Dental Crowns: Purpose, Benefits, and Procedure
Everyone deserves to have a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Unfortunately, most people will experience wear and tear to their teeth over time. When this occurs, it's important to restore the health of the affected teeth to keep your smile in great shape for the long haul. The good news is that improving the function and appearance of a damaged tooth is easier than you might think. With a dental crown, you can preserve your natural tooth while enhancing the beauty of your smile. Here's what you need to know about how a dental crown can benefit you before scheduling your free consultation with the trusted team at Charlotte Root Canal Center.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a type of restorative dental treatment that is used to improve the appearance of a damaged tooth, strengthen a weak tooth, or protect a broken tooth. They are essentially a very thin "cap" or covering that surrounds the damaged tooth, restoring its function and appearance.
Dental crowns can be fabricated from a variety of different materials depending on the placement of the damaged tooth, the condition of the person's smile, or other needs. Some materials used for dental crowns include porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. While metal offers unparalleled strength and durability, porcelain offers a natural aesthetic that will complement your natural teeth.
What Benefits Can Dental Crowns Provide?
Perhaps the most important benefit that a dental crown can provide is preventing a damaged tooth from being extracted. When a tooth breaks, becomes worn down, or is damaged in another way, improving its strength and function is essential to prevent other oral health problems from occurring later. A dental crown is a durable, convenient tooth restoration that can help accomplish this.
Other benefits of dental crowns include:
Strengthening weak or worn teeth
Protecting broken teeth
Supporting a dental bridge
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant
Improving the health of teeth with cavities that are too large to fill
Enhancing the shape, size, and/or color of damaged teeth
Restoring the normal function of damaged teeth, such as chewing and biting
Boosting self-esteem
Dental Crown Procedure: What to Expect
Prior to having a dental crown placed, your dentist will perform an exam to determine if you're a good candidate for the procedure. If they determine that you are, the dental crown procedure will take place over the course of two dental appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to make sure the area around the affected tooth is numb and you don't feel anything. Then, they will prepare the tooth for the crown to be placed over it.
Next, they will take scans of the damaged tooth to send to the dental lab where your crown will be made. The lab will create a dental crown that's custom-made to complement the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. It usually takes around 3 weeks for a dental crown to be made. A temporary crown will be placed over your tooth while you wait.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed and the custom-made, permanent crown will take its place. This process usually takes between thirty minutes to one hour. Once your permanent crown has been placed, you can enjoy your new smile. It's normal to experience mild soreness or discomfort after having a crown placed. This will resolve on its own within a day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter medication as needed.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
The lifespan of your dental crown will depend on a number of factors, including where the crown is located in your mouth, the condition of your teeth, and how well you take care of it. The best way to make sure your dental crown stays strong and beautiful for as long as possible is to practice excellent oral health habits on a daily basis. With good oral hygiene, most people can expect their dental crowns to last at least a decade, but it's possible for them to last much longer.
Here are some tips to keep your dental crown in tip-top shape for years to come:
Brush your teeth twice a day
Use mouthwash and floss daily
Don't smoke
Avoid biting down on hard items that could damage your crown
Visit the dental twice a year for routine exams and cleanings
What Happens If I Don't Get a Dental Crown?
If you're interested in having a dental crown placed to improve the appearance of a damaged tooth, then not getting one will leave your smile in the same condition that it's currently in. On the other hand, if a dental crown has been recommended by your dentist to resolve the function or health of a damaged tooth, then choosing not to get one could eventually lead to more serious dental concerns. Oral health problems don't get better on their own. In fact, they almost always get worse over time. For this reason, it's best to address oral health problems right away to preserve the well-being of your smile in the long run.
Charlotte Root Canal Center: The Best Choice for a Dental Crown
If you think that your damaged tooth is too far gone to be saved, think again. At Charlotte Root Canal Center, our experienced team is eager to help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve with a dental crown. We are proud to offer professional, compassionate care in a relaxing office setting. In as little as two convenient dental appointments, you can have the smile you've always wanted. Visit us online or contact us today to learn more about how restorative dentistry could benefit you and to schedule your free consultation. We can't wait to show you how simple improving weak, broken, or damaged teeth can be with a dental crown!
Sources:
Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care (clevelandclinic.org)
Your Dental Crown Procedure: What To Expect | Colgate®
Dental Crowns: Purpose, Procedure, Complications, Care (webmd.com)