A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed on top of a damaged tooth. They can protect your tooth from further decay, improve its strength and enhance its aesthetics. Keep reading to find out about the dental crowning process, the materials used, and the pros and cons.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are typically used when you have one of the following dentistry issues:
- Broken tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Decayed tooth
- Worn down tooth
Dental crowns can be used to protect weak roots, saving your teeth from further decay. They are also used in dental implants. In dental implants, a metal post is inserted into your jaw bone, then an abutment is connected to the post, and finally, the crown is placed over the abutment. The crown gives you the appearance of a real tooth.
What Is the Dental Crowns Procedure Like?
Putting on a dental crown is very easy. You can get a dental appointment in just two visits to the dentist. During your first consultation, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by removing decay and shaving it so the crown will fit.
Then your dentist will take a mold or scan of your teeth. This will be sent to the lab, which will then create your custom dental crown. A few weeks later, when your crown is ready, you head back to the dentist, who will cement the crown in place and make sure the color and fit are just the way you like it.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
Is a dental crown the right treatment option for you? To help you make the best decision check out these pros and cons!
Pros
- Protect your teeth against decay
- Restore cracked and damaged teeth
- Improve the appearance of your teeth
- Getting a crown is a simple procedure
- Crowns last for over 10 years
- Can be custom designed for you
Cons
- Dental crowns can be expensive
- Risk of nerve damage
- Your teeth can become more sensitive
- Your tooth needs to be filed down before the crown is placed
What Problems Can Develop With a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns can result in a number of dental problems, including:
- Tooth decay – To prevent tooth decay, you need to regularly brush your teeth.
- Sensitive teeth – If this occurs, you may have exposed teeth. The crown may need to be adjusted, so it covers more of your tooth.
- Allergic reaction – An allergic reaction can be avoided by using a porcelain or zirconia crown.
- Nerve damage – To fix this problem, the dental crown will need to be removed, and a root canal must be performed. Luckily this issue is rare.
- Grayed gums – If you have grayed gums, you need to replace your metal crown with a porcelain one.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns can last for up to 15 years if they have been fitted professionally and are made from durable materials, such as porcelain. To keep your dental crown in good condition, you should brush your teeth regularly, avoid hard and chewy foods and stop grinding your teeth!
Can I Whiten My Dental Crown?
Has your dental crown become discolored or stained? Then you can whiten using a variety of methods just like your natural teeth. Dental crowns are made from hard and durable materials that are even stronger than your natural teeth. You can whiten your crown at your local dentist, who will coat your crown with peroxide and then use a laser to activate the bleaching agent. Within 1 hour, your crown will be up to 10 shades lighter.
You can also whiten your dental crown via at-home methods. You can use whitening toothpaste that contains peroxide or try out whitening strips.
How to Take Care Of Your Dental Crown?
Fortunately, taking care of a dental crown is low maintenance. To ensure your dental crown lasts for 10 years + remember to:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss regularly
- Avoid sticky and hard foods
- Avoid grinding your teeth
- Go to the dentist regularly
Choosing the Right Material
The most common dental materials are:
- Porcelain – Porcelain dental crowns are low maintenance, protect your existing teeth and give you a great natural look. Porcelain dental crowns can be fragile and can break if chewed on forcefully.
- Metal – Metal dental crowns are the most durable and are great at withstanding lots of chewing. The downside is they don’t look natural and are expensive.
- Zirconia – Zirconia is a new material that is amazing for tooth preservation, creates an aesthetic look, and is very stain resistant. Zirconia dental crowns can sometimes be too opaque.
If you are looking for a high-quality dental crown that not only looks and feels natural but lasts for over 10 years, schedule an appointment with Advanced Dental Wellness Center!
