Crowns for Cosmetic Purposes – Why This Might not be the Best Choice for Patients in the Bradenton, FL, Area

Crowns Bradenton FLCrowns serve to encase the visible portion of teeth and can impart a look that is nearly flawless. In particular, porcelain crowns, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-ceramic options, can perfect the cosmetic appearance of a tooth. As such, prospective patients occasionally ask the dentists at Florida Dental Centers near Bradenton, Florida, whether crowns can be used for the sole purpose of improving the look of otherwise healthy and structurally sound teeth.

A recommendation to place a crown is sometimes based solely on a dentist’s professional judgment rather than clear-cut clinical needs. Nevertheless, the dentists at Florida Dental Centers near Bradenton, FL, generally do not recommend crowns for purely aesthetic purposes. Here’s why:

  • Crowns are intended to strengthen and reinforce teeth that have become structurally compromised due to breakage or decay. In order to provide sufficient strength, a crown must have a certain thickness. To accommodate the added thickness of a crown and ensure its stability, a tooth must be trimmed and reshaped. Because this procedure is somewhat aggressive, it should not be performed without reasonable justification.
  • Good aesthetic results can often be achieved through much more conservative approaches than crowns, such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and professional or at-home teeth whitening.
  • A crown’s initial “ideal” look cannot be expected to last forever. For example, gum recession that occurs naturally over time can expose the dark edges of porcelain-fused to metal crowns. Additionally, the adjacent teeth can become stained, rendering the crown a less-than-perfect color match. Even under the best circumstances, crowns can be reasonably expected to last between five and 15 years.

For further information on how to enhance your smile, contact Florida Dental Centers today. Since 1981, we have been proudly offering patients throughout the Bradenton, FL, community comprehensive dentistry – including crowns, emergency dental treatment, preventive care, teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, oral surgery, gum disease treatment, implants, root canals, bridges, dentures, and more – all within our friendly, privately owned practice. No insurance? No problem. Our goal is to provide affordable dentistry with no hidden costs, so you can count on us to provide you with an upfront estimate for any procedures you require.