Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a great option if you want to repair teeth that are damaged, worn down, or discolored. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, doctors provide their patients with over 2.3 million implant-supported crowns in the United States annually, highlighting the widespread use and effectiveness of dental crowns.

Dental crowns are known as artificial teeth or “caps” that dentists often use to cover damaged teeth. These crowns do not require special care over time but can protect weak or broken teeth.

Interestingly, manufacturers can make these crowns from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramics, and metals such as gold. The dentist receives the new crowns from the dental lab in about 2-3 weeks.

During your second visit, your dentist places the new crown through the following steps:

Many people choose dental crowns because of their amazing benefits and advantages. Here are the most important benefits:

• Add more attractiveness to the appearance of irregular or stained teeth.
• Provide additional support to teeth that are damaged, discolored, or decayed.
• Offer extra protection to your teeth after root canal or pulp treatment.
• Keep cracked or broken parts of teeth intact.
• Maintain the stability of dental bridges or cover implant sites if you have any.
• Enjoy a brighter and more attractive smile.

Your first visit to the dentist will focus on preparing to receive the appropriate crowns or dental caps for you. Your dentist may do the following:

• Take X-rays to assess the condition of the tooth roots and surrounding bone.
• Perform root canal treatment if your tooth has severe decay.
• Prepare your teeth for the crown by reshaping and filling them with certain materials.
• Create a mold of the tooth and send it to the dental lab for crown fabrication.
• Determine the shade of the porcelain crown to closely match the color of your other teeth.
• Make a temporary acrylic crown to cover and protect the tooth while the final crown is being made.

The dentist receives the new crowns from the dental lab in about 2-3 weeks. During your second visit, your dentist places the new crown through the following steps:

1. Removing the temporary crown
   First, your dentist removes the temporary crown that was placed during the first visit and also checks the color and shape of the permanent crown.
2. Anesthesia
   If everything is going according to plan, your dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the tooth.
3. Placement
   Finally, your dentist begins to fix the permanent crown in place over the tooth.

The recovery phase after getting permanent crowns or dental caps usually takes a few days and may include the following:

• Maintain good oral hygiene and avoid sticky foods that can get trapped under the crowns.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks as well as hard foods that can crack the crowns.
• Brush your teeth properly, especially after meals, to prevent enamel damage.
• Use fluoride mouthwash and a toothbrush to clean around the crowns.
• If your dentist provides a retainer, use it to maintain the stability of the crowns and surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns offer many benefits but also have some drawbacks you should be aware of, such as:

• A dark line appearing near the gum line of the tooth.
• Allergic reactions to metal or porcelain crowns.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Cracking or breaking of porcelain crowns.
• Gum disease.
• The crown becoming loose.
• The crown falling off.
• Feeling discomfort.