Getting a dental crown can be an intimidating experience. It’s important to understand what is a crown and how it will help you before you make appointments for treatments. Read on for information on what a dental crown is and why you might need one.
What You Should Know About A Dental Crown
A dental crown is a type of prosthetic tooth that covers the entirety of your natural tooth. Thus, it is restoring its function and appearance as much as possible. Dental crowns are used in many different situations. For example, when there is decay, after root canal treatment or removal due to gum disease. Additionally, you may need a crown if there has been trauma such as knocking out teeth during an accident.
Crowns also serve as bridges between two adjacent teeth which have been extracted. This occurs when teeth must be removed because they’ve decayed so badly that they couldn’t be saved by other means. For example, with alternatives such as fillings or root canal therapy. If your dentist tells you that you need a crown, it is important to ask questions about what the treatment will entail.
What Are The Alternatives To A Dental Crown?
There are times when a dental crown may not be the best solution for your problem tooth. If there is only minor decay or if the tooth still has most of its structure intact, your dentist may recommend a dental filling instead.
A dental crown will likely be the best option in a number of situations. For example, if the tooth is severely damaged, has had extensive root canal therapy, or needs to be extracted due to gum disease. The crown can be made of gold or porcelain material, so you may want to ask your dentist what your options are.
What Is A Crown and How Does A Dentist Place It?
If you need a dental crown, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth. They will use this to create a mold that will be used to make the crown. The dentist will send the impression to a dental lab where they will create the crown. In the meantime, you may need to wear a temporary crown while your permanent one is being made.
A temporary crown is a tooth-shaped cap that protects a natural tooth or implant until your permanent crown can be made and cemented into place. Temporary crowns are designed to only last for a short amount of time. Thus, it’s important to keep your next appointment to have the permanent crown put in place. You should not have the temporary crown for more than two or three weeks.
The next step is for your dentist to remove any decay and shape the tooth to prepare it for the crown. The dentist will then clean and polish the tooth before bonding the temporary crown in place. When your permanent crown arrives from the lab, your dentist will remove the temporary one and cement the new one into place.
Bottom Line On What Is A Crown
By now you should have a much clearer grasp of what is a crown. Simply, it is a type of restoration that covers the tooth’s surface to protect it from decay, fracture, and other problems. It is typically used when there are teeth that need more protection than fillings provide.
It is important to consult with your dentist about your specific situation. That way you can make the most informed decision about your treatment. If you have any questions about dental crowns, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at 19th Avenue Dental Care. We are happy to help!
If you’re in need of a dental crown, call our office today or visit our website to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. We will work with you to find the best treatment for your individual needs. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile!