What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged or misshapen tooth to improve its structural integrity or appearance. Crowns are commonly used after root canals.

People can also have crowns installed solely for cosmetic purposes. When a tooth is naturally smaller than the surrounding tooth structures, badly chipped or discolored, a crown will create an attractive covering that enhances and completes the smile. Crowns are also installed for the purpose of attaching tooth bridges or dental implants. Whenever teeth are lost or pulled, replacing these are essential for balancing out bite forces and for preventing the remaining tooth structures from shifting out of their natural positions. In these instances, the crown will serve as the abutment or anchor for the bridge.

What happens when you get a dental crown?

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a restoration for a tooth that is broken or damaged. People get dental crowns for cosmetic reasons or to restore a damaged tooth to full function and health. A crown covers the upper portion of a tooth and goes completely around it.

When you get a crown, the dentist first must prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the tooth so the crown will fit. A crown usually requires two visits to the dental office, but in some cases it can be finished in one visit.

In the case of two-visit crowns, you will usually get a temporary crown on the first visit and then return to get your permanent crown when it has been made in a laboratory.

At the first visit, an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth is made so that the crown will fit precisely. If you get a temporary crown, it will be fixed with temporary cement. When you get your permanent crown, the dentist will place the crown and make any adjustments to it before permanently cementing it in place.

After getting a crown you should not feel any pain, but you may feel some sensitivity to cold, which should go away in a day or two.

Cost estimates are specific to your situation, please call us for your specific Dental Crown costs.

Dental Crowns – FAQs

Provided that a crown is firmly in place, a root canal can be performed through a crown. To expand on the point: tooth material and crown edge may not be a perfect fit, especially over time. Decay can come in and complicate root canal procedures, especially if done through a crown.
Front teeth have a cosmetic dimension that makes color-matching a priority. All-ceramic or porcelain-and-metal crowns are prominent choices for front teeth.

As we age, our teeth absorb a lot of impact. Oftentimes, our teeth require crowns. Crowns are a covering put over the surface of a damaged tooth to restore the tooth’s shape and protect it from further damage.

The three basic types of crowns are metal, porcelain, and porcelain-to-metal (PFM). A metal crown is the strongest choice but has the least amount of cosmetic consideration since they are entirely gold or silver finish. Porcelain crowns are used when cosmetic appeal is the foremost concern. Porcelain crowns will have a natural-looking finish but are the least durable option. A hybrid crown has a metal base and fused porcelain on top which gives more cosmetic appeal to a stronger base.

Metal crowns will last the longest – it is not unusual for a metal crown to last 50 years. Porcelain crowns have a significantly shorter average lifespan of around 15 years depending on the individual’s diet and hygiene. Typically, PFM crowns last longer than porcelain crowns, but metal crowns still outlast PFMs.

The main differences between porcelain and metal crowns are appearance and longevity. A metal crown will last for many years, but the tradeoff is the decreased aesthetic appeal of a non-natural finish. A porcelain crown looks the most natural but most patients will need to have the crown replaced at least once over their lifetime.

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