What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are a tooth-shaped cap used by dentists to cover either damaged or weak teeth to help restore its size, shape, or appearance. They can be quite useful in improving the look of one’s teeth, and can protect teeth from further damage until permanent repairs can be made. This article contains basic facts about dental crowns, how to take care of dental crowns, and what kind of problems can arise with crowns.

When Should I Get A Dental Crown?

There are a number of scenarios where crowns are the right fix. Some crowns are used to protect breaking or cracked teeth, or to hold together parts of teeth that have broken apart. Crowns can also help restore already broken teeth, or teeth that have been severely worn down. Teeth that have large filling without a lot of actual “tooth” left might also require crowns to ensure that more damage does not take place.

Crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes. They can be used to cover unsightly dental bridges or misshapen, discolored teeth. Since crowns are made to look like actual teeth, they can give patients a clean, flawless smile.

What Kind of Crowns Can I Get?

Dental crowns are most commonly made from metals, ceramic, and porcelain fused to metal. All of them have their benefits and drawbacks.

• Metals

Some of the metals used in dental crowns include gold allow, paladium, nickel, and chromium. These crowns are some of the more durable crowns, able to withstand extended biting and chewing. These types of metals are also the least like to chip or fall of teeth. The drawback to metal crowns is their metallic color, and are most commonly used on teeth in the back of the mouth.

• Porcelain fused to Metal

While these crowns look more like actual teeth than metal crowns, they can cause a lot of wear and tear on surrounding teeth. Since the crown is part porcelain, it is also more likely to chip than metals.

• Ceramic or Porcelain

These crowns provide the most natural-looking teeth. They’re often used as substitutes foe patients with allergies to metals. While they’re not as strong as metal-infused crowns, they can repair damages to front teeth without causing discoloration.

Should I get a Temporary or Permanent Crown?

Temporary crowns are much simpler to get than permanent crowns since these crowns can be made in dental offices. Temporary crowns are most typically only used until permanent crowns can be constructed in a dental laboratory. It is important to be careful while using temporary crowns as they are not as strong as permanent crowns and can damage easily.

Once I get My Temporary Crown, how do I Take Care of it?

Temporary crowns require a few precautions. They are easily damaged and be very painful if broken or chipped. To ensure that your temporary crown is taken care of:

• Avoid sticky or chewy foods. Foods such as gum, caramel, taffy, or toffee can pull on or remove the crown off the tooth, particularly caps. Stick to foods that are easy on the teeth and are easy to remove with brushing and flossing.
• Try to avoid chewing with crowned teeth, at least temporarily. Try chewing with the other side of your mouth to avoid wearing down your crown too quickly.
• Avoid hard foods such as crunch vegetables or ice cubes. These foods have the potential to break your crown or remove it from your tooth altogether.
• Instead of flossing up and down and removing your floss at the tops of your teeth, floss side to side and remove the floss by sliding it out of your teeth sideways.

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