your dental implant to heal, your dentist in Foley, AL might talk to you about wearing a temporary bridge to fill the gap and maintain your appearance.

In many cases, wearing a temporary bridge is possible, but it depends on the specific circumstances and the recommendations of your dentist. A removable partial denture, also known as a “flipper,” may be another viable option to consider. These temporary solutions can help you maintain your smile and speech while the implant process is underway.

Pros and Cons of Wearing a Bridge During the Implant Process

Wearing a temporary bridge or removable partial denture while waiting for your dental implant offers several benefits, including:

  • Improved appearance – Filling the gap in your smile can boost your confidence and maintain a more natural appearance.
  • Better functionality – A temporary solution can help with chewing and speaking, which can be affected by a missing tooth.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider:

  • Additional cost – A temporary bridge or partial denture may come with additional costs that may not be covered by dental insurance.
  • Potential complications – Depending on the location of the implant and the type of temporary restoration, there might be a risk of complications or damage to the healing implant site.

Wearing a bridge while waiting for your dental implant is a possibility, but it’s essential to discuss your options with your dentist. They will consider your individual circumstances and recommend the best course of action to ensure a successful and aesthetically pleasing result. Contact us for an appointment to discuss your dental implant options.