What to Expect When Getting Tooth Crowns
Poor oral hygiene or dental injuries can damage your teeth. When you have tooth decay, cracked or broken teeth, you might have difficulties chewing or at risk of developing infections. An infection on your teeth might lead to other complications such as bone loss and gum disease.
Apart from chewing difficulties and the risk of infections, damaged teeth affect your smile. Therefore, you might feel uncomfortable talking to strangers due to low self-esteem.
To restore the strength, appearance and prevent the risk of infections in your tooth, your dentist might recommend dental crowns.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth cap that dentists recommend to cover a damaged tooth. By covering the tooth, a tooth cap restores your smile, improves strength, and prevents infections. Some of the reasons you might need a dental crown include:
- Broken or cracked tooth
- Damaged tooth due to decay
- Weakened tooth due to a lost dental filling
- After a root canal treatment
- To support your dental bridges
- After getting dental implants
Types of Dental Crowns
When you seek dental crowns, you can choose depending on your aesthetic concerns and the location of the tooth. Below are some of the types of dental crowns:
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are alloys of gold, nickel, and other metals. If you are looking for dental crowns that will last long, you can choose metal crowns. Such dental crowns are strong and durable. Therefore, you can consider metal crowns for your back teeth since they can withstand pressure.
All-Ceramic Dental Crowns
All-ceramic dental crowns are of porcelain material that assumes the natural color of your teeth. Therefore, if you are looking to improve your smile, you can consider such dental crowns. However, the dental crowns might be prone to chipping, making them best for your front teeth.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Such dental crowns consist of a metal framework and porcelain material. Therefore, porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns offer strength and aesthetics and would be suitable to replace any tooth. If you don’t take care of your crowns, the porcelain material might be prone to chipping.
All-Resin Dental Crowns
Composite resin material has the color of your natural teeth. However, the composite resin material might be prone to chipping and staining. Therefore, you need a replacement for resin dental crowns regularly since they are not durable.
What to Expect During the Dental Crowns Procedure
Before getting dental crowns, your dentist in Greeley will recommend a consultation. During the consultation, the dentist will examine your teeth to ensure dental crowns are suitable for your teeth.
Next, your dentist will prepare your tooth for a dental crown. When preparing the tooth, the dentist might administer local anesthesia. However, using local anesthesia depends on the amount of enamel that requires shedding since the procedure is painless.
During the preparation, the dentist will shed some parts of the enamel. The dentist will then take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab. Dental impressions will help create your permanent teeth. In the meantime, your dentist will place a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth.
When your permanent crowns arrive from the dental lab, the dentist will schedule another appointment. During the appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and replace it with a permanent one. The dentist will check the fit of your crowns and color before making the necessary adjustments. Finally, the dentist will cement the tooth cap in place.
Taking Care of Your Dental Crown
Dental crowns aim to protect your teeth and improve your oral health. Therefore, you should consider taking care of the tooth caps just like your natural teeth. Below are some of the care tips for dental crowns recommended in general dentistry:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily to eliminate debris and food particles
- Flossing your teeth at least once daily to remove plaque between your teeth
- Regular dental exams and cleanings
- Avoid chewing on ice or other hard objects to prevent chipping or breaking your tooth restoration
- Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports
If you have a damaged dental crown, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist to prevent the risk of infections. Therefore, you can contact our dentist at Affordable Dental Clinics for treatments.