Dr. Ash Sagar 
Do you have badly damaged teeth due to decay or trauma? Crowns are dental caps that restore, protect and strengthen your natural teeth. They are versatile and can be used for numerous reasons, such as improving the appearance of a misshapen/discoloured tooth, protecting weak teeth from cracking or breaking apart, anchoring bridges in place, or covering implants.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the dental crown procedure and how it benefits oral health in the long run. Stick with us as we walk you through the process from start to finish – it’s simple!
Content Navigation
- Summary of the Article
- What Are Dental Crowns and Why Are They Used?
- What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?
- What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
- How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
- How Long Does It Take To Get a Dental Crown?
- Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
- How Do I Care For My Dental Crowns?
- Are There Any Risks Associated With Dental Crowns?
- Can Dental Crowns Be Used on a Tooth That Had Root Canal Treatment?
- Can Dental Crowns Be Placed on Top of Dental Implants?
- Are Dental Crowns More Expensive Than Other Types of Dental Restorations?
- Final Thoughts
Summary of the Article
- Dental crowns are dental caps used to restore, protect and strengthen teeth.
- Dental crowns can be used to restore cracked, worn down, chipped, or broken teeth, protect weak teeth from further damage, secure a dental bridge in place, and restore discoloured teeth.
- Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain or ceramic for natural-looking results, metal alloy or gold for durability, and resin for temporary crowns.
- The benefits of dental crowns include protection, restoration of function, improved aesthetics, versatility, and long-term cost-effectiveness.
- The dental crown procedure involves several steps, including a dental checkup, administration of anesthesia, tooth preparation, impression taking, and placement of a temporary crown. Once the custom-made crown is ready, it will be cemented to the tooth, providing long-term protection and durability.
What Are Dental Crowns and Why Are They Used?
Dental crowns are a commonly used restoration that can help to restore a damaged, decayed, or broken tooth. It is like a cap that fits over a dental implant or a prepared tooth, encasing them from the gum line upwards.
Dental crowns may be recommended by a dentist to help repair cracked, worn down, chipped, or broken teeth, protect weak teeth from further damage, secure a dental bridge in place, and restore discoloured teeth. In addition, they can provide support when a large filling is needed to replace a large amount of lost tooth structure.
Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain or ceramic for natural-looking results and metal alloy or gold for better durability. When done correctly, it can last for more than ten years with proper care.
Overall, dental crowns can make your tooth look better by restoring its size, shape, and colour. It helps preserve your natural smile without compromising oral health!
What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?
There are different types of crowns, each with advantages and disadvantages. Listed below are the most common types of dental crowns.
- All-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns:
These crowns are the most esthetically pleasing. Their translucency enables them to mimic the natural appearance of teeth, making them a great option for restoring front teeth. However, they can also be brittle. - Metal crowns:
A metal crown is usually made of resilient materials like gold or silver alloys, making them very strong. Due to their metallic appearance and durability, they are mostly recommended for back teeth. - Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM):
These crowns are made of metal with a porcelain coating. These crowns combine the benefits of porcelain and metal, making them strong and natural-looking. However, it is important to note that PFM crowns have metal collars that can later discolour the gumline. - Zirconia crowns:
These types of crowns are made of zirconium oxide. They are strong, durable, and natural looking. Zirconia crowns are less likely to chip or break than porcelain crowns, making them suitable for front and back teeth. - Resin crowns:
These can be made of acrylic or composite materials, both of which can be matched to the colour of natural teeth. Composite resin crowns can last up to three years, while acrylic crowns may last a few weeks. Acrylic crowns are usually used as temporary crowns during dental crown placement. - Stainless Steel crowns:
Stainless steel crowns are temporary and are bonded with temporary cement. They are commonly used for children’s teeth.
Dental crowns can come in different types, but they all do the same thing: protect your tooth and make it look better. They are custom-made to fit your tooth and can last long. Getting a dental crown can help to prevent further damage to your tooth and make you feel more confident in your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
Listed below are the different benefits dental crowns offer:
- Protection:
Crowns can protect damaged, weakened, or broken teeth from further damage and decay. - Restores function: Dental crowns restore the function of damaged or decayed teeth, allowing patients to use them for chewing and talking without discomfort.
- Improved aesthetics:
Crowns made of porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia can blend well with natural teeth, creating a natural-looking appearance. - Versatility:
Dental crowns can address various dental problems, including cracked, broken or severely decayed teeth, including teeth that have undergone root canal therapy. They can also replace missing teeth as part of a dental bridge or an implant. - Long-term cost-effectiveness:
The initial cost of dental crowns may be steep, but considering their benefits and durability, they turn out to be more cost-effective in the long run.
How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
Dental crowns are recommended when fillings are insufficient to address complex cases of tooth damage or decay, and they can also be used to enhance the aesthetics of teeth. This dental procedure involves the following steps:
- Dental Checkup:
During your initial visit, your dentist will assess the damaged tooth. Your dentist will also take an x-ray to check the extent of damage and the condition of the bone surrounding the tooth. - Administration of anesthesia:
Once your dentist determines that a dental crown can be placed, they will numb your tooth and the gums surrounding it so that you won’t feel pain or discomfort while your tooth is being prepared. - Tooth Preparation:
Your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and reshape it to make space for the dental crown. Your dentist will be as conservative as possible to preserve as much tooth structure as they can. - Impression Taking:
Your dentist will use alginate, polyvinyl siloxane, or a 3D scan to create a dental impression of your prepared tooth and send it to the laboratory. The laboratory will then make a custom crown that will fit your tooth. - Temporary crown:
While the dental crown is being made, your dentist will cover your prepared tooth with a temporary crown to protect the tooth and maintain the space. - Crown Placement:
Once the custom crown is ready, you will return to your dentist to remove the temporary crown and fit the dental crown. Once the necessary adjustments have been made, dental cement will be used to secure the crown to your tooth. They will then check that the crown does not affect your bite. - Post-op Instructions and Recall:
Your dentist will provide clear instructions on maintaining your dental crown, including how to clean it and what foods you should eat and avoid. Your dentist will also set a recall appointment so they can monitor the progress of your treatment.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Dental Crown?
