Tooth Crown | 1 May 2021
A dental crown is a “cap” customized to cover a patient’s tooth. Typically, this procedure serves to restore a tooth’s shape and size, increase its strength, or enhance performance. In a successful procedure, the crown is cemented into place, perfectly encasing the tooth for full protection.
Dental Crowns are often necessary for the following:
– Large cavities that can’t be filled
– Missing teeth when a bridge is needed
– Coverage for dental implants
– Cracked, worn down, or weak teeth
– Restoration after a root canal
– Cosmetic reasons like discolored or badly shaped teeth
Before installing permanent crowns, a dentist will prep their patient’s teeth by shaving them down to ensure there is a properly shaped base to adhere the crown to. Once the teeth are shaved down, temporary crowns created from a mold of the patient’s natural teeth will be placed. These temporary crowns help protect the newly shaved down teeth from damage and ensure that the patient can function normally until their permanent crowns are installed. Since the temporary crowns will only need to last for a few weeks, they are made from less expensive materials such as acrylic or certain types of metal.
Permanent dental crowns are built to withstand the test of time. They’re crafted from ceramic, resin, or porcelain and some are fused with metal to provide additional support. Once the dentist has finished creating the permanent crowns, the patient will return to the office for the final phase of the procedure. The dentist will remove the temporary crowns, clean the patient’s teeth and gums thoroughly, and then install the permanent crowns with strong dental adhesive.
There are a variety of reasons for a crown, but these are the most common reasons:
When a patient needs a root canal
When a tooth has become irreparably decayed or infected, a dentist will typically recommend a root canal. Once the root canal is completed, a crown will be utilized to restore strength to the weakened tooth.
For cosmetic reasons
If a tooth is damaged or discolored, its appearance can be enhanced with a porcelain or ceramic crown. If a patient has an obvious filling, a crown can be used to cover it up, too.
When a tooth is close to breaking
Cracked teeth often demand a crown since the structure of the tooth is at risk. Due to increased sensitivity, a cracked tooth can be very painful, so a crown offers relief, all while making the tooth much stronger.
After dental implants
Think of a dental implant as a replacement for a tooth missing its roots. In this case, a crown can replace the missing tooth. Once the dental implant is placed into the jawbone, the crown covers the top of the implant, allowing the patient to chew normally. The crown is part of a permanent restoration.