What is a dental crown?
A crown, also known as a cap, is used to restore badly decayed or damaged teeth. A crown is made to look and feel like a natural tooth. Occasionally a crown is used to improve the shape, color, or the alignment of the patient’s teeth.
What problems can crowns fix?
Dental crowns have both aesthetic and functional value. This full-coverage restoration may be suggested if you have a large cavity or a tooth that has been fractured or broken. Crowns are also a finishing aspect of root canal therapy, placed over the treated tooth to prevent further damage. These artificial structures are also integral to tooth replacement, whether a dental bridge or implant is the chosen method of closing space between teeth.
Am I a candidate for dental crowns?
Crown treatment can be beneficial for children and adults of all ages who have sustained extensive dental damage. There are no prerequisites for treatment and very little need for special care to maintain this type of restoration.
What types of materials are used to fabricate a crown?
Crowns are customarily made from durable substances such as porcelain, zirconia, pressable ceramics or gold. As Prosthodontists, Dr. Mahallati always takes the time to educate their patients about the best type of crown with great results and patient satisfaction.
Dental Crown Procedure
We make the dental crown procedure as comfortable as possible by implementing appropriate anesthetic technique into treatment. After numbing the area around the tooth, preparation is performed to remove structure that has been damaged or is decayed. In some cases, it is necessary to fortify the foundation of a broken or damaged tooth in order to support the crown.
After preparing the tooth, we take an impression that will enable our laboratory technician to fabricate a new tooth that fits perfectly into the smile and bite. After taking impressions, we situate a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it until the final crown is ready for placement.
How many visits does it take to complete the dental crown procedure?
The entire crown treatment is completed over two visits with our friendly staff. During the final visit, we remove the temporary crown and thorough clean the tooth. The final crown is temporarily affixed so we can assess bite and appearance. Slight modifications, if needed, can be made immediately. When we are completely satisfied with the state of the final restoration, we bond the crown over the tooth, where it will remain for several years.
Customarily, Dr. Mahallati requires two dental visits to fabricate a crown. However, exceptional circumstances may require extra visits depending upon the patient’s needs.
Dental Crown Recovery
There is no mandate on after-care for dental crown patients. Some people do experience moderate gum and tooth sensitivity, so we suggest the avoidance of temperate foods and beverages for a day or two. If the gums or mouth feels tender, over-the-counter pain medication may be taken. It may also feel natural to chew on the opposite side of the mouth for a short time. Finally, it is not uncommon for the new tooth structure to feel somewhat foreign in the mouth. Over a few days to a few weeks, the tongue and cheeks grow accustomed to the new sensation.
How long do dental crowns last?
Every situation is different and depends upon many factors such as, how well the crown was made, especially the type of material that was used during fabrication. Good oral care at home is also vitally important for longevity. Additionally, patients who have stress habits presented in the oral cavity such as clenching, bruxism or chewing ice or other hard objects can affect the longevity of a crown. At CIED we use the highest quality material and finest workmanship in our private in-house lab to ensure longevity on all restorations we deliver to our patients. We help our patients do their part by participating in our dental hygiene program to ensure they get the most out of their dental restorations.
Are there follow up appointments?
Yes, Dr. Mahallati will request follow-ups to ensure the perfect results!
Dental Crown Maintenance
What is the daily oral care requirement when wearing a fabricated dental crown?
Daily maintenance includes adequate brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups twice a year. It is necessary to clean the margins around the crown and to floss with care around this area, in order to prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria.
Dental Crowns Risks/Complications
Many of the common risks associated with dental crown treatment occur when metal crowns are selected. Metal does not expand and contract with temperature in the same manner as natural enamel. Therefore, individuals with metal crowns may experience more frequent sensitivity than those with metal-free materials. It is also necessary to fabricate the shape of a crown precisely in order to minimize the risk of bite misalignment. We are careful to create crowns that fit into opposing teeth appropriately. Finally, good oral care is important to infection prevention after crown treatment.
Dental Crowns vs. Veneers
A dental crown is a restorative fixture that is most commonly used to repair a badly damaged tooth. On occasion, crowns are affixed over teeth for cosmetic improvement. A crown fits fully over the tooth and is cemented into place with the margin sitting at the gum line. Veneers are “jackets” that are situated on the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. There is relatively little functional value to a veneer, but immense aesthetic gain.
