What Is a Dental Crown?
It is an oral appliance in restorative dentistry that repairs damaged tooth enamels. Dental crowns in Cambridge, ON, mimic natural teeth in shape and color, making them the perfect dental restorations for replacing damaged tooth structures.
Dental crowns feature tooth-shaped shells that fit perfectly over teeth as though to cap them. It is why they are also called tooth caps. By encapsulating a natural tooth, they reinforce its structure, increasing its longevity and optimizing its strength.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
- It is not every day you visit us at Dental Art Clinics – Cambridge, that we recommend dental crowns for your treatment. Tooth crowns may be very versatile, but they are applicable only in the following circumstances:
- Tooth fractures – broken, chipped or cracked teeth cannot function like the rest of your natural teeth. Dental crowns can repair such teeth, strengthening their structural frameworks.
- Tooth implants – one of the ways to complete an implantation procedure is by securing the implant with a dental crown.
- Dental bridgework – a conventional dental bridge comprises an artificial replacement tooth and two dental crowns. The dental crowns encapsulate the adjacent teeth to support the artificial replacement tooth.
Tooth fillings – although not always, dentists use dental crowns to hold tooth fillings in place. It is mostly the case where the dental filling is too large that it requires extra reinforcement to remain in place. - A root canal – is a procedure for repairing a damaged tooth by treating its insides. After the intricate procedure to remove the damaged soft tissues in your tooth, a dental crown may be necessary to secure the external tooth structure.
- Weak tooth – many factors can cause your natural teeth to weaken. A common factor is enamel thinning, where the tooth enamels wear down over time. The underlying cause could be poor eating habits, aging, or teeth grinding. Either way, dentists can use dental crowns as reparative measures for weak teeth.
What Should You Expect When Receiving Dental Crowns?
The process of getting dental crowns typically occurs in two separate dental visits. After your comprehensive dental exam, the dentist will begin to prepare your tooth to receive a dental crown. Due to the nature of the preparation process, local anesthesia is necessary. It will numb your mouth, ensuring you experience a comfortable treatment.
After numbing, the dentist will use a dental drilling tool or laser to trim or shave your tooth enamel. The goal is to remove as much damaged tooth structure as possible. While at it, the dentist will work on making room for a dental crown.
After drilling, your dentist will mold out impressions of your tooth. The impressions will serve as guides for customizing your dental crown so that it fits snugly. Creating a dental crown happens in a laboratory, lasting about two weeks. Therefore, your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth, discharging you to go home.
Once your dental crowns are ready, you will come in for the final phase of your treatment. The dentist will place the dental crown on your tooth through a dental bonding process. (S)he will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your dental crown fits perfectly.
Should You Get Dental Crowns?
The idea to get dental crowns may be by a dental expert, but the final decision depends on your preferences. Some patients can prefer other oral restorations that fit their needs and preferences. However, patients that opt for dental crowns do so for the following reasons:
- They are natural-looking – other than being tooth-shaped, porcelain dental crowns are tooth-colored, mimicking the appearance of natural teeth.
- They strengthen teeth – dental crowns can strengthen teeth enough to increase their longevity, avoiding the need for dental extractions.
- They are aesthetically pleasing – dental crowns can improve the appearance of your teeth in color, shape, and size.
- They are versatile – as mentioned earlier, dental crowns can correct various oral issues in your smile, making them suitable alternatives for a smile makeover.
- They restore optimal functionality – one quality of dental crowns is that they reinforce the strength of teeth. It allows them to function optimally, especially regarding tasks for breaking down food into small particles.
