Crowns are a restorative dental treatment used to protect, strengthen, and restore a damaged or weakened tooth. They can be recommended after a large filling, root canal treatment, significant wear, or a fracture that compromises the tooth’s structure. Here’s what you should know about dental crowns:
Deciding on Crowns
Dentists recommend crowns in situations where other treatments, such as fillings, are not sufficient. Here are some scenarios where a dental crown is often the recommended course of action:
- Protecting a weak tooth: A tooth weakened by decay may need a crown to hold it together and prevent it from breaking.
- Restoring a broken tooth: If a tooth is already broken or severely worn down, a crown can restore it to its original shape and function.
- Supporting a large filling: When there is insufficient tooth structure to support a large filling, a crown provides the necessary support.
- Holding a dental bridge: Crowns serve as anchors for dental bridges, which replace missing teeth.
- Covering a dental implant: A crown is the visible part of the tooth that is attached to a dental implant.
- Following a root canal: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy are often more brittle, so a crown is placed to protect the tooth from fracturing.
Crowns are not always the right solution; if a tooth has only minor decay, a simple filling is usually sufficient. Your dentist will evaluate the extent of the damage before recommending a crown restoration.
Choosing the Right Type
There are several materials used to make dental crowns. The choice of material depends on the location of the tooth, gum tissue health, your bite, and cosmetic preferences. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) crowns can be color-matched to your adjacent teeth, but the opposing teeth may experience more wear. The porcelain portion can also chip or break off, and the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line.
All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns provide the best natural color match among crown types. They are also a good choice for people with metal allergies, but they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth. Choosing the right material requires a discussion with your dentist.
Knowing What To Expect
Getting dental crowns usually requires two visits to the dentist. The first visit involves examining and preparing the tooth, and the second visit involves placing the permanent crown. Here is the typical sequence of events:
- Examination and preparation: The dentist examines the tooth’s roots and the surrounding bone; if there is extensive decay or risk of infection, a root canal may be performed first.
- Anesthesia and filing: The dentist numbs the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, and the tooth receiving the crown is filed down along the chewing surface and sides.
- Making an impression: After reshaping the tooth, the dentist takes an impression using paste or a digital scanner.
- Temporary crown placement: The dentist makes a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
- Permanent crown placement: At the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and permanently cements the new crown in place.
Once the procedure is complete, you may experience some sensitivity. This is normal and usually subsides within a few weeks.
Schedule Your Dental Crowns Consultation
Dental crowns provide a reliable and long-lasting solution for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. They offer significant protection, enhance dental function, and improve the aesthetics of your smile. Proper care and maintenance, such as avoiding harmful habits and regular dental check-ups, are key to promoting the longevity of your crown. If you have a broken or decayed tooth, contact a qualified dentist near you to schedule your dental crowns consultation today.
