According to the Ameican College of Prosthodontists, crowns are the most common restorative procedure. Concealing unattractive teeth, just as your Jericho and Burlington, VT, dentists, Drs. Paul Dunkling and Greg Penney.

What are crowns used for?

• They're used to conceal unattractive teeth that may be discolored, misshaped, or in need of more support
• Dentists file down damaged teeth with chips and cracks are to fit under the dental crown
• Crowns are used to conceal restorative procedures, like dental implants and root canals
• They can also conceal gaps in your smile if your Jericho and Burlington dentists install a bridge above your gumline.

Types of Crowns

Crowns, also known as caps, are sometimes confused with veneers, although they are completely different. Veneers are placed on the surface of your teeth. Veneers also serve a purely aesthetic purpose. Crowns have a structural function, which is why they come in a variety of materials: porcelain crowns, also known as dental ceramics or porcelain-fused-to-metal, which has a metal interior and a porcelain exterior.

Taking Care of your Crowns

Crowns don't require special care, but there are a few steps you can take to help you maintain a strong and bright smile:

• You need to brush twice a day for a duration of 2 minutes each time and floss at least once a day. A healthy oral regimen will reduce the buildup of tartar.
• Speaking of tartar, which is the hardening of plaque, you should avoid sugar-filled foods and opt for a healthier diet.
• Avoid chewing tobacco and smoking, since they only cause the deterioration of your teeth.

To schedule an appointment with your Jericho and Burlington, VT, dentists, Drs. Paul Dunkling and Greg Penney anything in regards to dental crowns, just call (802) 863-3479 for the Burlington office and (802) 899-3973 for the Jericho office. Don't hesitate to call. Your smile is a priority!

A duller smile or missing teeth don't have to be unavoidable consequences of aging. Burlington and Jericho, VT, dentists Dr. Paul Dunkling and Dr. Greg Penney of Dunkling and Penney Dentistry explain how you can transform your smile with dental implants and veneers.

Dental implants restore missing teeth

Missing teeth don't just affect your smile now, but can continue to affect your appearance and oral health for years. Missing tooth roots cause your jawbone to recede. If the bone becomes weak enough, some of your teeth may loosen and your facial muscles may begin to droop, enhancing the effects of aging. Losing a tooth can also increase your risk of cavities if your remaining teeth begin to shift. Shifting teeth often overlap and trap cavity-causing plaque in the overlapping sections. Dental implants prevent jawbone recession and shifting teeth.

Dental implants rebuild missing teeth starting from the roots. Implants are actually tiny titanium posts that are placed in openings made in your jawbone. Once the implants are in place, they slowly begin to bond to your jawbone, a process that normally takes about three to six months. Implants replace your tooth roots, while an artificial teeth called crowns are used to replace the portion of teeth visible above the gumline. When the two pieces are joined together, you'll have a replacement tooth that's just as strong as the one you lost.

Veneers transform your smile

Sometimes the best way to address a problem is to conceal if from view. Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain that hide many types of tooth flaws. After a small amount of tooth enamel is removed, the veneers are cemented to your teeth in our Burlington or Jericho office. Caring for veneers is easy and only requires flossing and brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste.

Veneers are very resistant to stains, which makes them an excellent alternative to teeth whitening treatments. If you use veneers for this purpose, you can even pick the ideal shade of white for your smile. In addition to teeth whitening, veneers are used to cover discolorations, cracks, bumps, chips and gaps between teeth. They also provide a simple way to change the shape or length of a tooth.

Ready for a big change in your smile? Make an appointment with dentists Drs. Paul Dunkling and Greg Penney of Dunkling and Penney Dentistry by calling (802) 863-3479 for the Burlington, VT, office or (802) 899-3973 for the Jericho, VT, office.

Most people (unless they're incredibly lucky) will undergo at least one (usually more) restorative dental procedures at some point in time. From filling cavities to whitening stained and discolored teeth, restorative dental treatments like porcelain veneers, crowns and dental implants help to preserve oral health, and restore function and the cosmetic appearance of damaged teeth. The dentists at Dunkling & Penney Dentistry in Burlington and Jericho, VT offer comprehensive preventive and restorative dental services to help prevent the onset of tooth decay and gum disease, and to repair the damage if and when it occurs.

Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry in Burlington and Jericho

Accidents, sports injuries, normal wear and tear over time and poor oral hygiene are typically the main causes of dental trauma and decay. Even with modern technology and impressive advancements in dental procedures, the best medicine and recipe for a healthy, beautiful smile remains good old-fashioned prevention. Dentists recommend a thorough oral hygiene routine at home (don't forget the floss) and regular checks ups and professional cleanings, generally every six months.

