What is a Dental Crown
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that’s placed over your tooth. Crowns are used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth and to halt deterioration.
You may need a dental crown if you have any of the following tooth conditions:
⁃ A weak or cracked tooth:
A crown can prevent a weak tooth from damage, or hold a cracked tooth together. Also usually on tooth after root canal treatment, which usually getting weaker and prone to cracking
⁃ A worn down or damaged tooth:
Crowns can support and strengthen a broken or worn-down tooth.
⁃ Severe tooth decay:
If you have advanced tooth decay, there won’t be enough tooth remaining for a filling to be suitable. A crown is needed which can strengthen teeth and prevent further damage.
⁃ Severely discoloured or misshapen teeth:
Crowns can be used to cover teeth for cosmetic reasons.
Dental crown procedure: what’s involved?
It usually takes two appointments to prepare and fit a crown. During the first visit, your dentist will remove any weakened parts of the tooth and prepare it, so it’s equipped to hold the
crown. Your dentist will then take an impression and fit a temporary crown.
At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the new crown in place, ensuring it sits comfortably alongside the rest of your teeth.
What are tooth crowns made from?
Depending on which part of your mouth your crown is fitted, dental crown can be made from one or a combination of the following materials.
⁃ Porcelain:
Porcelain crowns are usually used for teeth near the front of your mouth, as the material looks similar to a natural tooth
⁃ Zirconia:
Zirconia is a strong, white, ceramic material. As zirconia can appear opaque, it’s mostly used for back teeth.
⁃ Metal alloy (Silver looked crown):
Sometimes crowns are made of a combination of metals including nickel, palladium and chromium. Metal alloys rarely chip, are resistant to wear and tear and only require a minimal amount of natural tooth to be removed.
Risks / Benefits
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
The most notable advantage of a dental crown is that it can prolong the life of a natural tooth. Specifically, crowns can: • Treat worn, broken or decayed teeth.
- Protect teeth from erosion (wear and tear).
- Improve chewing function.
- Enhance your appearance.
- Last between five and 15 years with proper care. What are the disadvantages of dental crowns? There are also some disadvantages. For example, crowns:
- Require some removal of natural tooth enamel.
- May cause teeth sensitivity, especially in the first few weeks after placement.
- Can break or fracture over time.
- Can trap bacteria and lead to decay if they don’t fit properly.
- May cause an allergic reaction in some people. (This is rare.) How do I care for my dental crown? To keep your dental crown in good condition:
Get regular dental cleanings and exams.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Floss between your teeth once every day
Avoid extremely hard, crunchy or chewy foods.
If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), you might need to wear a custom mouth guard.