A dental crown may be necessary for many reasons — to protect a decaying tooth, to restore broken teeth, to cover a large filling, or to cover misaligned or misshapen teeth. If you suffer from any of these issues — or any other cosmetic dental issue — then dental crowns are a great option to try. Contact us to find out if you’re a candidate for dental crowns in Clute.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped covers that can be placed over your existing teeth to cover them up. A dental crown can both increase the strength of the tooth and improve its appearance. These crowns are cemented in place over the existing teeth to completely cover the visible part of the tooth around the gumline. As such, dental crowns essentially function and look like real teeth.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are several different types of dental crowns out there — stainless steel, metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, and ceramic. When evaluating your teeth, the dentist will decide which type of dental crown is most suitable for you based on the following factors — the location and function of the tooth, the gum tissue position, your needs and preferences, the number of visible teeth while smiling, and the color of the tooth.
Based on these factors, the dentist may recommend the following types of dental crowns:
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Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is generally used to make temporary dental crowns because it’s cost-effective and doesn’t require multiple visits to the dentist. The crown is placed over the tooth or filling temporarily while the permanent dental crown is being prepared. In the case of children, the stainless-steel temporary crown may be placed over a decaying tooth to protect it. Over time, as the permanent tooth comes out, the stainless-steel dental crown comes out automatically.
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Metal: Metal dental crowns are usually permanent, and they’re extremely powerful and completely resistant to chipping and breaking. They are made of base metal alloys or alloys with a high gold or platinum content. The biggest issue here is the metallic color — which doesn’t look unnatural — which is why they’re usually placed in molars that are out of sight.
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Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal: Porcelain-fused-to-metal is the most natural-looking dental crown available, and its appearance can perfectly match that of your surrounding teeth. However, porcelain dental crowns are also more likely to chip or break, and the crown’s porcelain appearance often gives way to displaying the underlying metal roots, especially around the gumline.
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Resin: Resin dental crowns are inexpensive, but they’re extremely capable of chipping and breaking.
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Ceramic: Ceramic dental crowns look and feel like actual teeth, and they’re a suitable alternative for those allergic to metal. They can be used for both front and back teeth because they’re strong and look natural.
The Dental Crown Procedure
The following is a brief outline of the steps involved in a dental crown procedure:
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Preparing for a Dental Crown: Your dentist will first examine the tooth to determine if it’s suitable for a dental crown. Once that’s done, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing the outer portions so that the crown can fit over it. The dentist may also have to build up the core of your teeth in order to support the crown.
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Taking Impressions: The dentist will either digitally scan or use a mold to take an impression of your teeth. They’ll also check the exact shade of your surrounding teeth so that the prepared dental crown doesn’t stick out from the rest.
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Temporary Dental Crown: While you wait for the permanent crown to be prepared — which can take around 2 weeks — you’ll have to put on a temporary dental crown. This will protect your tooth from damage.
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Placing the Permanent Dental Crown: Finally, once the dental crown has been prepared, the dentist will place it over the tooth and make final adjustments. Your crown will be cemented in place, and it will look completely real.
Dental Crown Aftercare
The following tips will help you take care of your dental crown:
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Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day.
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Ask your doctor to recommend toothpaste.
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Don’t chew on hard objects and food like ice.
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Go for regular dental checkups.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Is it normal for a child to have caps or crowns on baby teeth?
What is the best treatment for a broken tooth under a crown?
What is the typical cost of a dental crown?
How should I take care of my dental crown?
It’s completely normal for a child to get dental crowns on baby teeth to protect them from damage or decay. The crown generally comes off as the permanent tooth erupts.
In the case of a broken tooth under a crown, the dentist will have to examine the exact type of damage/fracture and the extent of the fracture to decide upon a course of action. In some cases, if the fracture has affected the pulp, then root canal treatment may be necessary.
The cost of dental crowns differs depending on the type you receive. The average cost of a porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crown may be around $1,000 per tooth. In most cases, dental crowns aren’t covered by insurance if they’re done for cosmetic purposes. However, if it’s done for medical purposes, insurance may cover up to 50% of the cost of treatment.
You can take care of your dental crown with the following tips:
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Brush with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
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Floss regularly to get rid of all the food particles stuck between your teeth.
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Don’t chew on hard food or objects like ice.
