Crowns
Each of your teeth depend on the others to help you eat and speak. When one or more are damaged, the health of the others can be threatened. It may become hard for you to chew, or the appearance of your smile may change. If you are having problems with one or more of your teeth, a crown can help restore normal function.
A crown, sometimes referred to as a “cap”, is an artificial covering cemented over an existing tooth that has been specially prepared by your dentist (somewhat like a thimble over your finger). Your dentist may recommend a crown if your tooth is fractured, has a large, old filling or is severely damaged by decay. Crowns can restore a tooth to its original shape, strengthen a tooth and improve your overall appearance. Crowning is a long-term restorative procedure that can usually be completed in two appointments. Crowns are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth.
Benefits of Crowns
- Repair chipped or fractured teeth
- Teeth can be lightened to any shade
- Fill gaps in teeth
- Restore and maintain your bite
- Improve your smile and chewing ability
- Last longer than any other type of restoration
Types of Crowns
- Metal Crowns – the classic metal dental crown is made of gold alloy. Dentists find gold to be a very workable metal and one which fits very precisely. Gold also withstands biting and chewing and will not chip. Gold crowns are potentially the longest lasting type of crown. Over the years, a variety of metal alloys have been put to use in the making of crowns.
- Porcelain Crowns – Dental crowns that will show when you smile are usually made of porcelain or have a veneer or porcelain on the surface to match your natural teeth. Porcelain crowns tend not to be as strong as other types of crowns. Because of this, porcelain crowns are usually not placed on back teeth. This type of crown can be more expensive than the alternatives.
- Porcelain fused to metal crowns – These are a cross between metal and porcelain crowns. When they are made, the technician makes a shell of metal which covers your tooth. A veneer of porcelain is then fused over this metal. These crowns are good for front or back teeth and provide you with the strength of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain.
Treatment
Once your dentist determines that you need a crown, a series of appointments will be scheduled.
At the first appointment:
- A complete oral exam, including x-rays will be done
- The area to be treated will be numbered by injection
- The tooth will be shaped so the crown can fit over it
- An impression will be made of the area and a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth
At the second appointment:
- Any adjustment to the permanent crown will be made
- Your bite and chewing accuracy will be checked
- The color of the crown will be matched to your natural teeth
- The permanent crown will be cemented into place
Caring for Crowns
To keep your restored teeth in the best possible shape, make caring for your teeth a routine part of your life. With proper oral hygiene, crowns can last as long as 25 years.
- Brush around your crowned teeth thoroughly to remove debris
- Floss daily
- Ask your dentist about special cleaning aids
- Eat a balanced diet to help maintain healthy teeth and gums
- See your dentist regularly to add to the life of your crown
The primary goal in dentistry is to restore teeth to their normal form and proper function. Crowning is an aggressive form of treatment because the entire tooth surface must be reduced and replaced with an artificial material. Getting your teeth “capped” just to improve appearance is not the best choice if there are alternative dental treatments which could achieve the same cosmetic results. If you have any questions about crowns or the procedure of placing crowns, contact your dentist or hygienist.
Copyright Patterson Dental Supply
|
Select a topic below to view the article:
|
