Dental crowns and bridges

WHAT ARE DENTAL CROWNS?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits snugly over the entire visible part of your natural tooth. It is not just a cosmetic solution but a strong and durable restoration that restores the original shape, size, strength, and appearance of your tooth.
These crowns are made from different materials, each with its own advantages. They are cemented onto your existing tooth, becoming a new, sturdy outer surface. Once placed, the dental crown looks and feels like one of your natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A DENTAL CROWN?

Severely damaged tooth: When decay is too extensive for a filling, a crown can protect the remaining tooth structure and prevent further decay or breakage.
Cracked or broken tooth: Sometimes a part of the tooth breaks while chewing. A crown can hold the remaining pieces together and restore the tooth’s integrity.
Tooth after root canal treatment: After root canal therapy, the tooth may become brittle. The crown provides the necessary strength and protection to prevent breaking.
Worn tooth: Over time, teeth can wear down due to grinding (bruxism) or other habits. A crown can restore the tooth’s original height and function.
Deformed or severely discolored tooth: If the tooth is significantly smaller, oddly shaped, or has a major color change that doesn’t respond to whitening, a crown can improve its appearance.
To support a dental bridge: A dental bridge replaces missing teeth. Crowns are placed on the adjacent healthy teeth to anchor the bridge.
To cover a dental implant: An implant is an artificial tooth root. After implant placement, a crown is attached to create a natural-looking replacement tooth.

PROCEDURE FOR PLACING DENTAL CROWNS: STEP BY STEP

Considering getting a crown can seem a bit intimidating, but understanding the process can ease your concerns. Here’s an overview of what you can generally expect during the dental crown procedure:

Step 1: Examination and Preparation
First, your dentist will thoroughly examine your tooth, likely taking X-rays to assess the roots and surrounding bone. This ensures there are no underlying issues such as infection or extensive decay.
Once it is determined that a crown is the right treatment, the tooth needs to be prepared. This involves reshaping the tooth so that the crown can properly fit over it. Generally, the dentist will remove some of the outer layers of the tooth from all sides and the top.
Local anesthesia is usually administered to numb the area so you don’t feel pain during preparation.

Step 2: Taking Impressions
After the tooth is prepared, your dentist will take impressions (molds) of your teeth. These impressions can be made using a putty-like material or digitally with an intraoral scanner.

Step 3: Temporary Crown
While your permanent crown is being made in the lab (usually takes one to two weeks), your dentist will place a temporary crown on your prepared tooth.
This temporary crown is typically made of acrylic and is cemented with temporary cement.
The temporary crown protects the prepared tooth, helps maintain your bite, and ensures you can still eat and speak relatively normally. However, temporary crowns are not as strong as permanent ones, so you should be careful with what you eat and how you clean your teeth.

Step 4: Placement of the Permanent Crown
Once your handcrafted permanent crown is ready, you will return to the dental clinic for final placement.
Your dentist will first remove the temporary crown. Then, they will carefully place the permanent crown on your prepared tooth to check the fit, shape, and color. They will ensure it properly aligns with your bite and looks natural next to your other teeth.
If everything looks and feels right, the permanent crown will be cemented onto your tooth using permanent adhesive.

Step 5: Final Adjustments and Care Instructions
After the crown is cemented, your dentist will perform any necessary checks to ensure a comfortable and correct bite. You will also receive instructions on how to care for your new crown, which is very similar to caring for your natural teeth: regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups.

TYPES OF DENTAL CROWNS

Dental crowns are not one-size-fits-all. They are made from different materials, each offering varying strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility. Here are several types of crowns:

PORCELAIN-FUSED-TO-METAL CROWNS:

These crowns have a metal base covered with a porcelain layer. They offer a good balance between strength and aesthetics. The metal provides durability, while the porcelain can match the color of your natural teeth. However, sometimes the metal underneath can show as a dark line near the gum line, especially as gums recede over time.

ALL-PORCELAIN OR CERAMIC CROWNS (METAL-FREE)

These crowns are made entirely of porcelain or ceramic materials. They provide the most natural appearance because they closely mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth. They are an excellent choice for front teeth, where aesthetics are most important. Materials like zirconia and E-max are popular all-ceramic crowns known for their strength and durability.

ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL CROWNS

Choosing a dental crown comes with many benefits that go beyond just repairing a damaged tooth. Here are some key advantages:

Restoration of tooth function: Crowns allow you to bite, chew, and speak comfortably and effectively, just like a natural, healthy tooth.
Protection of weakened teeth: They provide a strong protective layer over cracked, broken, or severely damaged teeth, preventing further damage and possible tooth loss.
Support for damaged teeth: For teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, crowns provide the necessary support to prevent brittleness and fractures.
Improved aesthetics: Crowns can dramatically improve the appearance of deformed, discolored, or worn teeth, giving you a confident smile.
Durability and longevity: With proper care, dental crowns can last many years, making them a worthwhile long-term investment in your oral health.

CARE FOR YOUR DENTAL CROWN

Once you have a dental crown, caring for it is crucial to ensure its longevity and the health of the tooth and gums underneath. The good news is that caring for dental crowns is very similar to caring for your natural teeth:

Brush regularly: Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay extra attention to the area where the crown meets the gum line.
Use dental floss or interdental brushes daily: Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles between teeth and around the edges of the crown—areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
Use an antimicrobial mouthwash: Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash can further help control bacteria in your mouth.
Avoid hard and sticky foods: Although crowns are strong, biting very hard foods (like ice or hard candies) or sticky foods (like caramel) can potentially damage or dislodge them.