A Beginner’s Guide to Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps designed to completely cover existing teeth. Like dental bridges, veneers, inlays, and overlays, they are a semi-permanent cosmetic and restorative dentistry solution. If you suspect you need a crown, here is some helpful information on why they are used and how they benefit your oral health.
What Do I Need to Know About Dental Crowns?
Uses
Dental crowns are often used to cover a weakened tooth, such as one that has suffered from serious decay. This cosmetic dentistry option is also used to hold a cracked or broken tooth together or to restore shape to a tooth that has severely worn down. Additional important uses include covering a tooth that is more filling than anything else, holding dental bridges in place, and covering dental implants as well as misshapen or severely-discolored teeth.
Application
The application of one or more crown generally requires two dental visits, the first of which typically includes x-rays to determine the health of tooth roots. The affected teeth are then filed down and reshaped with resin or putty to create impressions; this ensures the dental crown will fit the affected teeth. Impressions are then sent to a dental lab to create the crown. You may receive a temporary crown while yours is manufactured. The second visit involves removing any temporary crowns and putting the new crown in place while making certain it fits correctly and does not affect your bite.
Benefits
Crowns can last for 15 to 30 years before they require replacing to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. They protect underlying teeth from further damage, which is especially helpful following root canal procedures. Additionally, pain and discomfort from tooth damage are usually relieved when the tooth has been restored with a crown.
Proudly serving Anchorage, these dental professionals specialize in crowns in addition to offering general dentistry services such as teeth cleanings and yearly exams. They take pride in providing a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere so their patients’ stress is minimized.
