A tooth crown is the part of the tooth visible in the mouth and is located above the gum line on the lower teeth and below the gum line on the upper teeth. A dental restoration that is cemented to partially or completely cover the visible part of the tooth is known as a dental crown.
There are many reasons why a tooth needs to be restored with a tooth crown. The following reasons are the most common:
Teeth With Large Fillings
When a tooth has a cavity or fracture covering half the width of the tooth or more it needs to be protected with a crown. This is because any tooth remaining around the large filling is weak and is susceptible to fractures. At times large fillings remaining in the mouth for a long time need to be replaced with a crown because signs of stress and cracks will be visible around the filling.
Root Canal Treatments
Root canal treatments can leave a tooth hollowed out making it prone to cracking. Therefore a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment always requires restoration with a dental crown to prevent it from fracturing.
Excessive Wear on Teeth
People with the habit of grinding their teeth will be shortening the teeth over some time. The teeth can also wear away because of gastrointestinal acid reflux, an acidic diet, or bulimia. The enamel can also wear away entirely leaving them with small and soft teeth. This can result in the bite collapsing and the only method to restore the teeth to its normal size is by covering the teeth with a tooth Cap.
Undesirable Appearance of the Teeth
Many people have teeth with an undesirable appearance because of color, shape, or gaps between the teeth. They can benefit from crowns that make their teeth look natural and beautiful.
Crowns can also be placed on dental implants to restore spaces left by missing teeth. Some people have a problem with cracked tooth syndrome which is a condition where the patient has painful fractures inside the tooth. A dental cap can hold the tooth together and redistribute the stress evenly throughout the tooth to eliminate the pain in most instances. In such cases, it is recommended that a temporary crown be left in place to make sure the pain is eliminated and the tooth does not require a root canal.
What Varieties of Dental Crowns Are Available?
Crowns can be made from gold alloy or some other metal alloy. Stainless steel crowns and porcelain crowns along with all-ceramic, composite resin, zirconia, and porcelain fused to metal are also available. Cambridge dental is also using CAD/CAM technology for milling crowns from blocks of porcelain in the dental office eliminating the need for temporary crowns from the dental laboratory. All types of dental crowns have certain advantages and disadvantages. Dental crowns made from gold are traditionally the most durable because they require less tooth enamel to be removed before being placed. Aesthetics is the primary advantage of porcelain crowns and the new varieties of ceramic crowns are becoming increasingly more durable.
The Procedure for Placing a Dental Crown
If you need a tooth crown placed the dentist in Cambridge, ON, will first numb the tooth with local anesthesia. If the tooth has a fracture or has undergone root canal treatment it will first need to be built up with a filling that restores a portion of the tooth for a crown to hold onto. The tooth will then be shaved to make space for the crown and an impression will be made with a putty-like substance or a digital scanner.
A shade guide will be used by the dentist to determine the shade of the patient’s teeth and a temporary crown will be developed from resin or acrylic material by using an impression of the original tooth. The temporary crown is bonded in place with temporary adhesive to make sure it can come off easily when the permanent crown is ready to be placed.
The patient will be required to return to the dentist for a second visit after a few weeks. During this visit, the temporary crown will be removed with or without the use of numbing medications. The permanent crown will be placed on the tooth and checked for smooth margins, bite, and acceptable fit. The crown will be cemented in place with dental glue or permanent cement after any necessary adjustments are made.
How Long Can Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns can last for a couple of decades on average. They are however subject to fractures and cavities and therefore Dental Art Clinics advise patients to brush and floss around the crowned teeth to prevent damaging them. People with porcelain crowns will also be advised to wear a mouthguard to protect the porcelain from fracturing for prolonging the life of the crowns. Dental crowns are a suitable solution for any of the situations discussed in this article and can be chosen after discussing their need with the dentist.
