Dental crowns are the last stage in root canal treatment. These permanent coverings secure your tooth and restore its form, size, shape, function, and aesthetics. Just like regular fillings, this dental procedure is quick and painless.
A dental crown is a type of restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth to provide it with additional strength and protection. Crowns are made of different types of materials, including porcelain, alloys, gold alloy, or zirconium oxide.
When You May Need a Crown.
A crown is often necessary when a tooth is severely broken, has large fillings that may break, has poor oral hygiene due to decay or cracks, or when there’s no longer any alternative to saving it. This restoration is also used to cover root canal-treated teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, sour, or pressure.
A dental crown is also used to provide long-lasting alternative treatment for teeth that are badly damaged due to excessive decay. These implants may house permanent bridges, permanent dentures, or other restorations depending on the individual case.
There are several procedures involved in getting a crown. Your dentist will begin by preparing the tooth so it can accept a customized crown made just for you. This involves filing down its surface in order to create room for the crown’s base and margin, the part of the restoration that secures it to your tooth.
After preparing your tooth, they will take an impression so they can design your crown at a dental lab. When custom designing a crown this way, your dentist will take into consideration the size, shape, shade, and texture of your natural teeth. The time it takes to get a crown can depend on which method is used for designing it.
After getting fitted for your temporary crown at the dental office, you will wear it for one month to let your gums recuperate. This is to prevent any further damage. Once your gums have fully healed, you will return to the office and get fitted for a permanent crown.
A dental crown is an excellent way of saving a tooth that has been weakened or badly damaged by decay, cracks, fractures, or excessive wear over time. It’s made out of sturdy dental materials specially designed to match the shape and color of your natural teeth. Crowns can restore a damaged tooth’s size, shape, function, and aesthetics.
Types of Crowns
Ceramic Crowns – Ceramic crowns are highly aesthetic because they are made out of porcelain, a material that mimics the appearance of your natural teeth so well, no one will be able to tell any difference.
Gold Crowns – A gold crown is made by an alloy that contains at least 10% or 14k gold. It works well with front teeth because of the material’s high durability and resistance to stains.
Metal Crowns – Metal crowns are usually made out of an alloy that contains mostly platinum, palladium, nickel, chromium, or cobalt. These types of crowns are more affordable than porcelain or metal-ceramic ones but they are less durable.
Base metal – Base metal crowns are made out of an alloy that contains mostly zinc. Although they’re extremely affordable, they’ve got a duller appearance compared to most other types of dental crowns.
How to Care for a Crown
Crowns are typically very durable but you still need to take care of them properly. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to clean and maintain your crown depending on its material.
If it’s made out of porcelain, gold, metal, or base metal alloy, avoid brushing the margin with a regular toothbrush because this can cause damage to its edge. You’ll need to use a soft-bristled brush to clean the surface of your teeth, crown, and gums instead.
If you have a base metal alloy crown, avoid drinking acidic drinks because they can wear down the material over time. You should also avoid brushing this kind of crown with regular toothpaste because it has abrasives that can damage its surface over time.
You should brush your teeth and crown at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to reduce the risk of cavities and plaque buildup. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing and make sure you floss once a day to remove any food particles in between your teeth and gums.
If your crown is made out of porcelain, gold, or metal, use a fluoride-containing mouthwash to reduce the risk of cavities and plaque buildup. If it’s made out of base metal alloy, avoid using these types of mouthwashes because they can wear down its surface over time.
What exactly happens during a tooth crown surgery?
When you get a crown, your dentist will first administer local anesthesia into the gums surrounding your tooth to numb it. They will then remove any decayed material that is on or around the tooth and they might take an impression of it for designing your crown at a dental lab.
Once they’ve prepared your tooth for receiving its new crown, they will fit it with a temporary crown. They will keep the original crown in storage until your replacement crown is ready for you to wear.
The dentist will make sure you are comfortable throughout this procedure before they start making your permanent tooth crown out of porcelain, gold, metal alloy, or base metal alloy. The final step of the surgery is to permanently attach the crown to your tooth.
At this point, they will take an impression of it and send it to a dental lab for final adjustments. They might use special instruments to give your tooth additional support during this time. Once that’s done, they will bond the replacement crown onto your tooth with dental cement. The whole process usually takes less than an hour.
What are the different benefits of getting a crown?
Crowns are beneficial because they can restore your tooth’s function and appearance. They also strengthen teeth that have been weakened by decay or damage from dental disease, accidents, or other factors. Crowns are primarily used for cosmetic purposes but they’re highly effective in preventing dental decay.
Can my dentist use the same crown for every tooth that needs one?
When receiving a dental crown, your dentist might use an all-porcelain one, porcelain-fused-to-metal alloy, metal alloy, or base metal alloy depending on its condition and your preference. They will only use the latter when they believe the tooth requires additional support.
They might also need to use a different type of crown depending on its location in your mouth. For instance, they’ll most likely use an all-porcelain crown when attaching it to the front teeth because their appearance is important. With molars, your dentist will typically use porcelain-fused-to-metal alloy or metal alloy crowns. They will only use an all-porcelain one for those that have been damaged because of a genetic condition like amelogenesis imperfecta.
CONCLUSION
Regular dentist visits can help to identify any potential problems in your mouth early on before they become a bigger issue. Dentists will be able to educate you on how to care for your teeth and gums better, which can ultimately prevent the development of dental-related problems. Our Kitchener Dental clinic specializes in providing dental x-rays, dental root canal, Repair of Broken Teeth, Fillings, Crowns & Dentures, and more to the Kitchener area. Many dental problems need to be addressed immediately to prevent the condition from worsening, which is why an emergency dental clinic can be a welcome addition to your regular dental care service. Our mission is to serve you as quickly as possible, to avoid any pain or increase in damage.
DISCLAIMER: The advice offered is intended to be informational only and generic in nature. It is in no way offering a definitive diagnosis or specific treatment recommendations for your particular situation. Any advice offered is no substitute for proper evaluation and care by a qualified dentist.