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Decay, discoloration, and injury can result in a tooth or teeth that need additional protection beyond your natural enamel. When a tooth is weakened or cracked, and a filling or bonding is not enough, a crown is the best way to keep the tooth safe and strong. They correct the condition of your teeth, restore size, shape, and provide you with the strength to chew.
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials. Common types of dental crowns are:
- Ceramic or porcelain crowns
- Gold crowns
- Stainless steel crowns
- Porcelain crowns
- Metal crowns
- Resin crowns
- Zirconia crowns
Porcelain crowns are often the best match for your natural teeth and will make your smile blended and even.
A dentist may want to put a crown on your teeth when you have:
- Worn-down teeth
- Painful teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Large cavities
- A root canal
- Dental bridges
The traditional method for dental crowns is completed in two visits. The first visit involves examining your teeth, trimming them, taking scans and impressions, and placing temporary crowns. It takes around an hour to complete these steps. Then you’ll return for a second visit once the permanent crown has been created by a dental lab and provided to your dentist. The steps are discussed further in-depth below:
Dentist Examines Your Teeth
Before your dentist adds a crown to your tooth or teeth, they will first examine your teeth and prepare them. During an examination, your dentist takes several X-rays. These assist in checking the bone structure. Also, the X-ray images show whether the roots of the affected teeth are intact.
Affected Teeth are Trimmed and Shaped
Next, your dentist will numb your gum tissue. Then they will begin trimming your tooth and any surrounding teeth along the sides and chewing surface to prepare for a temporary crown. If your teeth have damage or decay, filling material helps to build up the tooth structure.
Taking Impressions and Scans of Your Teeth
After that, the dentist makes impressions of the teeth using a special paste. Digital scanners may also be used. Your dentist is keen to ensure that the dental crowns align as close as possible to the original teeth.
Dentist Creates Temporary Crowns
Your dentist covers the prepped teeth with temporary crowns. Meanwhile, the teeth impressions are sent to a dental laboratory to be created per specifications in the appropriate material.
Your Dentist Places Permanent Crowns
In a few days or weeks, you’ll return for a second visit. Your dentist will remove the temporary crowns. By now, the permanent crowns have arrived from the dental lab. The dentist checks that they match and fit the affected area. Once verified, your dentist applies local anesthesia to numb the area. The dentist then cements the new crowns.
And there is sometimes a follow-up appointment a little later to check that the permanent dental crown is fitted correctly. We are always cautious about doing whatever is necessary to restore your smile in any way you want. We love to see you smile!
Dental crowns have a lifespan of 10-15 years. Good oral hygiene and mouth-related habits help ensure that dental crowns remain intact. Avoid aggressive practices like chewing ice, opening bottle caps, or packaging. Also, do not bite your fingernails or clench your teeth.
The benefits of dental crowns include:
- Cover and protect dental implants
- Support teeth damaged by decay
- Hold together broken or cracked teeth
- Protect teeth after root canal
- Improve the appearance of your teeth
Our team of dentists at Castlebury Dental offer dental crown treatment to help patients regain normal teeth function. If you have damaged teeth that need dental intervention, dental crowns could be the solution you seek. We can examine your teeth and advise on the next steps towards successful dental crown treatment.
Castlebury Dental operates a state-of-the-art dental facility offering quality dental care in the Eagle, Idaho, and Meridian, Idaho. To book a dental crown consultation, call us or use our contact form to submit a request.