Dental Crown
A dental crown, also known as a “dental cap,” is a durable and effective solution used to restore a damaged tooth to its natural shape, size, and function. Crowns are designed to protect the tooth, improve its appearance, and restore its ability to perform essential functions such as chewing and biting. Depending on the situation, a dental crown may be recommended for various reasons, including:
- Supporting a tooth with a large filling when there is insufficient natural tooth structure remaining to support the filling
- Protecting a weak or cracked tooth from further damage or fracturing, particularly when there is significant decay or wear
- Restoring a fractured or broken tooth to its original strength and appearance
- Covering a badly shaped or discolored tooth to improve its aesthetic appearance, giving you a more uniform and natural smile
- Covering a dental implant to provide a realistic and functional tooth replacement
- Attaching a dental bridge to replace one or more missing teeth, helping to restore a complete smile and functionality
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including gold, porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Each material offers different benefits depending on the specific needs of the tooth and its location in your mouth. For example, gold is durable and suitable for back teeth that experience heavy chewing pressure, while porcelain and ceramic crowns are often preferred for front teeth due to their natural appearance. Dr. Bradley will carefully evaluate your dental needs and discuss the most appropriate crown options based on factors such as durability, aesthetics, and the location of the affected tooth.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, and function.
Why do I need a crown and not just a filling?
You need a crown instead of just a filling because the tooth is too damaged or weakened to support a filling on its own. A crown fully covers the tooth to restore its strength, shape, and function, especially if a large portion of the tooth is missing, the tooth has a deep cavity, or there is a crack that could fracture the tooth.
Can I wait on getting the crown?
It’s generally not a good idea to wait on getting a dental crown once it’s recommended. Our office takes intraoral photos of suspicious teeth to monitor progression of the damage and will continue to update you on teeth you wish to wait on treatment for. Delaying the procedure could lead to further damage to the tooth, like cracks or infection, which might require more extensive treatment later on.
How long does it take? | How long does the numbing medication last? | IS there a difference for upper and lower teeth?
The duration of numbing medication after a dental appointment can vary depending on the type of anesthetic used and the area treated. Generally, the numbing effect lasts between 1 to 3 hours, though some people might feel it wear off a bit sooner or later.
For an upper tooth, the numbing will typically affect the teeth, gums, and sometimes parts of the roof of the mouth (palate) in the area the dentist is treating. It’s often a more localized area of numbness. So the numbness from an upper tooth generally wears off quicker, usually within 1 to 3 hours. The maxillary bone is less dense than the lower jaw, so the anesthetic tends to diffuse more quickly, leading to a shorter-lasting effect.
For a lower tooth, the numbing requires a more complex approach, as the bone is denser and the nerves are deeper. The numbing injection for the lower jaw typically affects not only the teeth and gums but also the tongue and lower lip, depending on the specific injection used. The numbness in the lower jaw can last longer, typically 2 to 4 hours. Since the anesthetic has to travel through denser tissue and cover larger areas, the effect tends to last longer.
How long am I in a temporary crown?
A temporary crown is typically worn for about 2 to 3 weeks while your permanent crown is being made. During this time, it helps protect the prepared tooth. Be cautious with crunchy, chewy, sticky, or hard foods to avoid damaging the temporary crown. Your dentist will replace it with the permanent one once it’s ready.
What if my temporary crown breaks or comes out?
If something happens to your temporary crown (like it falls off or breaks), here’s what you should do:
- Use dental adhesive as a temporary fix: If you can’t get to your dentist right away, you can temporarily reattach the crown using toothpaste or Vaseline. Avoid chewing on that side until you can see the dentist.
- Contact your dentist: Call them as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for re-cementing or replacing the temporary crown
- Keep the crown if it’s still intact: If the temporary crown falls off but is still in one piece, try to keep it clean and bring it to your dentist.
- If it’s broken: If the temporary crown is broken or damaged, your dentist may make a new temporary crown or fix it to preserve the space for the permanent crown.
It’s important to get the issue addressed quickly to protect the prepared tooth and ensure your permanent crown fits properly when it’s ready.
“A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, and function.”
- First, I will examine your tooth to decide if a crown is the best solution based on wear, decay, and function.
- “Next, I’ll clean and shape the tooth, removing any decay or damaged parts & rebuild the tooth to properly support the future crown.
- We will take a mold to create a custom crown that fits perfectly.
- We will color match your new crown to match your current tooth color- so it’s hopefully indistinguishable from the other teeth.
“The whole process usually takes two visits: one for preparation and one to place the final crown. A stronger, healthier smile.”
