Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps cemented over a damaged or weak tooth to repair it and restore its strength or appearance.
You may be advised to get a crown for any of the following reasons:
- If you have a fragile, weak, or cracked tooth that needs to be held together and preserved, dental crowns can help.
- If you have a missing tooth, a crown can hold a dental bridge in place.
- If you have undergone a root canal treatment, a dental crown can protect the compromised tooth.
- You have an extremely discolored tooth that doesn't respond well to teeth whitening procedures.
- To cap a dental implant.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
The following materials can be used to fabricate dental crowns:
- All metal - gold alloy, palladium, nickel, chromium
- Zirconia
- Porcelain fused to zirconia
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
- All ceramic
When choosing the material for the dental crown, the dentist will consider the following factors:
- Location of the tooth
- Position of the gum tissue
- The functionality of the tooth that requires the crown
- The amount of the natural tooth remaining
- The color of the surrounding natural teeth
All-metal or PFM crowns are better choices for back teeth due to their strength. However, PFM and all-ceramic crowns are preferred for front teeth as they have the same color as natural teeth.
Dental Crown Placement - Procedure
Unless the patient needs other dental procedures like root canals to repair the tooth, placement of dental crowns typically needs two dental visits.
1st visit:
- The dentist will discuss the various crown options with the patient and select the best option depending on the location of the patient's affected tooth, bite, gum tissue, etc.
- The damaged tooth will be trimmed down to accommodate the dental crown comfortably.
- The dentist will obtain an impression of the trimmed tooth and the surrounding tooth to fabricate the crown in a dental laboratory.
- The dentist will place a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is ready.
2nd visit:
- During the second dental visit, the temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent one is cemented to the tooth.
How To Take Care Of The Crowns?
- By taking good care of crowns, they can last a lifetime.
- Avoid biting sticky and hard foods.
- Brush and floss regularly to keep the tooth healthy.
- Use a night guard to protect teeth from the consequences of bruxism.
- Never skip your dental visits.
Please reach out to Mericle Dentistry in Simons Island, GA, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Mericle. Please call us at (912) 638-3559 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.
