What You Need To Know About Getting Crowns
Information about choosing and caring for dental crowns
At California Dental Group, our goal is to help patients keep their natural teeth healthy and beautiful throughout their lives. Crowns are an important tool in this effort, because crowns allow severely damaged teeth to be repaired and saved rather than extracted.
Some common situations where crowns might be used include:
- To repair a tooth with a cavity that is too large for a filling
- To protect a broken or cracked tooth
- To cover a tooth after root canal therapy
- To support a dental bridge
- To cover a dental implant
Choosing Your Crown Material
While various types of metal crowns are still available, most patients prefer some type of porcelain or ceramic crown, as these materials make the restoration look more natural.
If you need a crown on a molar, a strong ceramic crown such as a CEREC crown, an Empress pressed ceramic crown, or a zirconia crown should be used. These materials are stronger than pure porcelain and therefore able to withstand the heavy pressures created when chewing.
For a front tooth, aesthetics are going to be extremely important. Therefore, you most likely want to choose a porcelain crown. Porcelain reflects light almost exactly like natural tooth enamel so the crown will be virtually indistinguishable from a real tooth. Be careful to use a skilled cosmetic dentist to place your porcelain crown to make sure the color is matched to the surrounding teeth perfectly.
Secrets to Proper Crown Placement
When placing a full crown, the dentist must carefully shape your tooth to accept the restoration. Basically, this involves cutting the tooth down to a slightly tapered peg. The less of an angle the dentist puts on the tooth, the tighter the fit and the less likely you are to experience issues like a loose or missing crown in the future. Choosing a dentist that uses digital imaging will help ensure the dental lab receives extremely detailed specs for your crown and increases the likelihood of a perfect fit on the first try.
Caring For Dental Crowns
Assuming your crown was made by a quality dental lab and placed by a skilled dentist, it should last for many years to come. How well you care for your teeth will have a big influence on whether you get 5 years, 15 years, or more from your crown. It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene so that the tooth supporting the crown does not get weakened by gum disease or tooth decay. You will also want to avoid putting unnatural stress on the crown by biting your nails, chewing ice, etc.
If you would like to learn more about getting crowns, please contact the clinic location of your choice today.
