A person’s smile is one of the first feature that you notice in his or her appearance. People with a nice, beautiful smile are naturally magnetic and likeable. Unfortunately, if you have cracked, broken or severely decayed teeth, you might be reluctant to show off one of your biggest assets.
Good news is that modern dentistry has a solution for you. If you have a cracked tooth or a tooth that is severely decayed, you could be a candidate for dental crown treatment. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 15 million Americans have a crown or bridge to replace missing teeth. Dental crowns are designed to protect and strengthen teeth, while also providing aesthetic benefits.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a type of dental restoration, in the form of a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth or a dental implant. Dental crowns are used to cover teeth to restore their shape and size, strengthen them or improve their appearance. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement. When cemented into place, a dental crown fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Depending on the material they are fabricated from dental crowns can be:
• Full Porcelain Crowns – Natural-looking crowns made of zirconium or aluminum-oxide. These types of crowns are often recommended for the upper and lower front teeth because of their aesthetic appeal.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM) – Also known as “full cast” crowns, these crowns are made with metal alloys and porcelain is fused to the surface to create a natural-looking appearance.
• All-Metal Crowns – Made entirely out of alloys such as a gold alloy. These dental crowns tend to last the longest, but because of aesthetic reasons are usually used to cap back teeth.
• CEREC One-Visit Crowns – An attractive, fast option for many patients who want restoration without any waiting period. CEREC is one of the latest innovations in modern dentistry and allows dentists to place a crown in a single visit.
Do I need a dental crown?
You might be a candidate for dental crown if you have:
• Cracked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Badly discolored teeth
• Severely decayed teeth
• Dental implants (a crown is made to go onto the implant)
• A tooth that has had a root canal treatment
• Teeth that require a bridge
How are teeth prepared for a dental crown?
Dental crowns can be placed on any tooth and typically require making an impression of the tooth and placing a
PROCEDURES IN DENTAL CROWN TREATMENT
temporary, acrylic crown before the actual dental crown is ready to be applied. Unless you are getting CEREC crown, which is made on-site, your crown is custom-made in a lab and then placed within about two weeks. The steps of the crown procedure are as follows:
• Tooth is reshaped to accommodate for the crown
• Impression of problem tooth and surrounding teeth is taken
• Temporary acrylic crown is placed
• Permanent crown is prepared in lab
• Temporary crown is removed and permanent crown is placed (usually within one or two weeks)
Benefits of Dental Crowns
The most important benefits from dental crowns are:
• Dental crowns protect the teeth that they are placed over against tooth decay
• A crown can cover up discolored or unusually shaped tooth to make them look better
• A crown can keep a cracked tooth together and prevent or delay having to have a tooth extracted by your dentist
• Dental crowns can be used for attaching bridges
• A crown that fits correctly over your tooth can last for many years, even for decades.
• Crowns can give you a nice-looking smile that will give you better looks and higher self-esteem
If you would like to know whether dental crowns are your solution, you can rely on the professional advice and treatment from Dr. Kavitha Gowda from Perfect Smile Dentistry. Dr. Gowda, who is one of the best dental specialists in Everett, WA would offer you a thorough examination and help you chose the best solution for your needs.