A crown is a restorative dental procedure that caps or covers a tooth. Crowns are used to improve the appearance of a tooth, protect it from further damage, or hold together parts of a cracked tooth. This article will discuss the advantages of dental crowns and how they can improve your teeth’s health.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are dental restoration procedures in which natural teeth, weakened by decay, are covered with a cap-like dental laboratory fabricated dental crown. A dental crown is designed to look and feel like a normal tooth and provide the necessary strength to protect weak teeth. In many cases, dental bridges can be secured to dental crowns, fusing together one or more artificial teeth as part of treatment to bridge gaps due to missing teeth. Whether being used as part of root canal treatment or as support for a dental bridge, dental crowns are an essential piece in maintaining oral health and function.
What are the different types of crowns?
There are many different types of crowns available, each with its own set of disadvantages and advantages. The type of crown you need depends on a variety of factors, including the condition of your existing natural tooth, the amount of available space in your mouth, and your budget.
To ensure you select the right type of crown for your needs, let’s take a look at all the various options available today.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM)
These crowns use a combination of porcelain fused over metal. The metal provides extra strength, while the porcelain gives it a more natural appearance. PFM crowns are durable and strong, making them an ideal choice for molars or other areas where you need extra strength. They are also less expensive than all-porcelain crowns, making them an attractive option for those who want a quality product at an affordable price.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are becoming increasingly popular due to their natural look and feel. These crowns can be matched exactly to your natural teeth shade because they don’t contain any metal beneath the porcelain layer. This makes them an excellent choice for front teeth, where aesthetics are important. However, these types of crowns aren’t as strong as PFM’s and may not be suitable for molars or back teeth that experience a lot of wear and tear from chewing food.
Gold alloy crowns
Gold alloy crowns have been around since the 1970s but have remained popular because they provide superior strength compared to other options like porcelain or ceramics. Gold alloy is also very durable, so it can last up to 15 years before needing replacement. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing material, however, so it is best used in areas where aesthetics aren’t as important, such as back molars or premolar teeth, that don’t show when you smile.
What is the dental crown procedure like?
The dental crown procedure consists of various steps:
Step One: Preparing for your procedure
Before your procedure begins, your dentist will take X-rays of your mouth to better assess the condition of your teeth and make sure that a dental crown is necessary. You can also discuss any questions or concerns with your dentist before beginning treatment. Once it has been determined that a dental crown is necessary, your dentist will begin preparing your tooth by removing any decay or broken parts. Then they will reshape it so that it’s ready to receive the new crown.
Step Two: Taking impressions
Once your tooth has been prepared, impressions of it and surrounding teeth need to be taken and sent off to a lab where technicians will use them as a mould to create your custom-made dental crown.
You may be given temporary or permanent material at this stage if necessary. This allows you to eat while waiting for the final product from the lab. It may take up to three weeks to receive your permanent crown from the lab.
Step Three: Fitting your permanent crown
When you come back for follow-up care after receiving your permanent crown from the lab, your dentist will check its fit and colour-match it with adjacent teeth if necessary. Once everything looks good, they’ll bond the new crown over your prepared tooth using special cement or adhesives. Finally, they will polish it and make any necessary adjustments for comfort and fit prior to sending you home with detailed instructions about caring for it in future visits. The entire process typically takes two appointments over several weeks; however, Killara Dental offers same-day services with CEREC technology which shortens this time period dramatically!
What problems can a dental crown fix?
Dental crowns are used to fix a variety of problems. These include broken or cracked teeth, badly worn down teeth, large cavities, misshaped or discoloured teeth, and even support a dental bridge. If you have any of these issues with your teeth, then you may benefit from getting a crown.
A crown can also be used to protect weak or damaged teeth from further harm. For example, if you have an area of decay on one side of your tooth, that’s too large to fill with a regular filling material; then the entire area may need to be covered up with a crown to prevent further damage or infection. This type of protection is especially important if the affected tooth is already weak due to age or disease.
Who is a good candidate for crowns?
