If you have a deep cavity, a crown is one of your best solutions to save the tooth and prevent it from further damage. Rather than pulling a damaged tooth, dentists prefer to use crowns to protect as much of the tooth as possible and keep your existing teeth from squeezing together to fill the void.
Crowns are somewhat common in the United States — about 1 in every 20 Americans has a crowned tooth. If you’ve never had one before, you might be wondering about dental crowns and why you might need one.
What Is a Crown?
A permanent crown is a hard cap that fits on top of what remains of your tooth, and it’s sealed off to prevent further damage to the rest of the tooth, especially from harmful bacteria. Once you have a crown in place, it serves the purpose that your old tooth used to serve, fitting in with the rest of your teeth to create a smooth bite.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Chances are, you’ve had a cavity filled at some point. For small instances of tooth decay, a filling can be an excellent solution that keeps the tooth healthy enough and strong enough to serve you and your mouth well. But when a tooth breaks to the point where you need a root canal, a filling simply isn’t enough to do the job of protecting your tooth.
A dental crown is necessary when your natural tooth has cracked or broken because, without a crown, bacteria might get into the broken spot and cause further damage underneath your tooth’s enamel. Plus, a weak tooth simply isn’t strong enough to serve your mouth properly if it doesn’t have a crown in place. Your natural tooth structure is meant to support all of the teeth in your mouth, and if one isn’t doing the job, the other teeth have to overcompensate in order to replace it.
Getting a dental crown means the rest of your teeth can continue to do their job as they always have, with the crown replacing your weak tooth and continuing to maintain the integrity of your jawline. If you’ve had a tooth break, a crown is a critical step in providing real treatment for your mouth.
What Steps Are Involved in Preparing a Tooth for a Crown?
First, dentists use a local anesthetic to prepare the area around your tooth for the crown. Once you’re suitably numb, the dentist files down the natural tooth if necessary to ensure that your crown properly fits over the remaining tooth and fits with the rest of the natural teeth in your mouth.
The dentist then makes an impression of your tooth to construct a permanent crown. This can take a couple of weeks for a dental laboratory to do, so you’ll get a temporary crown put in place as part of your treatment. This ensures that your tooth is protected until the permanent crown arrives. At that point, you’ll have a follow-up appointment, and the dentist will place the new crown and use a sealant such as cement to keep bacteria away from your original tooth. Once the sealant has hardened, you’ll be able to eat, drink and brush your teeth as normal.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
Several types of crowns are available, and all of them have different strengths and weaknesses compared to other solutions. Dental crowns can be made of different kinds of material, such as ceramics, resin, silver or metal alloys. Gold crowns are also popular, although they can be a bit on the expensive side because of the price of gold. Your best bet is to talk with an experienced dentist and decide what kind of material is best for your mouth’s individual needs.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Crowns?
The biggest risks that come with a crown are an allergic reaction to the material used for your crown or the crown falling off because the sealant came loose. When you get a root canal done and have a crown put in place, it’s very important for you to let your dentist know if you have any allergies to a certain alloy or other material. If so, your dentist can choose something different to ensure you can safely have a crown in place.
The biggest benefit is that your tooth is well-protected from harmful bacteria in your mouth. If you leave your tooth uncovered and neglect treatment, you’re at risk of infection whenever bacteria comes into your mouth from the food you eat. A crown provides real protection while keeping your jaw strong and healthy.
What Problems Can I Expect With a Crown?
When you have a crown in place, you might notice a bit of sensitivity as your mouth starts to heal and get used to your crown. If this persists for several days after you get your crown, see a dentist immediately to ensure that you don’t have a long-term problem with your gums. Other problems include a bite that feels off or a crown that’s a bit loose, both of which indicate a need to see a dentist.
How Should I Care for Teeth With a Crown?
You can care for your teeth the same way you would without a crown: brushing and flossing regularly and making sure to get the right foods into your diet.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
If you care for your crown properly, it should last for roughly 15 years before you need to get it replaced. However, crowns can last even longer in certain situations. If the fit is good and the owner takes excellent care of their mouth, a crown can last for 25 or even 30 years before being replaced.
Contact Sugar Creek Dental today to get scheduled for a consultation. We are here to make your smile shine!