A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that dentists use to cover up a tooth to restore and improve its appearance. Dentists also use dental crowns to protect weak teeth from decay, hold dental bridges in place, cover up a dental implant and protect damaged teeth from infection.
A dentist will recommend using a dental crown to fix problems with a patient’s teeth if they believe that is the best way to fix the problem. Getting a dental implant typically requires two trips to the dentist because the cap that will be put on the tooth has to be made in a laboratory before getting sent back to the dentist. In some cases, the procedure can be done in one visit if the dentist has a CEREC machine, which allows them to make the crown in their office.
During the first visit, the dentist will take X-rays to check the roots of the tooth that will be receiving the dental crown and the bone surrounding the tooth. If there is decay in the tooth or if there is a risk of infection to the tooth’s pulp, the dentist will likely have to perform a root canal before putting the crown on the tooth.
Before ordering the crown, the dentist will numb the affected tooth and the gum tissue around the tooth before they begin filing the tooth along the sides and chewing surfaces to make room for the crown. The amount of filing depends on how badly damaged the tooth is and the size of the crown.
After reshaping the tooth, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth to make sure that the crown fits perfectly and will not affect your bite. Depending on the type of technology available to the dentist, the dentist can make the impression with paste or a digital scanner.
The impression is then sent off to a laboratory to be made or they can make it at the dentist’s office if they have a CEREC machine. If the impression is sent to a laboratory, a temporary crown is used to protect the tooth until the permanent crown, which will arrive at the dentist in one or two weeks, is ready.
During the second visit, the dentist will remove the temporary dental crown and the permanent crown will be cemented in place after the crown has been color-matched to the remaining natural teeth.
Dental crowns last anywhere from five to 15 years, depending on what material they are made from and how well it is taken care of. Practicing good oral hygiene and minimizing the wear and tear caused by chewing hard or sticky food will increase the durability of the dental crown.
Dental crowns improve the appearance of teeth and also protect weak teeth from infection. If you have damaged or decayed teeth and want to fix the problem, talk to a dentist to find out more about the procedure and what to expect.
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