A General Overview on Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth cap for damaged teeth. Teethteeth can get impaired over time for various reasons such as decay, injury, or normal wear and tear. Due to this, they may lose their shape or size. Dental crowns are placed over these teeth to give them their original look and strength if fillings are not viable. They are usually cemented permanently to cover the noticeable part of the tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dentists utilize a variety of materials to create crowns. They include:

• Porcelain – these give the best natural color display. Porcelain crowns are the perfect option if you have any metal allergies. However, they may wear down the teeth opposite them.
• Ceramic- like porcelain, ceramic crowns are compatible with your gums and provide a natural look. They are best used for front teeth.
• Metal- Many metals are used in tooth caps you could choose from, including palladium, gold, nickel, and chromium. They rarely crack and have the most extended longevity. Metal crowns can withstand bite pressure and only require removing a small part of your tooth for installation. The only letdown comes from mismatching colors.
• Composite resin- these crowns are cheaper than the rest. Even so, they have a higher chance of cracking and wearing down.
• A combination of materials such as porcelain fused with metal. They are more robust than an all-porcelain crown offering the same authentic look. Still, the metal under the cap can be seen sometimes. Cracks on the porcelain part and wearing f the teeth that come into contact with the crown are still possible. They are most preferred in creating bridges.
• Zirconia

To select the appropriate material, your dentist will consider:

• The function of the tooth to be capped like cutting for incisors
• Colour of your natural teeth
• Where the tooth is placed
• How much of the tooth can be seen with your mouth open
• Quantity of the tooth remaining.

When Do I Need a Crown?

You may need a crown for:

• Excessively worn-down teeth.
• A large cavity that is too big for a filling
• Protection of a tooth after a root canal
• Weakened teeth
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• A missing tooth if you’re getting a dental bridge or tooth implant

What Should I Expect?

The tooth crown procedure will depend on the process your dentist chooses. They can opt for a multi-day or same-day course. A multi-day session takes two visits, while a same-day procedure involves one stop. The dentist will start by examining your oral health, damaged tooth, and the bone around it using x-rays.

A root canal may be performed if any of the following is evident:

• Tooth decay
• Infection
• Injury to the soft tissues that hold blood vessels and nerves.

The dentist will then file the tooth that needs a crown and extract part of the enamel. This step may require anesthetic use. An imprint of your shaved and neighboring teeth will be taken and send to the lab to construct the crown. You may get a temporary crown as you wait for the crown to protect the tooth. This may take several weeks.

After the crown is delivered, you will return for the permanent cementation of the permanent crown. Same-day procedures don’t require the temporary crown. The crown is created in the clinic from a scan of digital photos of your mouth. The process takes two to four hours.

Dental Crown Aftercare

Taking care of the tooth crown after it is installed ensures maintaining its longevity. Here are some insightful tips you can employ:

• Carefully brush your teeth twice a day using toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth.
• Flossing everyday
• Avoiding tough food that may crack the crown
• Investing in a retainer if you clench and grind your teeth during the night.

Contact your dentist if you experience the following:

• A chipped or fractured crown
• Loose-fitting or fallen-out crown
• Sensitivity to cold or hot beverages
• Allergic reactions
• Sore and irritated gums

Suppose you are interested in getting dental crowns in Weston, Toronto, ON, contact King and Weston Dental. We provide comprehensive treatment to our patients. The dentist in Weston, Toronto, ON, will utilize their expertise to address your needs.