If you have teeth that are severely damaged and decayed, dental crowns may be the only option available to preserve them. A crown consists of a cap that is placed over a prepared tooth and cemented permanently in place. The cap is shaped like a tooth to blend in with the others, providing strength, protection, and improved function.
If you had never had crowns before, it is a good idea to ask questions of your dentist about them so you know what to expect.
Crowns can be made from a range of materials. The earliest were made of metal. Chromium, nickel, palladium, and gold are still common materials for crowns today. Metal crowns offer advantages such as affordability and durability, but they stand out from the other teeth. Crowns can also be made of tooth-colored materials, such as ceramics that include porcelain and zirconia. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer the advantages of metal with a natural-looking, tooth-colored covering.
Placing a crown usually requires two appointments at the dentist's office. At the first visit, impressions of the teeth are taken to collect data that will be sent to the lab and used to create the crown. Impressions are taken of the tooth receiving the treatment plus the surrounding teeth, upper and lower. Physical impressions may be taken by biting down into soft, gel-like materials, or a digital scan of the teeth may be taken. Two impressions are required: One of the teeth before any treatment begins and another after the tooth has been prepared.
A numbing agent is used to prevent you from feeling anything during the procedure. The tooth is then prepared to receive the crown. This involves removing damaged material and shaping the remaining tooth so that the crown fits over it without crowding the other teeth in the mouth. Shaping sometimes means adding to the remaining tooth to build it up.
Once the tooth is prepared and the impressions are taken, a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth until it the permanent crown is ready. It takes a week or two for the lab to craft and returns the new crown, after which you need another appointment to fit it and cement it in place.
The success rate of treatment with dental crowns is very high. By restoring the teeth, they offer relief from severe pain and peace of mind that the tooth will not sustain any further damage. Depending on the material used, they look natural and last for decades.
However, following the procedure, you may experience a short period of discomfort. If you choose a metal crown, you may have an allergic reaction. The changes made to the tooth to prepare it for a crown are irreversible.
Once a crown is in place, there is not much that needs to change in terms of everyday dental care. Keep brushing at least twice a day to control plaque and bacterial buildup and floss daily to lower your risks for tooth decay and gum disease. See your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and checkups.
You may want to make some dietary changes following the procedure, especially for the first few days after treatment. Foods that are extremely hot or cold can cause sensitivity issues and hard foods may be difficult and painful to chew. Once the crown has had a few days to set and any discomfort from the procedure subsides, you can resume a normal diet. However, dentists recommend limiting or avoiding foods that could potentially damage or dislodge a crown, such as:
If you do eat these types of foods, do so sparingly and try to chew on the opposite side of your crown to minimize pressure and potential damage. Cutting foods into more manageable pieces can also be beneficial.
Before having dental crowns placed, it is a good idea to find out what will happen. You can learn all about the procedure by asking the right questions to your dentist. They can help you understand what to expect and determine whether or not this is the right treatment approach for you.
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