Crowns are an effective way to restore and protect damaged teeth, offering a durable solution for restoring your dental health. From the materials used to the process of placement, it’s important to understand everything you can about dental crowns so you can make an informed decision about your oral health. Here, we explore the basics of dental crowns and how they can help preserve your smile.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown is essentially a tooth-shaped “cap” that covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. Made from either porcelain, metal alloy, or ceramic, these caps fit tightly over the existing tooth and are held in place with special cement. With proper dental care and regular checkups, a crown can last for up to 15 years.
Why Might You Need a Tooth Crown?
You may need a crown if you have a large filling that needs replacing, or to protect a weak tooth from breaking. A crown can also be used to cover misshapen or discolored teeth or to restore a broken tooth. Other reasons include covering a dental implant, holding a bridge in place, or covering a tooth after a root canal treatment.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
1. Improved Strength and Durability
Crowns are an ideal choice for restoring tooth strength and durability. After a crown is placed, it reinforces the existing tooth structure, preventing further damage or decay. This can help protect against breakage or fracture and improve the overall strength of your teeth.
2. Improved Aesthetics
Crowns are available in different shades, allowing you to choose a color that best matches your natural teeth. This means you can enjoy a beautiful, natural-looking smile with improved confidence. Additionally, crowns can be used to cover stained or discolored teeth, helping to enhance the overall appearance of your smile.
3. Increased Protection
Because the crown fully covers the visible portion of an entire tooth, it helps protect against further damage or decay from bacteria or plaque buildup. Crowns are also more resistant to wear and tear than fillings, providing a durable solution for restoring your dental health over time.
4. Improved Oral Health
Crowns also provide a protective barrier from oral bacteria, helping to reduce the risk of gum disease and other issues. Additionally, crowns can help improve your ability to bite and chew food, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.
Different Types of Crowns
1. All-Metal Crowns
All-metal crowns are composed entirely of metal, usually a combination of gold alloys, nickel alloys, chromium alloys, or stainless steel. These crowns are strong and durable while also being resistant to wear and tear. However, due to their color, they may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option.
2. All-Ceramic Crowns
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are made of a single material, typically porcelain or some other type of ceramic. These crowns provide a natural appearance that closely matches the color of your natural teeth and provides an aesthetically pleasing smile. In addition, ceramic crowns are also strong and durable, making them resistant to wear and tear.
3. Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are a combination of metal and ceramic materials. They feature a metal base with porcelain fused to its surface. This type of crown offers the strength of metal while providing a natural, esthetically pleasing look that closely matches the color of your existing teeth.
4. Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns are an ideal choice for restoring and protecting primary teeth in children. They are pre-formed and ready-made, meaning they can be placed quickly and easily. Stainless steel crowns are relatively inexpensive, making them an affordable option for parents looking to restore their child’s oral health.
Other types of crowns include composite resin crowns and zirconia crowns. Each type of crown has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to speak with your dentist about which one is best for your individual needs.
The Dental Crown Procedure
#1. First Visit
The dental crown procedure typically begins with a consultation during which your dentist will discuss the best treatment options for you. During this initial appointment, your dentist will take an x-ray of the tooth that needs to be crowned and check for signs of tooth decay or other damage. This is also a good time to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure.
Next, your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay or damaged portions. Once the preparation is complete, your dentist will take a digital impression of the tooth to be used in creating your custom crown.
#2. Second Visit
During your second visit, your dentist will place a temporary crown over the prepared tooth while your permanent crown is being fabricated in a dental laboratory. This temporary crown helps protect and reinforce the tooth until the permanent crown is completed.
#3. Final Visit
During your final visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit of your permanent crown. Once it’s determined that the crown fits correctly, it will be permanently cemented into place. After this, you can enjoy a strong and beautiful smile with improved dental health!
Caring For Your Crown
Once you have had a dental crown placed it is important that you maintain proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing at least twice daily and flossing regularly in order to ensure that it remains strong and healthy for years to come. Additionally, regular visits with your dentist are necessary in order to monitor any changes in your mouth or gums that may affect the integrity of your newly installed crowns.
Restore Your Smile with Sunrise Emergency and Family Dental Care
With a team of experienced and compassionate dentists, you can have peace of mind knowing that your smile will be in safe hands. At our dental office, we use the latest technology to create custom-fitted crowns that look natural and provide maximum protection for your teeth. Contact us today to learn more about tooth crowns and how we can help restore your smile!
