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Four Benefits of Dental Crowns

Four Benefits of Dental Crowns

by | Mar 23, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

Dental crowns are common tooth restorations that provide full coverage and strength to a vulnerable tooth to prevent cracking, breaking and decay. Dental crowns are made in a dental lab specifically for your teeth and mouth to restore function and aesthetics to your bite.

Dental crowns can be used on their own for a single tooth or in conjunction with other teeth, called dental bridges. Your dentist may have recommended a crown for you, and you may be hesitant because you don’t know why or don’t quite understand the benefit. Below we have summarized the four main benefits of dental crowns and why you might need one. 

Improved Tooth Appearance

A dental crown covers all surfaces of a tooth so it can completely change the appearance of that tooth. Dental crowns are customizable and created specifically for your mouth, so the shade, shape and size are all up to you and your dentist based on what will look best. Dental crowns can be used to fix peg-shaped teeth, internal staining or discolouration and teeth with mild-moderate wear. For a complete smile makeover, your dentist may suggest several crowns to create a commeasurable appearance. 

Provides Stability & Strength

Teeth with large existing dental fillings that are breaking down and even teeth with chips and fractures can benefit from a dental crown. Because a crown covers and protects the entire tooth structure, it acts as a shield for the tooth and offers structural support. When a tooth is prepared for the crown, all existing filling material and decayed tooth structure are removed, leaving only a healthy tooth structure for the dental crown to bond to. 

Dental Crowns Are Long-lasting 

Dental crowns are one of the longest-lasting tooth restoration types. Your dentist will never call a dental crown “permanent,” but if properly cared for and kept clean, it can last ten years or more easily. Still, dental crowns have the possibility of developing cavities around the margins at the gum line, so be sure to take excellent care of your oral health with routine brushing and flossing. Also, make sure to see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. 

Prevents The Need For A Tooth Extraction

A dental crown provides another option to save a tooth if a cavity is large or if a filling is failing before there is no option but to extract. This is particularly important for teeth that have received a root canal treatment. These teeth are fragile and prone to breaking, so a dental crown is essential in saving the tooth. Also, metal crowns are often used for baby teeth when there are large fillings to prevent the premature loss of the baby teeth before the adult teeth erupt. 

If you have any questions about dental crowns, please contact us today to schedule a visit.

Learn When Dental Crowns Are Used For Children

Learn When Dental Crowns Are Used For Children

by | Jan 14, 2020 | Dental | 0 comments

When a child has tooth decay, because the baby tooth is smaller and the nerve and blood supply is quite large for the size of the tooth, the decay can often travel fast into the underlying structure of the tooth, including the nerve and blood supply. Once the decay enters the nerve of the tooth, there is no way to save the tooth without either extracting it or performing a form of root canal treatment and placing a crown on top. If one of these two options is not performed, the tooth will end up having an infection that can be painful to the child and potentially cause problems with the adult tooth underneath. 

Option 1: Extraction

When an extraction is performed, the baby tooth with the deep cavity is removed, and a space maintainer is placed. The space maintainer is used to hold the space for the adult tooth to have enough room to erupt when the time comes. Because adult teeth find their place by resorbing the roots of the baby teeth before them, sometimes the adult tooth may erupt slightly off course if the baby tooth is taken out premature. 

Option 2: Nerve treatment and stainless steel crown

Saving the baby tooth is the ideal solution to a large cavity. A filling is placed that removes all the decay, the nerve and blood supply is treated, and a stainless steel crown is placed on top. This gives the baby tooth more of a chance of staying in place until the adult tooth below is ready to erupt. Placing a crown instead of removing the tooth also allows for adequate function such as chewing and eating.

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The first sign of a cavity is a stained or brown spot, usually between teeth or on the biting surface of a tooth, or a chip to a tooth. If you suspect your child may have a cavity, it is crucial to bring them into the dentist immediately, so it is not left to progress. If you have any questions about cavities, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

What Is A Dental Crown & Do You Need One?

What Is A Dental Crown & Do You Need One?

by | Apr 30, 2018 | Dental | 0 comments

A dental crown is a hollow “cap” that is placed over a prepared tooth to restore the strength, function, and appearance of the tooth.

When are dental crowns needed?

After a root canal

A tooth that underwent root canal treatment is no longer living or vital. While this results in the tooth becoming more brittle and prone to breaking, a dental crown will preserve the strength of the tooth and prevent breakage.

Large fillings

Teeth with large fillings are weaker than a natural tooth. As a result, they are prone to breaking under the forces of chewing. However, a crown restores the strength of these compromised teeth.

Aesthetics

If you have broken, worn, decayed, misshapen or discolored teeth, dental crowns improve the appearance of your smile. However, other tooth replacement options exist as well.

Full mouth rehabilitation

Severely worn teeth due to grinding or erosion need extensive dental treatment. Opening up, or enlarging the bite and restoring the appearance and function of the teeth may require dental crowns to be placed on one, or more teeth.

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Dental bridge

A missing tooth that is replaced with a dental bridge, requires at least one dental crown. A dental crown covers the adjacent teeth on either side, and an artificial tooth fills in the space of the missing tooth.

Types of crowns:

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There are different types of crowns available for you and your dentist to choose from. Some materials that crowns are made of include: gold or other metal alloys, ceramic, composite resin, porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. The location in the mouth, aesthetics and durability are considered when deciding on the best type of crown to use.

How is a dental crown done?

This procedure is done in two separate appointments, giving time for the fabrication of the permanent dental crown.

First visit:

  • The dentist freezes the area first (this may not be necessary if there was a root canal).
  • The tooth is shaved down to make room for the crown to fit over the top.
  • Impressions or a scan of the tooth are taken and sent to the laboratory that makes the dental crown
  • A temporary crown is made and cemented to the tooth.

Second visit:

  • The dentist checks the shape, size, and colour of the crown to ensure it fits your smile perfectly.
  • The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is cemented.
  • The dentist checks your bite to ensure your new crown functions properly.

How to care for your dental crown:

Thorough daily brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. While a dental crown adds strength to a tooth, it is still susceptible to gum disease and decay if not kept clean. Avoid very abrasive or whitening toothpaste that can scratch the crown and cause it to lose its luster. Additionally, ensure that you have regular dental check-ups so your dentist can monitor the health and condition of your teeth and dental work.

If you have any further questions about dental crowns, call us today! We would be happy to answer your questions or book a consultation with a dentist.