Metal-Free Dental Restorations – Arnold, MO
Complete Smile Repair that Looks & Feels Flawless
Say your car has hail damage. Your body shop offers you two options. In the first, they will remove the dent, but they won’t repaint the damaged areas. The second option includes a paint touchup that will ensure no one ever knows there was a dent. Both options technically fix the problem, but most people would prefer the second option. When it comes to dental restorations at JL Dental, we always encourage our patients to invest in treatment materials that match their smiles, recreating a flawless, healthy smile in function and appearance. To restore both the form and function of your damaged or decayed smile, our team uses the most innovative metal-free, tooth-colored dental restoration materials. If you want to learn more about our restorative and cosmetic dentistry options, call our dental office in Arnold, MO to schedule a treatment consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are one of our most commonly used restorations. They are crafted to fit over remaining healthy tooth structures to replace the lost part of the tooth and protect remaining dentition. Once in place, a tooth-colored dental crown will blend seamlessly into your smile.
Why Choose Metal-Free Crowns?
The cosmetic dental benefits are the most obvious reasons to choose a metal-free dental crown, but there are other reasons we recommend these materials. Those patients who have skin allergies or sensitivities to metals can struggle with irritation cause by metal or porcelain fused to metal restorations. Additionally, metal restorations can expand and contract at much different rates compared with tooth enamel, which leads to a potential risk for decay or damage down the road. A fully metal-free restoration will much more closely mimic your healthy teeth, ensuring your smile looks, feels, and functions flawlessly for years to come.
What is the Metal-Free Restoration Process?
Whether you’re receiving a metal-free dental crown, bridge, inlay, or onlay, the treatment is typically completed in two trips to our dental office. At your first appointment, we prepare the tooth or teeth for repair. This means removing any damaged tissue, and in most cases, we’ll smooth down a small amount of tooth enamel to ensure your restoration fits into the bite without causing any snugness or misalignment. Then, we take impressions of the prepared tooth that are sent to our lab where your restoration will be crafted. Finally, we place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. When we receive the custom restoration from our lab, you’ll come in for the second appointment. This trip is typically much shorter. We simply exchange the temporary for your quality, custom dental crown, bridge, or other restoration. Then, you leave with a flawless smile.
Do I Need to Care for My Smile Differently?
You can continue with your daily tooth brushing and flossing routine after we’ve placed the restoration. We may encourage you to shift to a less abrasive toothbrush, toothpaste, or floss, but otherwise, keep brushing at least twice daily and flossing once a day. You should also take care to wear protective mouthguards during athletic competition or if you suffer from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).