Dental Crowns 101: Everything You Need to Know
If you are unhappy with your smile and would like to have a makeover, there are several cosmetic procedures such as dental crowns that can help you. Dental crowns in Phoenix, AZ function and look just like your natural teeth. In this post, we answer some of the common dental crown questions.
What are Dental Crowns and When Are They Needed?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are cemented to encase the entire tooth that lies above the gum line. These caps are used to restore the size, shape, and strength of the teeth.
There are several reasons our dentist will recommend the Phoenix dentistry for crown treatment:
- To protect weak or worn down teeth
- Cover or support a large dental filling
- Restore an already broken tooth
- To hold a dental bridge in place
What Are the Types of Dental Crowns?
Dental caps are made of several materials and each offers different benefits:
- Stainless steel crowns are used as a temporary measure and are fixed over a tooth filling for extra support. These crowns are visible and fitted mostly on the back teeth.
- Porcelain crowns provide natural color and are preferred by most people. These crowns can be used on either front or back teeth
- Metal crowns include alloys of gold or platinum. These crowns are durable and don’t chip as easily. But, they are expensive and best fitted in back teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-Metals are long-lasting, however, the metal can wear down the adjacent teeth. furthermore, they can cause a dark line in the gums, especially when the gums recede.
- Resin crowns are inexpensive, but on the downside, they wear down relatively quickly.
How Are the Crowns Fixed?
Fixing a dental crown will require two dental visits and it involves a few steps.
Tooth and gum examination
Before the dental crowns are fixed, our dentist in Phoenix will first get an x-ray of your dental structure to check for any decay. Professional dental cleaning is done to get rid of any buildup. The dentist will explain the process, any risks involved, and the different dental crowns available and their pros and cons.
Teeth preparation
The gums are anesthetized and the affected teeth are filed down to make room for the crowns. Next, the dental impression is taken to the lab to create permanent dental crowns. It can take two to three weeks to get the permanent crowns, so the dentist will cover the reshaped teeth with temporary crowns.
These temporary caps are vital to your oral health and should be handled with care, so avoid eating chewy or sticky foods.
Receiving the permanent crowns
On your second dental visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crowns and replace them with the permanent ones. The crowns are cemented in place using dental cement and hardened with a beam light.
What Problems Can Develop After the Dental Crowns Are Fixed?
Several dental problems may develop such as:
- Tooth sensitivity develops as soon as the anesthesia begins to wear off. The dentist will, however, recommend a tooth-sensitive toothpaste to ease the discomfort.
- The crown may also chip or loosen. Sometimes the cement is washed down making the crown lose. This may also lead to bacteria growth and further affect your teeth. If you have minor chips, the dentist will use resin to repair the cracks. But, at times the crown is replaced to prevent further complications.
- Gum discoloration can develop, especially if you have the porcelain-fuse-to-metal crowns. This is not a major dental problem, but it is cosmetically unacceptable. The dentist may opt to replace the crown with another type.
- Some people may develop an allergic reaction to metal crowns
How Long Do the Dental Crown Last?
The crowns on average can last for ten years, but with proper care, you can extend the lifespan to 15 years.
Final Thoughts
Although dental crowns do not require any special dental care, you still need to maintain proper dental hygiene. Remember, the teeth underneath are not free of decay and cavities.
Apart from brushing and flossing, visit On Pointe Dentistry for routine checkup and cleaning.