Difference Between a Dental Crown and a Dental Cap

Many people use dental crowns and dental caps interchangeably. They are not mistaken. There is no difference between a dental crown and a dental cap. People coined the name ‘cap’ to describe a dental crown because of how it encapsulates a tooth in its use to repair and restore natural teeth.

What Is a Dental Crown?

It is a tooth-shaped porcelain appliance in dentistry that repairs and restores damaged teeth. Dental crowns mimic a natural tooth’s enamel, making it hard to spot the difference when you smile. An oral crown typically encapsulates the entire top part of a tooth, more like it replaces the enamel.

When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?

Patients can get dental crowns for various reasons. The primary purpose of a dental crown is to reinforce a tooth’s structural framework. Any dental issue that affects your teeth’ enamels can merit a dental crown as a reparative solution. As such, you would need to get one if you have:

• A weak tooth – the dental crown will strengthen it and restore its optimal functionality.
• A broken tooth – dental fractures can cause unnecessary pressure on the rest of the healthy teeth. A broken tooth can be fixed with a dental crown.
• A missing tooth – although a dental crown cannot in itself replace your lost tooth, it is a crucial part of dental solutions for replacing teeth. Dental crowns are a significant part of dental bridges and tooth implants that replace missing teeth.
• A big tooth filling – dental fillings repair damaged teeth, sealing them to prevent the re-entry of bacteria. If you receive a sizeable tooth filling, it can compromise the structural framework of your tooth. Your dentist may recommend getting a dental crown to hold the filling in place.
• An unsightly tooth – many dental flaws can make your teeth unappealing, including cracks, chips, stains, and uneven spacing. Dental crowns are sometimes useable as cosmetic solutions, serving as alternatives to dental veneers and composite bonding.

Getting Dental Crowns in King and Weston Dental

The installation process of a dental crown can help you better understand what it is and how it works. When you first visit us in our dental clinic at King and Weston Dental, you will undergo a comprehensive dental exam. The exam allows your attending dentist to identify your dental issues and come up with a suitable treatment plan.

A typical procedure for getting dental crowns requires two separate dental visits unless you are getting same-day dental crowns that do not require too much preparation. On the first visit, our dentists will concentrate on preparing your natural tooth enough to receive the dental crown. First, the dentist numbs your mouth with local anesthesia to increase your comfort levels during dental work. Once the numbing kicks in, the next step entails trimming your tooth enamel. Your dentist in Weston, Toronto, will shave off some of your tooth enamel, using a dental drill or a laser tool. The goal is to remove all the damaged tooth structure while making room for the dental crown.

After preparing your tooth enamel, your dentist will take the impressions of the tooth. The impressions will be the measurements that will guide the dentist when developing your dental crowns, which happens in a dental laboratory. Since the process takes some time, usually about two weeks, your dentist will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

The following dental visit will concern the installation of your new permanent crown. The procedure is called dental bonding, which entails using dental cement on the tooth crown to adhere to your natural tooth.

Can You Get a Dental Crown with a Missing Tooth?

The only way for a dental crown to stay put in your mouth is with support from your natural teeth. Therefore, if you have lost a tooth, your dentist will need to replace it before placing a dental crown. The process entails surgery to receive a tooth implant. The implants comprise a titanium metal post erected in your jawbone, replacing the tooth root. After that procedure, you can now receive a dental crown over the tooth implant.