But accidents and the effects of time and aging happen, even with the best precautions and dental care. The most common restorative dental procedures are:

Dental Implants - a complete tooth restoration consisting of a titanium biocompatible implant that replaces the root of the missing tooth, which fuses with the surrounding bone tissue in the gums. Once the implant heals, the cosmetic crown is attached to complete the restoration. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or an entire set of dentures.

Porcelain Veneers - made of a razor thin layer of composite resin, which is bonded to the surface of the teeth, veneers are used to resize, reshape and whiten teeth.

Crowns and Bridges - a cap that is placed over a severely decayed or broken tooth to restore the function and cosmetic appearance, and to strengthen the remaining healthy portion of the tooth. Crowns can also replace missing teeth as part of a bridge. Caps are placed over the teeth on either side of the missing tooth (known as abutment teeth) to hold the replacement crown in place.

Bonding - similar to veneers, cosmetic bonding is used to correct minor cosmetic imperfections, to seal teeth after root canals and as an alternative to silver dental fillings.

Find a Dentist in Burlington and Jericho

Whether you are suffering from tooth loss or cosmetic damage to your teeth, there is a restorative dental procedure that is right for you. For more information, contact Dunkling & Penney Dentistry to schedule an appointment in Burlington or Jericho, VT today.

Have you ever considered replacing missing teeth with dental implants? The increasingly popular tooth replacement option offers anideal way to restore lost teeth permanently. Dr. Paul Dunkling and Dr. Greg Penney, your Burlington and Jericho, VT, dentists at Dunkling and Penney Dentistry, share several ways that dental implants can help your smile.

Dental implants improve the appearance of your smile

A lost tooth creates a gap in your smile that's impossible to hide in many cases. Implants restore symmetry to your smile and can help you feel proud of your appearance again. A dental implant consists of a crown placed on top of a titanium implant. Over the course of several months, the implant bonds to your jawbone and eventually becomes strong enough to serve as a replacement for your missing roots.

Implants prevent bone loss

Facial sagging is an unfortunate fact of life for some people who have lost teeth. The problem occurs when the jawbone no longer receives stimulation from tooth roots. Without that stimulation, the bone eventually begins to weaken and decreases in depth, which can, in turn, affect the muscles in your lower face. Stimulation from implants prevents bone loss and sagging.

Dental implants restore normal function

If you've lost a tooth, you've probably noticed that eating has become more difficult. Pieces of food become trapped in the gap in your smile no matter how carefully you chew. The problem can be particularly annoying when you eat sticky or chewy foods. Chewing and biting may also be a challenge, depending on the location of your lost tooth. After you receive your implant, you'll be able to enjoy your favorite foods without worry again.

Implants can help you keep your smile healthy

Gaps are not a normal part of a healthy smile. After a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth try to close the space by drifting toward it. As the teeth drift, they begin to overlap, which can make removing plaque difficult. If plaque remains on your teeth long enough, cavities can occur. Your Burlington and Jericho, VT, dentists recommend replacing your missing tooth with an implant that will prevent the drift and keep your teeth straight and easy to clean.

Keep your smile strong and healthy with dental implants! Call Drs. Dunkling and Penney, your Burlington and Jericho, VT, dentists at Dunkling and Penney Dentistry to schedule an appointment

Living with discolored, broken and missing teeth can have a profound effect on a person's quality of life. Depending on the extent of the damage, damaged teeth can also interfere with nutrition, and jeopardize overall health. If you are unhappy with how your smile looks, or have trouble eating because of broken or missing teeth, a set of crowns or a bridge may be a good option for you.

Smile Restoration in Burlington and Jericho

The dentists at Burlington and Jericho, VT based Dunkling & Penney Dentistry recommend porcelain crowns and bridgework to restore large portions of damaged, decayed, and misshaped teeth. While there have been many new developments and improvements in how dentists treat cosmetic and oral health problems, crowns and bridges remain one of the most common options for repairing a number of problems, due to their effectiveness, versatility and affordability. A good crown can replicate the look and feel of a natural tooth, and last for an average of ten years, often longer.

Also known as caps, because they fit over an existing tooth, dental crowns are a staple of general and cosmetic dentistry. When a healthy tooth develops a cavity, a dental filling is the standard treatment. However, if the cavity is too large and the amount of decay is too advanced to be repaired with a filling, a crown can save the tooth from extraction. Crowns can also be used to repair uneven, misshaped teeth and severe spacing.

Crowns and bridges are an affordable, minimally invasive solution to many dental problems. If you have been putting off treatment, a set of crowns may be the perfect solution for you.

Find a Dentist in Burlington and Jericho

For more information on how a set of crowns and bridges can help to improve your smile and oral health, contact Dunkling & Penney Dentistry by calling (802) 899-3973 to schedule an appointment in Jericho today.