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Although permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, it's easy to let them go. Not brushing is one way to surrender your teeth to decay; skipping regular dental visits is another. Truth is there are several things that can make the health of your teeth go awry -- which is why dental crowns are such a common dental treatment. Given how many people have dental crowns of their own, it's easy to see why you'd want to find out what they're all about.
A dental crown is one of the most effective dental solutions for covering a tooth to restore its shape, size and strength, or to improve its appearance. Your dentist might recommend a dental crown to:
- Cover discolored teeth or dental implants
- Protect a tooth from tooth decay
- Restore a broken tooth
- Hold a dental bridge in place
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Cover, Protect, Restore
Preparing a tooth for a dental crown usually involves two separate visits. Dental crowns can be prepared and placed in a single visit if your dentist uses a dental tool such as CEREC®. During the first visit, your dentist will take an X-ray to examine the extent of decay or damage. If a root canal isn't necessary prior to placing the dental crown, your dentist will:
- File the chewing surface, sides of the tooth and surrounding teeth.
- Take an impression of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth.
- Place a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown. Your dentist will check the fit and color of the permanent crown, then cement it in place. Dental crowns are made from a variety of dental materials, including:
- Metal (gold, nickel or chromium)
- Porcelain fused to metal
- All porcelain or all ceramic
- Resin (durable plastic)
Computer imaging for crowns makes it possible for you to get a sneak peak at how a dental crown will look before undergoing treatment. This will help you compare your options. The kind of dental crown you ultimately wind up with depends on what your dentist recommends and which teeth need crowns. Keep in mind that a metal crown requires less tooth structure to be removed, but is less attractive than its porcelain cousin. Alternatively, porcelain, though less noticeable, may not last as long as metal or resin crowns.
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Caring for Your Crown
Dental crowns don't keep tooth decay at bay. You still need to brush regularly, eat a well-balanced diet and visit the dentist every six months. Avoiding certain habits such as opening packages with your mouth, teeth grinding and chewing ice can also help prevent dental crowns from wearing out prematurely. If you follow these recommendations, your shiny new dental crowns can last 5 to 15 years.
Remember, while learning about dental crowns is a good place to start, the best way to get on the right track toward restoring your teeth visit your dentist. If you need to find a dentist in your area, be sure to call us at 1-866-970-9853.
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