What is a Dental Crown? How Do They Work
Teeth bear the brunt of life’s pleasures and pressures (sorry teeth!) but sometimes they need a little backup. Welcome to the world of dental crowns. Proficient protectors of your pearly whites. If you’ve heard the word ‘crown’ thrown around your dentist’s office and wondered, “Are they talking about royals or my teeth?” then this guide is for you.
What is a Dental Crown?
More hero than a royal, a dental ‘cap’ or crown is a custom-made guard that shields a damaged or decayed tooth. Imagine donning your tooth with an armoured helmet that defends it from further assault, reinstates its shape, size and function. Crowns come into play when a simple filling isn’t enough to salvage a tooth, yet its root stays healthy.
The Role of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are multi-taskers in oral health care. They don’t just shield enfeebled teeth from further impairment. But they also enhance your smile by correcting discoloured or misshapen teeth. Crowns anchor dental bridges, cap dental implants, and even keep the pieces of a fractured tooth together. By encasing the damaged tooth, crowns strengthen it, enabling you to chew and speak with aplomb.
A Spectrum of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer variety, as one size doesn’t satisfy all. Each type brings its merits and drawbacks:
- Ceramic Crowns: Prized for their natural semblance, these are the go-to choice for restoring front teeth. They blend harmoniously with your existing teeth adding aesthetic appeal.
- Metal Crowns: Appreciated for their robustness, metal crowns are apt for molars, where vigour is key. They are less prone to chip or break, though more conspicuous.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: These combine the resilience of metal with the aesthetic allure of porcelain, offering a balance of looks and longevity.
- Resin Crowns: An economical choice, resin crowns suffer from wear and necessitate frequent replacement, making them suitable for temporary fixes.
The Dental Crown Process
Grasping dental crowns involves an in-depth exploration of the procedure. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what to expect when getting a crown at leading facilities like My Family Dental:
- Tooth Prep: Your dentist pares down the tooth to make room for the crown. If the tooth lacks structure, a filling material builds it up.
- Impression and Temporary Crown: They fashion a model for your crown using an impression of your tooth and place a temporary cap to keep it safe while your permanent crown is being crafted.
- Crown Crafting: Your impression is sent to a dental lab, where skilled technicians produce your crown. A temporary cap safeguards your tooth in the interim.
- Final Placement: On your second visit, the dentist ensures a proper fit and colour, then securely cements the permanent crown in place. The outcome: A restored tooth that feels and functions akin to a natural one.
With a good grasp of what to expect and adequate preparation, getting a dental crown can be straightforward.
The Crucial Role of Dental Crowns
Propelling modern dentistry forward, dental crowns merge function and aesthetics, offering reliable solutions. From damaged teeth to just beautifying your smile, they serve various needs. So, if you’re deliberating on a dental crown, we encourage discussing the best type with your dentist.
Ready for the next step? Consider scheduling a meeting with your dental professional. They’ll make sure your dental care fits your unique circumstances. Because remember, a healthy smile is a happy smile, and dental crowns are one way to achieve it!
