Damaged/decayed teeth can cause a wide variety of complications including difficulty eating and speaking, as well as aesthetic concerns. Restorative dental procedures, especially dental crowns, can help with this. This article explains what you need to know about dental crowns at Precision Dental.
The cost of dental crowns can be high, but the good news is that most dental insurance providers will cover a portion of treatment.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed on a tooth to improve its appearance and functionality.
Types of Dental Crowns
Several different materials are used in dental crowns:
- Ceramic or porcelain
- Metals
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
- Composite resin
The material used will depend upon your personal preferences and needs as well as the availability of the material. In some cases, the dentist may have a preference. There are some things to consider when choosing a material for your crown:
- Ceramics have a more natural appearance and feel
- Ceramics are often low-cost compared to certain metals
- Zirconia is the strongest and preferred by patients for back teeth, especially those who have bruxism
- High-performance plastics have recently been introduced that may be a promising alternative to ceramics
Common Reasons for Dental Crown Placement
There are several reasons a patient may consider a dental crown, including:
- Restoring a broken/damaged tooth
- Cover a tooth that requires extensive restoration
- Protect a tooth following root canal treatment
- Replace a missing tooth in conjunction with a dental implant
Crowns are often used when the affected tooth is:
- Vulnerable to damage/infection
- Causing pain during normal activities
- Unable to function as normal
- Impacting your bite
- Detracting from your smile
Procedure
There are several steps involved in getting a dental crown which can take several weeks, including
Consultation
The first step is the consultation visit. During this visit, our team will determine if you are a candidate for a dental crown.
Tooth Extraction
The next step is to prepare the tooth for crown placement. This involves the removal of some of the enamel to create space for the crown. If there is an infection, root canal treatment may be required, and a build-up may be required if there is significant damage to the tooth.
Impressions
Once the tooth has been prepped, the dentist will take some impressions of the tooth, which will be used to fabricate the custom dental crown.
Temporary Crown Placement
Since fabrication of the permanent crown can usually take several weeks, a temporary crown may be placed on the tooth to protect it.
Permanent Crown Placement
When attaching the permanent crown, the dentist will remove the temporary one and clean the tooth thoroughly. Then, the permanent crown will be placed on the tooth to ensure proper fit. Minor adjustments may be necessary and can be made in the office. If the crown fits properly, it will be cemented in place.
Advantages of Dental Crown
Dental crowns offer several advantages, including
- Restores natural shape and function
- Improves appearance
- Protects underlying tooth from further damage/infection
- Salvages the structure of the natural tooth
Maintenance and Care
There are no special maintenance and care considerations for dental implants. Simply brush and floss as usual. Some dental professionals recommend that a water flosser be used instead of regular dental floss to avoid potential damage to the dental crown.
However, you should avoid nuts and certain kinds of candies to avoid damaging the crown.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Procedure at Precision Dental Today
If you have a tooth that is severely damaged/decayed, schedule your dental crown consultation with the team at Precision Dental today. Our dentists have the training to be crown dentists and to properly put a crown on the tooth without causing additional complications.
We are located in New Port Richey, Florida. Our dentists work closely with our patients to create a smile they can be proud of and will help you save your natural teeth when possible. If not, they will work with you to find the best tooth replacement solution.
Dental Crown FAQs
If you have questions about dental crowns, the team at Precision Dental can help. Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions:
Which crown is the cheapest?
At first glance, the cheapest crown is composite resin. However, it is important to note that these do typically wear out quickly and must be replaced. A porcelain crown is designed to last longer, which makes it a much more cost-effective solution.
Can I eat after getting a crown?
Yes, you can eat after getting a dental crown. However, it is recommended that you wait until the anesthesia has worn off and you avoid chewing hard, crunchy, or tough foods with the affected tooth for a few days after placement.
Are crowns permanent?
Yes, dental crowns are a permanent tooth restoration. However, they may begin to show signs of wear and tear after many years. When this happens, the best option is to replace it.
Is a crown better than extraction?
While there are options for replacing missing or extracted teeth, it’s best to salvage a natural tooth when possible. Therefore, a dental crown is much better than an extraction– unless the tooth is severely decayed/infected. In this case, the best option is to remove the tooth to remove the infection.