The best candidates for crowns are those with damaged or broken teeth that need to be restored to their original shape and function. This could be due to decay, fractures, large fillings, or any other kind of damage that affects the way your tooth looks or functions. Additionally, tooth crowns can be used to cover up severely discoloured teeth that cannot otherwise be whitened. In addition, dental implants may also require crowns in order to complete the restoration process.
What are the benefits of crowns?
Let’s explore the different benefits of getting a crown and how it can help protect your teeth.
Protection from further damage
If you have a weak or broken tooth that is in danger of further damage or decay, a crown can provide protection by encasing the entire visible portion of the tooth. The crown also reinforces the natural structure of the remaining part of the tooth and prevents it from breaking down further. This helps to avoid more serious dental procedures, such as root canal treatment or dental implants.
In some cases, a crown may even prevent infection due to exposed nerve endings in injured teeth.
Improved aesthetics
Crowns are often used to improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or discoloured due to trauma or age-related wear and tear. If you want to enhance your smile without resorting to veneers or other more invasive cosmetic treatments, then getting a crown may be a good option for you. Crowns come in various colours and textures so they can blend in with your existing teeth for an overall improved aesthetic look.
Restoration of functionality
Crowns also restore functionality to teeth that have been compromised due to injury or decay. They provide strength and stability so that you can eat normally again without worrying about further damage being done to your tooth. They also reduce pain caused by cracked or broken teeth by providing additional cushioning against biting pressure when eating hard foods such as nuts or apples.
How long do crowns last?
With proper care and maintenance, porcelain crowns will remain in pristine condition for up to 15 years! The ceramic materials used to construct your crown are designed to be just as strong and resilient as your natural enamel. As such, you can rest assured that this dental restoration solution is built with longevity in mind – giving you peace of mind knowing it will last an incredibly long time!
Do dental crowns hurt?
No, getting a dental crown should not hurt. Your dentist will numb the area before beginning the procedure to make sure that you don’t feel any discomfort. You may experience some pressure during the fitting of your crown, but it should never be painful. If, at any point during the procedure, you are feeling significant pain, let your dentist know right away so that they can adjust the anaesthesia.
How to care for your dental crowns?
If you have just had a dental crown placed, then congratulations on taking the first step to restoring your oral health and beauty. But simply getting a dental crown is only the beginning of your journey. To make sure that it lasts a long time and serves its purpose, proper care must be taken. Here are a few valuable tips to help you care for your dental crowns.
Brush and floss regularly
It is important to maintain regular brushing and flossing habits even with a dental crown in place. The same amount of time should be spent as if you did not have the crown in place—so brush twice daily for two minutes each time and floss once per day. Don’t forget to use fluoride toothpaste, as this will help strengthen your teeth and gums, including those under the crown. Make sure to brush gently since too much pressure can damage the crown or cause discomfort.
To ensure your dental crown remains firmly in place and functions correctly with the rest of your mouth, it is essential to schedule a checkup every six months with your dentist.
Visit your dentist regularly
During these visits, you will also get advice on how best to take care of your other teeth while also caring for the crowned one, so they all look great together.
Additionally, let them know if something doesn’t feel right so that any issues can be identified early on before they become bigger problems down the road.
Avoid chewing hard foods or objects
Chewing hard foods or objects can put excess stress on the dental crown, which could potentially crack or break it off completely from the underlying tooth structure. You should avoid chewing ice cubes, popcorn kernels, hard candy, pens, or anything else that may be harder than normal food items like carrots or apples (which should still be cut into smaller pieces). Doing so could end up costing you more money in repairs than what was originally spent getting it done in the first place!
Restore your smile with dental crowns at Killara Dental
A crown is an effective way to restore strength, stability, aesthetics, and functionality back to damaged teeth without having to resort to more invasive treatments, such as root canal therapy or dental implants. It encases the entire visible portion of the affected tooth and prevents further damage from occurring while enhancing its overall appearance at the same time. If you’re considering getting a crown for your damaged tooth, contact us at (02) 9100 0831 to book your appointment.
