Everything You Need to Know About Crowns

If you damage a tooth, the crown on tooth procedure is worth considering.  The crown on tooth procedure will restore a tooth's look, shape and function.  It might be necessary to add a crown if you have a large filling within your tooth, a broken tooth or a root canal. Dental crowns, also known as caps, consist of various sturdy substances that protect the teeth from further infection or damage.

Tooth crowns

The crown on tooth procedure also serves the purpose of restoring the tooth and guarding it against additional damage.  Even patients who have misshapen or discolored teeth can benefit from this procedure.  After restoring your tooth with a crown, it will function and look just like a regular tooth.

Placing Dental Crowns

The crown on tooth procedure starts with the application of a local anesthetic.  The dentist will file down the tooth that requires restoration before taking an impression of that tooth and nearby teeth.  The purpose of the impression is to custom-make the final crown.

Dental professionals can ensure that the restorative material for the crown is in accordance with the impression.  The permanent crown suits the shape of the patient's mouth for just the right fit.  The patient will wear a temporary crown until the permanent variety is ready for placement.  The temporary crown guards the tooth during this waiting period.

Do not worry if your temporary crown does not look like what you anticipate of the permanent crown. Your final crown will have the color and shape you desire.  The dentist will put the permanent crown on after removing the temporary one, ensure the fit and bite are ideal and cement the crown into position.

Crown Types

Crowns consist of an array of different materials.  The dentist will help you select the crown material ideal for your tooth.  The metal variety consists of gold.  Metal crowns last quite a long time and does not break or chip.  Nor will they wear down the opposing natural teeth.  The only issue with metal crowns is the gold hue sticks out when you open your mouth to laugh, eat or smile.  Metal crowns are typically for teeth in the back that are less visible when eating/smiling.

Composite crowns are popular thanks to their natural appearance.  This type of crown does not chip as easily as the porcelain variety.  However, composite crowns are more likely to wear during the chewing process. Brushing the teeth with too much pressure or a toothbrush with hard bristles also has the potential to wear away at the composite crown's surface, leading to quicker and easier staining.

In general, porcelain crowns are revered for looking the most natural. Porcelain is more brittle than the composite and metal variety so there is a higher chance of chipping.  This is the logic behind using porcelain crowns toward the front of the mouth as opposed to the back of the mouth where the heaviest chewing occurs.

Call us at (817) 210-4049 for more information from Trophy Smile Studio or to schedule an appointment in our dentist office in Trophy Club.