5636 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77056
Call Us Today (713) 621-5141
When you develop a cavity, Dr. Alani will remove the decay and place a filling that matches your tooth's color. If your tooth has extensive decay or a fracture, the dentist may recommend placing a white crown. Designed to restore strength, function, and appearance, a porcelain crown fits snugly over the remaining, healthy tooth structure.
As part of our dedication to giving our Houston-area patients the best care possible, we offer what we call “unbreakable crowns.” We call them that because they’re quite simply the strongest crowns available. Made from the same kind of high-strength ceramic material that the aerospace industry uses, they’re excellent for restoring back teeth.
Another reason for the effectiveness of unbreakable crowns, which are made from “ceramic steel,” is that they have a very precise fit. As a result, where normal ceramic restorations are typically weak, unbreakable crowns are much sturdier. The result is a long-lasting Houston ceramic restoration that looks natural, is incredibly functional, and eliminates the risk of allergic reactions.
If you have a tooth in need of restorative help, let Dr. Alani’s Houston dental office be your source of unbreakable crowns.
Onlays, often called partial crowns, offer a conservative alternative to a full crown in some situations. Unlike traditional porcelain crowns, onlays, end half way up the tooth, which prevents plaque formation at the margin of the tooth and gum. Dr. Alani will evaluate your case to determine whether a full ceramic crown or onlay will offer the best restoration for your smile.
For more durable and aesthetically pleasing results, Dr. Alani offers e.max crowns and onlays. E.max restorations are known for their attractive appearance and their strength. With your e.max restoration in place, you can look forward to longer lasting results that blend in with your natural teeth by mimicking the translucent color of natural enamel.
Expert care for extraordinary smiles. Call our Houston dental office to schedule a checkup, consultation, or second opinion visit with Dr. Alani. Located near the Galleria, we serve patients from the greater Houston area with top-notch dentistry.
Whether you have a cavity, dental injury, or cosmetic imperfections that make it difficult to show your smile, natural-looking dental crowns from Dr. Alani may be the perfect solution for your dental concerns. Of course, we understand if you have questions about treatment, especially if you’ve never received a dental crown before. Take a moment to review some of the most common questions we’ve heard below – you just may find an answer ahead of your appointment!
Technically dental crowns are not permanent, but they offer a long-term solution for damaged teeth. While it can depend on the type of crown you choose, they can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years or longer based on how well you perform your at-home oral care. Since we need to reshape your tooth in order to place the crown, the process is irreversible. Enamel cannot grow back, which means your natural tooth will need a crown from now on afterwards. Keep in mind that crowns prevent future damage to your already vulnerable tooth. This is better than allowing your tooth to break down further, increasing the risk that you’ll need it extracted.
It’s impossible for a crown to develop cavities because it is made from inorganic material. However, the natural tooth underneath the crown is still susceptible to cavities, despite being covered by a restoration. For that reason, you’ll need to practice daily brushing and flossing to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup around the gum line where the tooth meets the crown. You’ll also need to stay on top of routine exams and cleanings so we can examine your tooth and remove any calcified plaque along the way.
When placed by a dentist, especially someone as experienced as Dr. Alani, you can expect your crown to be 100% safe. You don’t have to worry about toxic materials like mercury; instead, our crowns contain long-lasting dental ceramic. If you’ve experienced any allergies to dental materials before, please let us know. We can recommend alternatives from there if you have any concerns. In very rare cases, patients can have an allergic reaction to dental porcelain. Following the placement of the crown, please give us a call if you notice any gum irritation, redness, or swelling near your dental crown.
Regardless of the material used to create your crown, your restoration will not respond to any whitening treatment. While enamel contains tiny pores that can absorb bleaching gels and break apart stains, this is not the case for dental restorations like crowns. That means your crown will remain the same color following a whitening treatment. Metal-free crowns are designed to mimic surrounding teeth as closely as possible, which means if you want to avoid the risk of your natural teeth looking discolored you should whiten your teeth ahead of your crown placement. This will ensure your permanent restoration blends in properly with your adjacent teeth.
