What are dental crowns?
- Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that can be placed over your tooth.
- They are used to protect and restore the shape of your teeth when fillings don’t solve the problem.
- Dental crowns can be made of metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics.
When you need a dental crown?
You may need a dental crown for several reasons, including:
- Protecting a weak tooth (possibly from decay) from breaking
- Restoring a broken or a severely worn tooth.
- Improve the aesthetics of unsightly teeth which cannot be managed by simpler cosmetic and restorative procedures.
- Holding a dental bridge in place.
- Covering a dental implant.
- Covering a tooth that’s been treated with a root canal.
What are dental crowns made of?
Crowns can be made of many different materials. These materials can include:
Ceramic-fused-to-metal:
- This type of dental crown can be matched to the color of the teeth that’s next to the crown. They have a more natural tooth color. However, sometimes the metal under the crown’s porcelain cap shows through as a dark line.
- They can also withstand biting and chewing forces.
- ceramic-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.
All-ceramic or All-porcelain:
These types of dental crowns provide the best natural color match compared to any other crown type.
- They’re also a good choice if you have metal allergies.
- They can also withstand biting and chewing forces However, they aren’t as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
- All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.
Zirconium crowns:
- Zirconium crowns are one of the recommended types of crowns for those who want an excellent looking artificial tooth.
- These crowns are made up of zirconia or zirconium oxide. It is a white powdered metal often referred to as white gold.
- Individuals who want aesthetic natural-looking artificial teeth for themselves prefer choosing zirconia crowns.
- Further, zirconia also gives closest whiteness to your teeth than other crown treatments. They do not leave any visible grey lines and reflections when compared to the traditional metal-based ceramic crowns
Metal crowns:
- There are several metals that can be used in dental crowns including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium.
- Metal crowns only require a small amount of your tooth to be removed.
- They can withstand biting and chewing forces. They rarely chip or break, last the longest in terms of wear down
- The metallic color is the main drawback of this type of crown.
- Metal crowns are a good choice for back teeth(molars)
Resin crowns:
- Dental crowns made of resin are generally less expensive than other crown types.
- However, they wear down over time and are more likely to break than other types of crowns.
PROCEDURE:
How is my tooth prepared for a dental crown?
You will have two visits to the dentist to prepare for a dental crown.
The first visit
- During the first visit, the tooth that’s going to receive the crown is examined and prepared.
- X-rays are taken of the tooth and the bone around it.
- Your dentist might have to do a root canal treatment before your dental crown procedure if there’s any:
- Tooth decay.
- Risk of infection.
- If there is no need of root canal treatment or the tooth is already root canal treated, the tooth that’s receiving the crown will be resized across the top and sides. This will make space for the crown. The amount of tooth that gets resized depends on the type of crown you want.
- Metal dental crowns are thinner and don’t need as much of the tooth removed as all-ceramic or ceramic-fused-to-metal crowns.
- If too much of your tooth is missing due to damage or decay , a filling material can be used to build up enough tooth structure for the crown to cover.
- After reshaping the tooth, a paste or putty is used to make a copy (also called impression) of the tooth that’s going to receive the crown.
- Impressions of the teeth opposing the tooth that’s getting the dental crown will also be made. This is done to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.
- Shade selection is the next and an important procedure that harmoniously blends to the patient’s adjacent tooth color. Normally, the shade of a dental crown is selected by the dentist together with the patient.
- The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory makes the crowns and usually returns them to the dentist in two to three days.
- During this first visit, your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while you are waiting for the permanent crown. \
The second visit
- At the second visit, the permanent crown is placed on your tooth. First, the temporary crown is removed and the fit and color of the permanent crown is checked. If everything is okay the new crown is permanently cemented in place.
RISKS / BENEFITS
What problems can develop with a dental crown?
There are several issues that you might experience over time with your crown, including:
Discomfort or sensitivity: If the crowned tooth still has a nerve in it, you may experience some heat and cold sensitivity. Your dentist might recommend that you brush your teeth with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
- Pain or sensitivity that happens when you bite down usually means that the crown is too high on the tooth. If this is the case, call your dentist. This problem is easily fixed.
Chipped crown: Crowns made of porcelain can sometimes chip. Small chips can be repaired, and the crown can remain in your mouth.
- The dental crown may need to be replaced if the chip is large or when there are many chips.
Loose crown: Sometimes, the cement that holds the crown on can wash out from under the crown. Not only does this allow the crown to become loose, it allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to the tooth that remains. If your crown feels loose, contact your dentist’s office.
Crown falls off: A dental crown can fall off. When this happens, it’s usually due to an improper fit or a lack of cement. If this happens to you, reach out to your dentist immediately. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your tooth and crown until you can come in for an appointment. The dentist may be able to re-cement your crown in place. If the crown can’t be put back in place, a new crown will need to be made.
Allergic reaction: The metals used to make dental crowns are often a mixture of several metals. You can have an allergic reaction to the metal or porcelain that’s used in the dental crown. However, this is extremely rare.
Dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line: You might see a dark line next to the gum line of your crowned tooth. This is normal — particularly if you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This dark line is simply the metal of the crown showing through.
How long do dental crowns last?
On average, dental crowns last between five and 15 years. The life space of a crown can depend on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to, how well you follow oral hygiene practices and personal mouth-related habits. These mouth-related habits can include things like:
- Grinding or clenching your teeth.
- Chewing ice.
- Biting your fingernails.
- Using your teeth to open packaging.
Does a crowned tooth require any special care?
A crowned tooth doesn’t need any special care. However, the underlying tooth still needs to be protected from decay or gum disease. Because of this, you should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices. These practices include brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day — especially around the crown area where the gum meets your tooth. Also, avoid biting on hard surfaces with crowns to prevent cracking.
Main is to visit your dentist once in 6 months for Professional Teeth Cleaning.
BLOG BY DR. SUPRAJA.J
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