A dental crown can be a great way to restore and strengthen your teeth. The time it takes to get a dental crown depends on your chosen material.
For instance, dental crowns like all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, and all-metal crowns are made in a dental laboratory. It will usually take one to two weeks before they are completed. However, there are dental crowns that can be completed in one day and are referred to as same-day dental crowns.
Same-day dental crowns, or CEREC crowns, are fabricated using a computer-aided design and manufacturing machine. A scanning device is used to take digital impressions of the prepared tooth. This is used to create a 3D model of the teeth, which is then used to create a dental crown from a block of ceramic material. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, allowing dentists to provide patients with custom-made crowns in just one visit.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns are designed to be long-lasting, but they are not permanent. How long they last will depend on various factors, such as the quality of the materials used, the skill of the dentist who placed the crown, and how well the patient takes care of them.
A dental crown can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. However, some patients have had their crowns last up to 25 years or more. With proper care and maintenance, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and regular dental checkups and cleaning, the life span of a dental crown can be extended.
It is important to note that dental crowns can be damaged or broken if subjected to excessive force, such as chewing on hard objects or using teeth as tools. Additionally, poor oral hygiene can lead to decay and gum disease, which can compromise the integrity of the crown and cause it to fail prematurely.
Therefore, while dental crowns are not permanent, they can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. Your dentist can advise you on how to care for your dental crown and help extend its life span.
How Do I Care For My Dental Crowns?
Proper dental hygiene extends the life span of dental crowns. Below are the steps you can take to care for dental crowns.
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss regularly between the dental crown and adjacent teeth to remove plaque or food debris.
- Have a dental visit every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This will also allow your dentist to spot early signs of tooth decay that can affect your overall oral health.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns have become a popular dental restoration option because of their numerous benefits. However, they also come with different risks, including the following:
- Tooth sensitivity:
Since a significant amount of tooth structure is removed because of decay and reshaping, the tooth may become sensitive to cold or hot foods and drinks. If this persists and worsens, consult your dentist for treatment. - Allergic reactions:
This is rare but can occur if the patient is allergic to the materials used in fabricating the crown. - Crown fracture or dislodgement:
Although rare, a dental crown can crack or become dislodged over time. This may require crown replacement. - Infection:
A dental crown that does not fit well harbours bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. - Gum tissue irritation:
The margin of the crown can cause irritation or inflammation in the gum tissue if not cleaned properly.
Can Dental Crowns Be Used on a Tooth That Had Root Canal Treatment?
Dental crowns are a popular dental restoration option for weakened teeth, including teeth that had root canal treatment.
Root canal therapy saves an infected tooth by removing the inflamed tissues inside the tooth. However, since the blood supply is removed during treatment, the tooth becomes brittle. This makes dental crowns necessary. They will protect the tooth, reducing the risk of having chips, cracks, fractures, and other damages.
Can Dental Crowns Be Placed on Top of Dental Implants?
Dental crowns can be placed on top of dental implants. Dental implants are small titanium screws fused into the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots. A dental crown may then be used as an artificial tooth. This combination can provide multiple benefits, namely:
- Restores the look and feel of natural teeth
- Provide much-needed structural support for surrounding teeth
- Allows patient to eat, talk and smile confidently
Are Dental Crowns More Expensive Than Other Types of Dental Restorations?
Dental crowns are made of durable materials, and their treatment process is more complicated than other restorative procedures, like dental fillings, onlay, and inlays. They require more time, skill, and effort, making them costlier than other tooth restorations.
The cost of dental crowns ranges between $1700 to $2250. This varies depending on the complexity of the case, the type of material used, the experience of the dentist, and the location of the dental office.
Dental crowns may be more expensive than other dental treatments, but they have many benefits that make them worth the cost. They restore the whole tooth, improve its appearance, and provide protection. Many patients think the benefits of dental crowns make it worth spending more.
Final Thoughts
Dental crowns are an excellent solution for damaged, decayed, or broken teeth. They can restore the size, shape, and colour of a natural tooth and provide long-lasting protection against further damage or decay. The different types of dental crowns offer unique benefits and versatility, making it possible for patients to choose the most suitable option for their dental needs. With proper care, dental crowns can last for more than ten years. In addition, dental crowns offer improved aesthetics, functional restoration, and long-term cost-effectiveness. A dental crown procedure is straightforward and can be done within a few visits to the dentist. With the right dental care, dental crowns can help preserve your natural smile and improve oral health.
Need dental crowns? Then look no further than Narre Warren Dental Care. Our experienced dentists have extensive knowledge in dental crown placement, giving you quality dental work and a superior smile. Make the intelligent call today! Contact Narre Warren Dental Care and schedule an appointment for dental crown placement.
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