Despite their strength, your teeth can still get damaged over time. This can be caused by bacteria, trauma, or just plain wear and tear. For this reason, people undergo dental restoration procedures—like dental crowns.
Medically reviewed by Grazielle Millo-Paderes, DDM, MSc · Dentistry · Unihealth-Parañaque Hospital and Medical Center
Despite their strength, your teeth can still get damaged over time. This can be caused by bacteria, trauma, or just plain wear and tear. For this reason, people undergo dental restoration procedures—like dental crowns.
Dental crowns are basically “caps” placed over your teeth. The crown helps restore the tooth’s shape and size, increase its strength, and improve overall appearance. In a typical procedure, the crown is cemented into place covering the visible portion of the tooth. Read on to know more about dental crowns should you need one.
Apart from restoring damaged teeth, dental crowns also provide solutions to other dental problems such as:
In pediatric dentistry, dental crowns are used when the baby’s teeth have been damaged by decay.
Permanent dental crowns are made from different materials, including:
Typically, dental crown procedures require multi-day visits (at least two times), depending on what your dentist will recommend.
On your first visit, x-rays are taken to examine the tooth that’s going to receive the crown, as well as the surrounding teeth. If you have major tooth decay or damage, it’s likely that you will be required to undergo additional dental procedures like a root canal treatment, bridge (multiple crowns connected to each other), or deep cleaning.
After, part of the tooth’s outer layer will be removed and filed down. This is to make space for the crown itself. An impression will be made out of the trimmed tooth and will be sent to the dental lab to make the crown. Until then, your dentist will have to place a temporary crown over your teeth.
At the second visit, the permanent crown will be cemented in place.
Sometimes, anesthesia will be used on the first visit during the preparation/filing of the teeth because it is sensitive. On the second visit, rarely is there a need for anesthesia because it is only a cementation procedure.
Remember, no dental crown procedure is the same for everyone. Before deciding on which type of crown to put, your dentist will consider first the following:
You can also opt for a same-day crown which lasts for only one to two hours. This is usually made of plastic or acrylic.
Just like any dental procedure, dental crowns can also cause problems:
If you experience any of these, call your dentist immediately to resolve them.
It’s also important to note that dental crowns are expected to last for at least five to 15 years, depending on the material used, and how you care for them after the procedure.
Just like you would your natural teeth, your dental crown also needs appropriate care and maintenance. Here are some of them:
Whether you’re in need of major tooth restoration or just want a healthier-looking smile, dental crowns might just be what you need. Your dental crown is tailor-fit to what your teeth need. Make sure to have it properly examined by a dentist to determine what type of crown should be used, and how long the procedure will take. Sometimes, you will have to undergo other procedures first before your crown appointment.
Learn more about Cosmetic Dentistry here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Medically reviewed by
Grazielle Millo-Paderes, DDM, MSc
Dentistry · Unihealth-Parañaque Hospital and Medical Center
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