Etown Dental Blog

Dental crowns have been used in dentistry for over 2000 years. There is evidence that the Etruscans experimented with crowns on teeth using ivory and bone as early as 700 B.C. By 200 A.D., they began using gold crowns to construct artificial teeth. Ancient Egyptians fashioned tooth replacements out of seashells and then hammered them into their gums (Oral sedation, anyone?).

Porcelain crowns were first used in the 1800s. With the refining of metal casting methods in the 1900s, crown dentistry advanced significantly.

Today, crowns are strong, comfortable and are made to match your surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns (also called caps) cover the entire visible portion of the tooth and are cemented in place. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been worn down or weakened by decay or injury. Crowns are also used to restore the original shape of a tooth or solely to improve the appearance of a tooth.

The most common types of crowns are:

• All-porcelain (ceramic)
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

The material used is determined by several factors. If you suspect you need a crown, want to replace an old crown, or want to learn about other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call Dentist Dr. Ed White. Elizabethtown Dental Associates is located at 100 Continental Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. We have been serving clients in the Elizabethtown area for several years. We can recommend the best tooth restoration or cosmetic dentistry option for you.

General dentists in the Elizabethtown area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your Elizabethtown general dentist will refer you to a local Leola specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team.

Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Leola area:

Endodontists
Endodontists in Elizabethtown specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving the root and surrounding parts of the tooth.

Periodontists
Periodontists practicing in the Elizabethtown area treat the conditions affecting gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. If you have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist in Elizabethtown.

Prosthodontists
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing lost teeth for Elizabethtown patients is called ‘restorative dentistry’. Prosthodontists have advanced training in procedures involving crowns, dental implants, bridges, veneers, inlays, and partial or complete dentures.

Pediatric Dentists
Infants, young children and teenagers in the Elizabethtown area have different dental needs than adults. Pediatric Dentists undergo additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the youngest population in Elizabethtown.

Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgeons serving the Elizabethtown area perform surgical procedures involving the teeth, mouth and jaw. These include dental implants, surgery to repair damage due to injury, tumor surgery, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about these specialties, or have a concern regarding your oral health, please visit us at Elizabethtown Dental Associates. You will find us at 100 Continental Drive in Elizabethtown Pennsylvania 17022. Please give us a call at 717-689-2055.

-Dr. Ed White, DDS

When my clients ask me about Elizabethtown tooth restoration, I usually tell them about fixed (or ‘traditional’) dental bridges or tooth implants. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth which replaces a missing tooth. The false tooth (called a ‘pontic’) is fused to porcelain crowns on either side of the missing tooth.

Tooth replacement has been a highly requested procedure at my Elizabethtown dental practice. Patients have expressed concern about tooth replacement for many years. Most of my questions have to do with the strength of the tooth replacement, and durability.

Dental implants are also popular concern for my Leola tooth replacement patients. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

After it has bonded with the bone (it usually takes three to six months), a smaller post is attached. This post extends above the gum line. The artificial tooth (crown) is then attached. The entire process takes several months, but consistently yields terrific results for Elizabethtown tooth restoration patients. My Pennsylvania cosmetic dentistry patients appreciate the fact that I stay up to date on the latest advancements in tooth replacement procedures.

Both smile restoration options preserve or restore facial contour and allow you to talk and eat normally. Tooth replacements prevent adjoining teeth from gradually shifting and can help correct bite problems, too. Tooth implants and dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth. Many area dental patients have been treated successfully with these tooth restoration alternatives.

Call Elizabethtown Dental Associates and ask for Dr. Ed White to schedule an evaluation for Pennsylvania tooth restoration. You can schedule your tooth restoration by calling us at 717-689-2055.