Complate Guide to a Standard Dental Crowns Procedure

Dental crowns are among the most common dental restorations that are used to fix the shape, size, strength, and appearance of a damaged or weak teeth.

Dental crowns are an effective choice whether you have a damaged tooth, extensive decay, or simply want to improve the appearance of your teeth.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about dental crowns procedure, including their types, benefits, potential risks, and alternative treatments to help you make an informed decision about your dental health.

Table of Contents

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a cap that mimics a tooth. Crowns are used by dentists to repair teeth that are weak, fractured, or decaying.

Like a secure cap, a crown covers your whole tooth and before gluing your new crown in place, a dentist will need to remove a tiny bit of enamel to guarantee a good fit.

You may have crowns on your front teeth that were made especially to blend in with your other teeth, or you may have crowns over a molar in the back of your mouth.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, zirconia, gold alloy, or a mix of porcelain and metals.

Who Needs Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns can be used for several reasons, such as:

Make a weak tooth stronger.
Protect and support a cracked tooth.
Repair a damaged or worn-out tooth.
Securely hold a dental bridge.
Cover a tooth that is badly discolored or stained.
Cover a tooth that has had a root canal.
Put a covering over a dental implant.
Help with severe tooth decay.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are several types of dental crowns besides the basic permanent crown. Here are some of the types:

Temporary crown

A crown that will only be in your mouth briefly is known as a temporary crown. It won’t be as durable as a permanent crown since your dentist will apply it to your tooth using easily removable glue. This stays while you await the making of a permanent crown.

One-day crown

Using advanced techniques, several dental clinics provide same-day crown placement. In the office, a block of ceramic is used to design and create your new crown.

3/4 crown

Some crowns cover only a part of the tooth. Your dentist may recommend a 3/4 crown if you don’t require a full crown.

Dental Crowns Procedure

During the initial appointment of the dental crowns procedure, your dentist will need to remove a part of your tooth’s natural enamel in order to prepare it for a crown. This creates room for your new crown and guarantees that it will remain in position after bonding.

After that, your dentist will use an impression pressed into a mold, or a digital scanner to take impressions of your teeth, which they will then send to a dental lab.

Your dentist will install a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent one. The most common materials for temporary crowns are acrylic or resin.

On a follow-up appointment, your dentist will take out your temporary crown, examine your new crown’s fit, color, and shape, and use a strong dental cement to secure the new crown to your tooth.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns have many benefits. In particular, crowns can:

Take care of decaying, fractured, or worn teeth.
Protect teeth from wear and tear, or erosion.
Enhance your ability to chew.
Help with making discolored or unevenly shaped teeth seem better.
With the right maintenance, they can last five to fifteen years.
Keep your natural teeth healthy for the future.

Risks of Dental Crowns

There are certain drawbacks of the dental crowns as well, including:

Requiring a certain amount of natural tooth enamel to be removed.
May make teeth sensitive, particularly in the initial weeks after placement.
May eventually fracture or shatter.
May, if not fitted correctly, trap germs and cause deterioration.
May trigger an allergic response in certain individuals. (This is rare.)
It might be costly.
Although it’s uncommon, some people may develop gum disease after crown placement.
May result in changed speech as you get used to your teeth’s new form.
Infection, or inflammation in the treated area.
Bleeding, particularly if you use blood thinners.

Dental Crowns Alternatives

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain molds that are attached to a tooth’s front surface. They are a fast and efficient way to fix teeth that are chipped, discolored, crooked, or malformed.

Fillings

The purpose of fillings is to repair cavities that have developed in your teeth. They aid in preventing toothaches and stopping further deterioration. Although there are other kinds of fillings, the most popular ones are composite, which matches the color of your teeth, and amalgam, which is made of metal.

Onlays and Inlays

A tooth that is too healthy to require a crown but too damaged for a dental filling might be restored with an inlay or onlay. This kind of repair fits like a jigsaw piece into the damaged area of your tooth.

Conclusion

Dental crowns are a flexible and efficient way to repair teeth that are weak, broken, or have aesthetic flaws. Crowns can provide both practical and cosmetic advantages for many dental issues.

They do have certain dangers, though, and might not be the best option for everyone, just like any dental operation which is why it’s important to understand the dental crowns procedure to see if it’s suitable for you.

Dental crowns can offer long-lasting protection and maintain the health of your smile for many years to come with the right maintenance and routine dental checkups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is getting a crown a painful procedure?

A dental crown shouldn't cause discomfort, although some sensitivity is normal after crown implantation, you shouldn't have pain or discomfort that keeps you awake at night. To make you comfortable during the actual treatment, your dentist will provide an anesthetic.

Is a crown a major procedure?

Major treatments are usually procedures that take several steps to finish or services that could have been handled sooner and more quickly. This is why dental crowns are considered major treatments in most cases.

Can you eat after a crown?

After receiving a crown, especially a temporary one, you must avoid eating anything crunchy, sticky, or hard right away. Once the permanent crown is securely attached, you can continue eating nearly any food, but you should exercise caution with extremely sticky or hard foods.