What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are also called dental caps. Dental crowns cover the whole tooth to from the chewing surface to the gums. They are usually made of dental ceramic materials but could also be made of gold alloy or a porcelain fused to metal. Dental crowns are needed on teeth that have had a root canal or have a large cavity destroying most of the teeth or have broken cusps.
What are the alternatives to dental crowns?
When truly needed, Dental crowns almost have no other alternative to them. However, if the tooth is in somewhat good enough condition, a dental onlay or a ¾ crown, which is a partial covering of a natural tooth. Dental onlay could also be used instead of the large filling.
What types of dental crowns are there?
Dental crown types depend on how long they will be worn and who they are made for. There are children's dental crowns that are for baby teeth. These come in silver color and tooth-colored materials. Then there are adult crowns. The permanent crowns can be very beautiful and natural where their appearance is of the outmost importance. There are also permanent crowns that are made for strength and endurance such as in back teeth areas. Another type of crown adults made need to wear is a temporary crown which protects the tooth while the dentist and the lab create the permanent crown. In summary, the type of dental crowns will depend on the position in the mouth, who they are made for, how long they are to be used and material they are made of.
What different materials are used in dental crowns and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Dental crowns could be made of different materials depending on the tooth positions in the mouth and on dentist/patient preference. Front teeth often are made of esthetic type of dental ceramic material that mimics the best surrounding natural teeth. Back teeth need more strength due to chewing forces and could be made of strong dental ceramic (zirconia) or variety of metal alloys. When crowns are made of dental ceramics they look like teeth matching the colors of surrounding teeth. When crowns are made of metal alloys they could look like white metal or gold color.
Advantages of tooth-colored crowns are that they look very natural and blend well with the surrounding teeth. Front teeth made of esthetic ceramic materials could be more fragile and might need to have a night guard fabricated to protect them from fracturing during sleep and strenuous work. Advantages of strong ceramic material on the back teeth are that they are very robust and will support even very hard biting forces. However, they require more tooth reduction than a metal crown to ensure its strength. Metal alloys dental crowns like gold alloys and base metal alloys usually do not require as much tooth reduction but do not blend with surrounding natural teeth in color. Gold alloy crowns considered a "golden standard" and tend to last the longest. If you are prone to allergies or sensitivities to inexpensive jewelry, metal alloy crowns could cause the localized allergic reaction manifesting in red irritated swollen gums around the crown.
Is a dental crown necessary after root canal treatment?
Dental crown is very important after the root canal treatment. During root canal treatment the nerve is removed from inside of the tooth that makes tooth prone to recurrent infections if not protected properly. In some cases, root canal treatment leaves teeth thinner and more vulnerable to fracture. That is why it is very important to cover teeth with dental crowns as soon as possible after the root canal treatment. If teeth were not covered with dental crowns within 4-6 months after the root canal treatment their longevity reduces significantly.
Can you explain the dental crown procedure?
Dental crowns procedure takes from one to two appointments, depending on the dentist's preference and work style. First appointment is the longer appointment. During this time the decay is removed from the tooth and replaced with the filling which in this case called build up. Then tooth is reduced in size to fit the future dental crown. The natural tooth reduction could be from 1 to 2 mm depending on the material that will be used to make dental crown. At the end of this procedure final impression is made of the remaining prepared teeth. Final impression or the mold could be a physical impression taken with impression material and impression tray when patient needs to bite down on the tray. Nowadays it is common to take impressions of teeth in the form of digital impressions. Digital impression is taken with a specific type of oral camera, and the digital impression is then emailed to the dental laboratory or fabricated in the dentist's office. Some dentists make permanent crown in their offices and cement permanent dental crown on the same day, hence the name "same day crown". Other offices send digital or physical impressions to a dental laboratory. In this case, a temporary crown is made from acrylic material to wear for 2 weeks after which the permanent crown is cemented or bonded to the tooth.
Does the dental crown placement hurt?
The dental crown placement is not painful. We make sure that teeth and gums are numb. In case if tooth waking up in the middle of the procedure, we add more numbness to ensure patient is very comfortable. Patient communication is very important, and we always encourage you to let us know if anything is needed.
Are there any consequences for getting a tooth crown?
Dental crowns are placed on compromised teeth that are missing part of the natural tooth structure and can't safely function on their own. We reinforce teeth by making dental crowns to help keep teeth as long as possible. The consequence of not having a dental crown when needed is the loss of a tooth. Occasionally, the consequence of dental crown on a tooth that had not had root canal is to cause the nerve to die and need for a root canal after the crown is done.
Is it worth putting children's teeth in crowns?
Children's baby teeth can have stainless steel crowns after the nerve has been removed caused by deep advanced cavities. It is good practice to place stainless steel crowns on baby teeth after removal of very deep cavities. We are trying not to crown adult teeth at a young age until children are older. Rapid growth will cause teeth, gums and jaw bones to change and will alter the position of dental crown that has been placed too early in life.
Do crowns look like normal teeth?
Most of the dental crowns now days look like natural teeth and if done correctly with the right dental material they blend almost seemingly with the rest of the natural teeth.
Can you get cavities on crowned teeth?
You can get cavities on crowned teeth. Usually, cavities form in the area between the dental crowns and the gums. The cavities are always on the natural tooth structure and not on the crown itself. The most common places for the tooth cavities to form under the crown are in the flossing areas between the teeth where the food and bacteria are impacted or along the gums on the check side. The cavities under the crowns on the cheek side are often related to the gum recessions and exposure of the root of the tooth.
How should I take care of my dental crown?
Dental crowns should be brushed and flossed like natural teeth to avoid the food, plaque and bacterial build up. It will reduce chances of decay under the dental crowns and prolong the life of dental crowns.
How Long Can You Expect a Dental Crown to Last?
Dental crowns last for many years if not decades if done correctly. I personally observed old gold crowns lasting for 40 to 50 years. Ceramic dental crowns that are tooth-colored crowns last for many years as well if done correctly and cleaned by the patient daily.
Does insurance cover dental crowns?
Dental insurance covers dental crowns at 40-60% of insurance customary fees.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?
If you suspect or have been told that you need a dental crown, please come for an evaluation appointment to diagnose and confirm your dental need.
If you have additional questions or if you're ready to take action, please give us a call at (360) 800-2372. We're here to help!