Dental crowns are commonly used in dentistry today. They are a tooth-shaped cap that covers the whole of an existing tooth. They are used to cover broken or decayed teeth to prevent further damage and restore your bite. They are also often used after a root canal to bring the tooth back to its former size and strength.
If you and your dentist decide crowns are the best choice for you, they will examine the tooth closely and take x-rays to reveal its health below the gum. Decay will be removed, and the tooth may need to be reshaped to ensure a crown can cover the whole thing and do its job preventing damage and infection. Next, an impression of the tooth will be taken and sent to a lab which will create a crown that fits the space perfectly.
Depending on the wait time for creating your new crown, your dentist is likely to fit a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Once your permanent crown is ready, you’ll come back in and your dentist will remove the temporary crown, cement in the permanent one, and make sure you’re comfortable with a good bite. You’ll need to keep up with regular dentist appointments to make sure your crown is comfortable and not damaged but you’re likely to have another appointment soon after the fitting to ensure it’s in the right place once you’ve been eating and drinking normally.
Different Types of Dental Crowns
Crowns are typically made of porcelain or metal, and the two can be combined to merge strength and looks. There are now crowns made of ceramics or zirconia. These are strong and many people prefer the look of them, but they do cost more due to the material cost. If there are missing teeth in the mouth, two crowns can be used to support a dental bridge of an artificial tooth in between the crowns. This gives the artificial tooth a solid base and is much stronger than removable dentures.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
As with all cosmetic dentistry treatments, dental crowns have pros and cons and considering them can help you make an informed decision on your procedure. If you’re looking into crowns to replace front teeth in particular, they’re a solid option as the porcelain can be coloured to match your other teeth helping the crown look natural. Porcelain also reflects light in the same way as teeth, so it won’t stand out.
Crowns can help preserve the tooth they’re on top of, delaying the need for implants or dentures. They also help keep the normal shape of your mouth so you can eat and speak as you usually do. The recovery time for crowns is short and pain is minimal so having crowns fitted won’t get in the way of your routine too much.
Temporary crowns can be uncomfortable but as labs get faster, it’s unlikely you’ll have the temporary one in for long. They don’t last forever and will need replacing but this is true of most cosmetic interventions, however many patients we see still have crowns that were placed 40+ years ago. The key to this is maintaining good oral hygiene and a low-sugar diet plus visiting your dentist every 6 months for your examination and clean. If you’re considering crowns or other treatments, find out more about Goldfields Family Dental here.