Put a crown on it!
The versatility, durability, and ease of our in-house dental crowns – made while you wait!
Stephen Huber, DDS, supports the total health of the family. From our office in Leawood, Kansas, we work with patients to prevent damage to their teeth, gums, and other oral structures. When damage cannot be avoided, we also partner with patients to intervene and resolve early-stage disease and trauma before it threatens a tooth’s health and structural integrity. With this close, relational approach, we prevent tooth loss and promote everything from a nutritious diet to a positive self-image (fueled by an attractive smile!).
Dental crowns are a powerful ally in our pursuit of preserving natural teeth and avoiding severe complications, such as extractions or the removal of irreparably damaged or broken teeth.
What are crowns?
Think of crowns as thin “caps” that fit on top of the remaining, healthy tooth structures that have been “prepared.” So, we can give a moderately to severely damaged tooth a second chance. The crown is made from a variety of different materials and shaped so that it fits perfectly on top of the white part of the tooth. In turn, the crown restores the strength, healthy function, and natural and aesthetic appearance of a tooth weakened or vulnerable due to disease or injury.
Am I a good candidate for a crown?
Dr. Huber will closely evaluate the condition of the troublesome tooth. From there, he may recommend a dental filling, crown, or other restoration. Generally, crowns are appropriate for areas of decay or damage that cannot be adequately treated with a dental filling alone. Large cavities are not well-suited for fillings because they do not provide the “coverage” necessary to restore the damaged tooth properly. Crowns can also be used to replace a broken or old filling and may even be an option for extensive cosmetic cases (such as a severely misshapen tooth) and to replace a tooth that cannot be preserved with root canal therapy or through other means. It provides the “finishing touch” for a dental implant, and crowns also anchor the replacement tooth in a conventional dental bridge.
Dental Crowns – Before and After Images
Actual Patients / Actual Results at Stephen Huber, DDS
Case: Bob
Bob came to us unhappy with the shape, position, and color of his front teeth. Upon examination, Dr. Huber discovered that Bob’s teeth were very worn and that some of the old fillings he had were breaking down and developing decay. Cosmetically, Bob’s teeth were getting shorter and thinner, and they were developing a translucent, gray appearance. Dr. Huber’s plan for restoring Bob’s teeth to health consisted of eight porcelain crowns on the upper teeth and composite bonding the lower teeth. For Bob, we were able to successfully regain what he had lost with very strong and durable porcelain protection. He can now enjoy the handsome smile he had wanted for years.
Case: Mary
Mary wasn’t ever happy with her teeth, and as a result, her self-esteem suffered. At her initial consultation, she stated, “I hate to smile with my mouth open.” Mary desired a pretty smile. In order to achieve Mary’s dental goals, Dr. Huber sat down with her and together, they designed her new smile. Mary’s gums were repositioned to create the illusion of longer teeth, and all-porcelain crowns were placed to give her a bright, wide, and dazzling smile. Mary now has the teeth she always dreamed of, but more importantly, she appreciates, “the self-esteem I have regained by not being embarrassed to smile again, and smile BIG!”
Case: Scott
Scott is your “classic clencher”, meaning any stress he experiences shows itself in his teeth. He had considered a smile makeover for years, but he could not seem to find the time to actually do it. The wear and tear of years of clenching and grinding had worn Scott’s teeth down significantly, thus aging him and causing interference with normal jaw function and movements. Scott’s smile makeover was set up in phases. The first phase required orthodontics to align his teeth. The second phase consisted of contouring his gum tissue to eliminate unevenness and create symmetry. During the third phase of treatment, we placed 20 porcelain crowns, giving Scott proper tooth shape, size, and color. Now, Scott not only has a very youthful and radiant smile but he also has a smile that is functional, healthy, and strong.
What if my tooth is infected?
It may still be preserved! This is where root canal treatment comes into play. And no root canal therapy would be complete without a dental crown. The crown strengthens a tooth that has been treated with the root canal procedure. The process generally involves removing the infection and diseased tissues deep within the tooth. When finished with a crown, the tooth is no longer vulnerable to damage. Tooth loss/extraction is avoided!
How do you make crowns?
We are glad you asked because, thanks to our investments in technology, the office of Stephen Huber, DDS, can make your new tooth structure while you wait – in just one visit. At other offices that use traditional processes, it would require at least two visits to get a new crown. You would have to wait at least a few weeks while an outside lab made your crown. At our location in Leawood, Kansas, our talented team designs, fabricates, and places crowns in-house with the computer-aided CEREC system.
We have also eliminated the uncomfortable process of getting manual impressions. We use optical impressions that do not involve gag-inducing, messy trays. These impressions are also very accurate. So, we can make your crown right the first time. We also ensure the ultimate in quality control; our crowns are shaped from a high-quality block of dental ceramic. Your new tooth looks like the “real deal” and is highly durable. We can make even the slightest adjustments in no time because we have all of these capabilities under our roof!
To experience this blend of timely technologies and timeless quality care, call us at (913) 349-9795 to schedule your visit.
