What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

Nov 20, 2020

Dental crowns are custom-made tooth restorations that resemble a hollow tooth caps and cover a reshaped enamel. When the dentist cements the crowns in place, they cover the part of the tooth above the gum line. Dentists also use dental crowns as tooth caps for dental implants when replacing a missing tooth.

Why Do You Need Dental Crowns?

Your dentist in Markham, ON, can consider a tooth crown to restore the strength, functionality, and aesthetics of your tooth. However, some of the specific reasons why you would need a dental crown include:

  • Protect a tooth damaged by tooth decay or cracked by holding it in place to prevent breaking
  • Replacing an old, broken, or falling out tooth
  • Restoring an already broken tooth
  • Increasing the size of a worn-down tooth
  • Supporting a tooth that has a large filling
  • Covering a tooth after a root canal treatment
  • Holding a dental bridge in place
  • Act as a dental cap for teeth implants

A broken tooth can lead to a root canal infection and sometimes tooth loss. Therefore, you should consider getting a tooth restoration such as a dental crown to cover the tooth, preventing entry of toxic bacteria to the root canal.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be permanent or temporary. However, the crowns are different according to the material dental technologists use to make them. Some of the different types of dental crowns include:

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are alloys of gold, chromium, nickel, and palladium. Since they are made of metal, they are durable and stronger than any other type of dental crown. However, metal does not provide smile aesthetics since the color does not match that of your natural teeth.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain or all-ceramic dental crowns mimic the natural teeth color. Therefore, they provide smile aesthetics and are best for your front teeth. The ceramic crowns are relatively strong and durable, but not like metal ones.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

The porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns contain a mixture of ceramic material and metal. The core of the dental crown consists of metal alloys, while the outer layer consists of porcelain material.

The dental crowns are durable and strong, but the ceramic material on the layer of the dental cap is prone to chipping. Porcelain-fuse-to-metal crowns are suitable for both front and chewing teeth.

All-Resin Dental Crowns

All-resin crowns are of composite material that your dentist can choose a shade that matches your natural teeth. However, composite resin dental crowns are not durable and can’t withstand intense pressure.

Dental Crowns Procedure

The procedure for placing dental crowns varies depending on your condition. However, any placement procedure for dental crowns starts with consultations with your dentist. During the first visit at 14th Avenue Dentisty, your dentist will first take x-rays of your tooth to assess the damage. If your pulp and nerves are infected, the dentist might recommend root canal therapy.

Next, the dentist will prepare your tooth by shedding some amount of the enamel to allow the fitting of the dental crown. The amount of enamel that the dentist sheds depends on the type of dental crowns you are getting. If you are getting metal crowns, your dentist will only shed a little amount of the enamel since they are thinner.

After preparing the tooth, your dentist will take dental impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab to help to make the permanent dental crown. In the meantime, the dentist will place temporary dental crowns and schedule another appointment to place the permanent one.

During the final session, the dentist will remove the temporary dental crown before placing a permanent one, checking its fit and bite, and cementing it in place.

Care and Maintenance for Your Dental Crowns

Dental crowns resemble your natural teeth. Therefore, you should take care of the dental crowns just like your natural teeth to increase their lifespan. After getting dental crowns in Markham, ON, the dentist might recommend the following:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily to prevent decay, staining, and discoloration
  • Floss your teeth at least once in a day to eliminate plaque deposits between the teeth
  • Avoid smoking or using tobacco products
  • Visit your dentist regularly for routine exams and dental cleanings
  • Don’t chew or bite on hard foods to avoid chipping the crowns
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