Dental Crowns Explained: Varieties, Procedures, and Aftercare
Are you considering dental crowns but want to learn more? In this blog, we’ll address the ins and outs of dental crowns, including what is a crown for teeth, the different varieties available, their procedures, as well as address some common questions that many patients have throughout.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are small caps that fit over damaged or weak teeth to restore their size, shape, strength, and appearance. Custom made for every person and tooth, dental crowns are a common solution used to protect large fillings, cover dental implants, or support teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
Varieties of Dental Crowns For Teeth
Dental crowns can be made from multiple types of materials. Choosing the right dental crown depends on factors like the tooth’s location, your aesthetic preferences, and your budget. Your dentist can guide you in choosing the best option for your specific needs.
Materials dental crowns are commonly made of include:
- Porcelain Crowns mimic the natural colour and translucency of tooth enamel.
- Metal Crowns are often made from long-lasting, durable alloys like gold or platinum, making them a good choice for molars.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns have a strong metal core, with the aesthetics of porcelain.
- Ceramic Crowns are made from high-quality ceramic, often used for patients with metal allergies.
- Resin Crowns are cost-effective and have a natural look, but they are generally less durable compared to other options
When it comes to how long should a crown last, the answer may vary depending on which type of crown you have. Generally, crowns should last between 5 and 15 years, however, as with natural teeth, they require care and may need to be replaced if they’re accidentally broken or knocked out of place.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
The process of getting a dental crown typically involves two visits to your dentist. Here’s a step-by-step outline of how a crown is put on a tooth:
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Initial Consultation and Preparation
During the first visit, your dentist will examine the affected teeth to make sure a crown is the best option for you. X-rays may be taken to assess the tooth’s roots and surrounding bone. The tooth is then reshaped to make room for the crown, and any decay or damage is removed.
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Impression or Scan
Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will take an impression or digital scan of the tooth and its surrounding area. This impression is sent to a dental lab, where the crown is custom-made to fit your tooth perfectly.
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Temporary Crown Placement
While waiting for the permanent crown, your dentist will place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth.
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Fitting the Permanent Crown
On your second visit, once the permanent crown is ready, the dentist will carefully fit and bond the crown in place using dental cement. The dentist will make sure that the crown aligns with your bite and feels comfortable.
How Long Does It Take for a Crown to Settle?
After your crown is placed, it may take a few days to a couple of weeks to fully settle. During this time, you may be slightly sensitive to hot or cold foods, which typically subsides as the crown adjusts to your bite.
It’s important to avoid biting down hard immediately after placement, as the cement bonding the crown needs time to harden. If your crown still hasn’t settled after a couple of weeks, be sure to contact your dentist for adjustments.
Dental Crowns: Aftercare
Like any teeth, proper care is essential to prolong the life of your dental crown and to maintain your oral health. Standard brushing twice a day and flossing will help prevent plaque build up around your crown, and regular dental checkups will allow your dentist to monitor the crown and your general oral health.
As well as this, you may wish to avoid hard foods like nuts and sticky foods such as caramel which may damage or dislodge the crown. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a night guard can protect your crown from excessive pressure.
How Long Does A Crown Take To Fit?
While the actual fitting of crowns takes just a couple of hours, the time it takes can vary from anywhere between one day to 2 – 3 weeks. This is because your dentist will make an impression of your tooth to send to a dental lab. Once the custom crown is ready, you’ll return to have it fitted.
Same-day crowns, however, use advanced CEREC technology to design and create a new tooth in a single appointment, therefore your teeth can be ready in just a few hours.
Invest In Your Smile With SmileOn Perth
Are you looking to invest in dental crowns for your smile? Book your appointment today or speak to one of our dentists for expert advice on the right solutions for you!