Dental Crown Procedure
What is a Dental Crown?
If you have been dealing with a weak or damaged tooth, it is very likely your dentist has spoken with you about dental crowns. Dental crowns are a great option to protect and heal your damaged teeth. Think of it like a helmet. It is an artificial tooth-shaped cap that is fitted over a weak or decaying tooth to protect it, just like a helmet. Crowns are made to mimic the shape, color, and size of natural teeth and can be made of various materials such as porcelain, gold, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or ceramic. On average, a crown can range anywhere between $500 to $3,000, depending on the material, insurance, and overall treatment plan.
What are Dental Crowns Used for?
There are a number of reasons a dentist will recommend a dental crown. A crown can be used to repair a weak or decaying tooth, to attach a dental bridge, fix a misshapen tooth, or restore a dental implant, to correct a misaligned tooth, or improve or fix the appearance of an existing tooth.
What to Expect from a Dental Crown Procedure
The process of getting a dental crown is often spread out over two visits to the dentist. At the first appointment, your dentist will start by examining your tooth, then take X-rays to determine if any additional work is required, such as a root canal, before the cap is placed. Next, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the cap, oftentimes by shaping or filing it down, depending on the material of the crown or the severity of the damaged tooth. Then, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth and send that off to a lab where a permanent crown is made. While you wait for the permanent crown to be ready, the dentist will put in a temporary one. At the second appointment, the dentist will remove your temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one, and cement it in place.
How Do You Care for a Dental Crown?
Caring for your crown is essential for it to last and perform to its full potential. See below for some helpful tips:
- Floss all of your teeth daily. Make sure to gently floss between each tooth while curving the floss into a ‘C’ shape around the crown, while rubbing up and down to get below the gumline.
- Be very gentle with your teeth and gums when brushing.
- Avoid hard foods like hard nuts, candy, or ice.
- Do not grind your teeth. If you do so at night, talk to your dentist about a night guard.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
The longevity of a dental crown depends on a few factors. While they are unlikely to last a lifetime, if they are properly cared for, they can last between 15 and 30 years. Because everyone has a different diet and dental hygiene routine, there is no guaranteed length of time a crown can last. If you do want to get as much time out of it as you can, it’s very important to maintain good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), reduce eating very hard foods, and wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw.
If you are considering a dental crown, please do not hesitate to contact the office to schedule an appointment with the dentist. It is important to choose the right dental crown for aesthetic reasons, but most importantly, functionality.
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