If you have a damaged tooth one thing the dentist may suggest is putting a dental crown over the tooth. Below is information on what dental crowns are, the different types available, and how the process works.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a cap the dentist places over the damaged tooth. This crown will completely cover the tooth to provide protection when eating, drinking, etc. Dental crowns generally last for a few years before you have to have them replaced. The dentist can give you much more information about this.
Once the dental crown is placed over the tooth and you are completely healed, you take care of your teeth as you normally do when it comes to brushing and flossing. And you can eat normally as well.
Dental Crowns Materials
There are different materials that dental crowns can be made of. Metal is often used, which may be nickel, gold, chromium, and palladium. Metal is durable and will last you a long time. They hold up well to chewing and biting. The only drawback is the color of the metal, which may not be a problem if the damaged tooth is one of your back teeth where it is not seen.
Dental crowns can also be made of porcelain. These crowns can be matched to the same color as your teeth in the lab, so the crown is not noticeable. Porcelain will not last as long as metal as it will eventually start to chip and break
Dental Crown Procedure
When the dentist determines a dental crown is best to repair a damaged tooth, they first file down the damaged tooth to make room for the dental crown. How much the dentist files away from your teeth depends on how large the dental crown is. If you choose a metal dental crown, they are thinner when compared to porcelain.
When they finish this, they make an impression of the tooth using a special type of putty. This is sent to the lab, so they know the right size and shape of your dental crown. The dentist will place a temporary crown over the tooth when waiting for the dental crown to come back from the lab. This temporary crown can come off, so you have to be careful when eating and brushing your teeth.
When the dentist receives your new crown, they place it over your tooth. They may first use an anesthetic to numb your tooth. Once the new crown is in place the dentist uses cement to secure it.
Your dentist can explain this procedure to you in much more detail.
Share17 February 2023
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.