Crown Q & A
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are often called caps because they cover, or cap, a damaged tooth. A crown encases the entire tooth, so it’s a good way to restore its original strength, and since it’s cemented onto the existing tooth or an implant, it functions just like a normal tooth.
Crowns are often used to repair a cracked tooth or to restore the tooth after extensive decay. They’re often used to cover a tooth that has had a root canal. Crowns are used cosmetically to cover stained teeth.
They can also be crafted to improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or out of alignment.
What types of crowns are used?
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials. Gold crowns consist of gold, copper, and other metals, while other crowns leave out the gold and use a mix of base metal alloys.
Metal crowns are strong, long-lasting, and more of the healthy tooth can be retained, but they aren’t natural-looking. You may want to use metal crowns on teeth in the back of your mouth.
The team at BMW Dental often recommends porcelain crowns or zirconia crowns. Porcelain crowns are durable and resemble natural teeth, so they’re a good choice for front teeth.
Crowns made from zirconium also look natural, and they’re quite tough. Since they’re able to withstand biting and chewing, they may outlast porcelain crowns.
What can you expect when you visit the dentist for a crown?
Getting a dental crown usually takes several visits to the dentist. It’s essential to be sure that all dental problems are fixed before installing a crown, whether you need a dental cleaning, cavity repair, a root canal, or treatment for gum disease.
During your first appointment, the tooth receiving the crown will be prepared, a process that Dr. Brayman and her staff make comfortable by providing painless administration of local anesthesia, without using a long needle.
After making an impression of your teeth, which will be used to make your unique crown, a temporary cover will be placed on your tooth.
When the permanent crown is ready, it doesn’t take long for the doctor to cement it into place using a special dental glue, and you’re good to go. Depending on the type of crown you get, it can last a lifetime, as long as you continue to brush and floss twice daily.