7 Things You Should Know Before Getting Dental Crowns
Your natural teeth play a significant role in your nutrition, smile, and overall health. But, years of exposure to bacteria, acids, hard biting and chewing forces, and trauma can cause your teeth to crack, chip, break, or decay. Thankfully, dental crowns are a solution to restore your tooth’s health, function, and appearance.
If you are considering a dental crown, below are 7 facts about the treatment that you should know:
- What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are among the best restorative solution for moderate to severe tooth damage. A crown is a tooth-shaped dental cap placed over a damaged tooth. It covers the entire visible part of the tooth, improving its strength, shape, size, and color. We offer dental crowns near you in Phoenix.
- A crown is custom-made
Placing a dental crown is fast and straightforward. You’ll need about two dental appointments if you get a traditional crown. However, some dentists offer same-day CEREC crowns. When placing the crown, the dentist will shave a little portion of the tooth’s enamel. They might need to rebuild the tooth if there isn’t enough structure to hold a crown sufficiently. Also, a root canal may be necessary if the tooth is decayed.
After preparing the tooth, the dentist will make molds of the tooth and send them to a dental lab to design the custom-made crown. A temporary restoration can protect the prepared tooth. You won’t need a temporary crown for same-day CEREC crowns. Once the custom crown is ready, the dentist will place the customized crown permanently.
- Uses of a dental crown
A dentist can use a dental crown for several reasons, including:
- Improving the size and shape of a tooth
- Restoring your smile and self-confidence
- Strengthening a worn-down or severely decayed tooth
- Improving the appearance of a stained tooth
- Holding a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Supporting a traditional dental bridge
- Covering a tooth with a large filling
- Strengthening and protecting a tooth after a root canal
- Covering a dental implant
Visit our dentist in Phoenix to find out whether you’re a good candidate for dental crowns.
- Different types of crowns
Your dental crown can contain various materials, including:
- Metal crowns are reasonably priced and possess great strength and durability. Unfortunately, they have poor aesthetics.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer good aesthetics, strength, and durability.
- Composite crowns offer outstanding aesthetics and are reasonably priced. On the downside, they are less durable than other crowns.
- Gold crowns offer great strength and durability. On the downside, they are expensive and are colored.
- Ceramic or all-porcelain crowns possess great aesthetics, strength, and durability. On the downside, they are expensive.
- Cost of dental crowns
Generally, the cost of getting a crown depends on factors such as the materials used, the type of tooth, the dentist’s location, dental insurance, and additional services like tooth canals. Consult our dentist for a proper estimation of the cost.
- Crowns are durable
Generally, dental crowns are durable and can last for 10 to 15 years or longer. The crown’s lifespan majorly depends on the material of the crown, your oral habits, and the tooth’s location.
- A crown can get stained or get damaged
While a crown is strong and durable, it can get stained or damaged. For instance, chewing hard items like nails or ice can cause the crown to break, chip, loosen, or fall off. Also, regular consumption of highly pigmented food items like coffee, wine, and tomato sauce can cause the crown to stain.
Unfortunately, you can’t whiten a crown if it gets stained. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and habits will ensure your crown serves you for many years and avoids unnecessary replacements. Visit our dentist near you if your crown is loose, damaged, or stained.
Schedule an appointment today
Would you like to learn more about dental crowns or book an appointment for one? Contact We Care Dental in Phoenix for more information.