A tooth crown is a restorative dental treatment option. It uses a tooth cap designed to look, feel and function as a natural tooth crown. Crowns can be of a variety of materials, including metal and gold. However, customized crowns are the most popular because they blend with the patient’s real smile.
Crowns can restore the tooth’s full function, prevent it from more decay, and give you a complete smile makeover. Our dentist uses high-quality porcelain crowns that match your other teeth and provide excellent results. Here is what you need to know before getting a crown restoration.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
To protect fragile teeth. Teeth can rot, crack, and chip. A cap can be placed on the teeth to hold them together. Protected teeth mean a healthier smile!
Restoring broken teeth – Dental caps can also repair severely worn teeth.
Improves the smile – Smiles instantly become better by covering deformed or discolored teeth!
Provides support for the dental bridge – A bridge requires two healthy teeth on both sides. If further support is needed, a crown may be necessary.
What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Crown?
You usually require two visits to our Park Ridge Dentist to have your crown completely fitted. The crown procedure is performed in two appointments. You may feel a little sensitivity, so your dentist may give you an anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth.
Below is what you’ll expect during the procedure.
Numbing the Tooth
Your dentist will numb your tooth and its surroundings to avoid any discomfort. Your dentist will use the same anesthesia if you ever had a root canal since the equipment will get closer to the gums.
Take Impressions and Evaluate Shade
Your dentist will examine the teeth and prepare the crown. X-rays of the teeth and surrounding bones will be taken to get a clearer view. This is important in creating your best-fitting dental crown. Your dentist will also get the shade of surrounding teeth and customize crowns that match your other teeth.
Remember, gold dental crowns won’t have a customized shade.
Crowns located at the back of your mouth are not easily noticeable, so you may discuss this with your dentist if you’re not bothered by the shade you chose.
Prepare the Tooth
Preparing your tooth includes filing it down. The amount of filing done will depend on the type of crown you receive. For example, a metal crown does not need many teeth material scraped off, unlike a porcelain crown. In some cases, you may need root canal treatment if there is a risk of tooth decay, infection, or damaged pulp.
Take the Final Impression
Your dentist will create an impression of the teeth above the crown so that the crown can align with your bite correctly. The impression is then delivered to the laboratory to make the crown. You will be given temporary crowns to protect your teeth before the second visit.
Your second appointment is the time to place your crown. The dentist will remove your temporary crown, check the fit, shape, color of the new crown, and use dental cement to fix it in place permanently. Again, anesthetics may be used to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
Recovery
The recovery period is relatively short, as you are mainly dealing with any irritation or inflammation caused by the surgery. You’ll be given post-care tips. The tooth may feel strange after the procedure since its shape may be marginally different from your natural tooth. This is normal, and your crown should feel comfortable after a few days. If your bite feels uncomfortable after a few days or you feel pain from crown surgery, please get in touch with your dentist to check and make any adjustments.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns are designed to last at least 15 years. However, the longevity of your dental crown depends on how you adhere well to daily oral hygiene practice and the amount of wear and tear to the crown itself.
Some habits also determine the lifespan of the crown. For instance, after getting a crown, you should avoid damaging habits like grinding and clenching your teeth, biting into hard objects like ice, hard candy, fingernails, or using your teeth to open containers.
Dental crowns can last for many years. However, even with maintenance practices, crowns cannot last forever. Crowns don’t require replacement after at least five years and may last for up to 15 years.
What Care Does a Dental Crown Need?
Once crowns get comfortable in your mouth, the best care is to maintain good oral hygiene and treat your crown like a tooth. Teeth under the crown still need protection from decay or gum disease.
Brushing and flossing your teeth with a soft toothbrush using recommended products and making sure you clean between the teeth every day to reach the area between crown and teeth.
However, crowns are still prone to cracks and wear. Avoid biting hard surfaces to prevent cracking, especially with porcelain crowns.
Do you or someone in your family need a crown? Feel free to arrange your appointment with Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge today. We welcome new patients to our dentistry and would be happy to add you to our schedule to determine if a crown near you is the best choice for you and your smile.
