5 Important Facts That You Should Know About Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are hollow devices that fit over teeth. In many cases, they are made using ceramic, which provides them with a natural look. Porcelain and a few other materials may be used. Since your dentist is recommending that you get a few dental crowns, here are some basics that you should know about how they work and what they accomplish.
Crowns Are Customized to Fit Properly
When you have dental work done, the dentist is likely to fit you with a temporary crown. This is simply to protect the tooth for a short time. In the interim, a custom crown is prepared. You can depend on it to be perfect in shape and size.
Once it’s ready, you’ll return to the office and receive the permanent crown. Along with the size and shape being ideal, the porcelain or other material is tinted to match the rest of your teeth. No one will know you have a crown unless you decide to share that information.
The Tooth May Need Some Changes Before the Crown is Put in Position
The installation of a crown often means some preparatory work on the tooth. This often involves removing a little of the tooth surface. Doing so ensures that the crown will adhere to the tooth properly and look like the real thing.
At other times, it may not be necessary to remove any of the tooth prior to receiving the crown. Instead, it’s necessary to built up the tooth a little. This may be the case if the tooth was damaged in some sort of accident, or it it’s not naturally a proper size. Your dentist will discuss what must be done in order to ensure the crown fits perfectly.
A Crown May Help Avoid the Loss of a Tooth
Tooth decay can be handled in one of two ways. The tooth can be extracted, paving the way for an implant or a bridge. There’s also the possibility of removing the decayed portion, rebuilding the tooth, and then adding a crown to finish the job.
Which option your dentist recommends depends on the severity of the decay. If there’s not a lot of natural tooth left, the most practical solution is to extract it. When there’s a significant amount left, repairing the tooth and adding a crown is often the best way to go.
Dentists May Use Crowns in Several Other Ways
Repairing a tooth damaged by decay is not the only application for crowns. They can be used to add stability and strength to a tooth that was cracked or chipped in some way. If you are in need of a dental bridge to fill in a gap, the dentist may recommend the use of a crown on the adjacent teeth to help hold the bridge in place.
Crowns are also used in conjunction with dental implants. If you don’t like the idea of a bridge to fill in a gap, an implant works well. Once in place, a custom crown is prepared to fit on top of it. The result is that no one will know there’s anything other than real teeth in the mouth.
Crowns Last For Years
Crowns are made to last for a long time, but the day will come when they need to be replaced. Most people find that crowns will last for at least five years. There are those who report that their crowns held up well for as long as fifteen years.
During your annual dental checkup, the dentist will look closely at the crowns to determine if they need any attention. Typically, you will know in advance when the time is coming to replace them. The procedure will be relatively fast, and you should experience little to no pain afterward.
If your dentist is recommending dental crowns, take time to learn more about how they work and what you can do to keep them in good shape. As a staple of Westfield family dentistry treatments, you can bet that the dentist will be happy to tell you anything that you would like to know.
