We’ve all heard of dental crowns at one time or another. You may have heard about it from your dentist Parramatta or learned about it in school as a fix to one or more dental problems. Whatever the case, the dental crown remains one of the most sought after methods for correcting common tooth problems such as gaps and worn out enamel.
Admittedly, a dental crown is one of the best ways to prolong the life of your tooth even if it has started suffering some damage. Before choosing a dental crown, you need first to know what it is and when you can use it.
Below is some information about dental crowns that will come in handy when seeking a dental solution.
What’s a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made “cap” used to cover the surface of your tooth to restore its structure, aesthetics, functions, or a combination of any of the three. Usually, it covers the entire tooth from the gum line. They come in different materials, including metals like gold, and porcelain, among other metal alloys like Palladium.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
You may consider tooth crowning for cosmetic or functional reasons. In many cases, you’ll find that people choose dental crowns for both purposes.
Here’s the breakdown of the two.
1. Functional Reasons
Tooth function is the main reason why most people go for dental crowns. They’re mostly recommended in the following cases.
Protect Weakened Teeth – In case your tooth is cracked, a dentist would recomend a dental crown to hold the broken parts firmly together. It protects the tooth from further damage and keeps it in good shape.
Dental Implant – Although dental implant doesn’t involve crowning, a dentist would recommend them as a protection for an implant.
Restore Strength Following Root Canal Treatment – Soon after root canal treatment, your teeth may become weak and brittle. To address the issue, a dental crown can is used to cover them.
2. Cosmetic Reasons
If tooth whitening can’t remove the stains on your teeth, dental crowns will come in handy. Your dentist will recommend a dental crown that has the same colour as your teeth so that they’re not easily noticeable. Some people also wear coloured dental crowns for style, with gold and silver as the most sought after.
The Procedure of Getting a Dental Crown
Once a dentist has prescribed a dental crown as the best solution to your dental problem, it’s time to undergo the procedure. But what does it involve? Before doing anything on your tooth, your dentist Parramatta will use an anaesthetic to numb the tooth to be crowned and the gum tissue surrounding it. From here, your dentist will use a dental drill and an abrasive bur to shape up the tooth to create enough room for the crown. If, however, the tooth isn’t big enough, the dentist will add a build-up to increase the size of your tooth so that it can firmly hold the dental crown.
Because there is no readily available crown that will fit your tooth, your dentist must first use a digital scanner or an impression paste to create an impression of your tooth. The impression will be sent to the lab where an expert will make a dental crown the shape and size of the provided impression. The process may take two to three weeks. As you await the making of the dental crown, the dentist will cover the tooth with a temporary crown. Once the crown is ready, the dentist will use some special cement to affix it to the tooth, and that’s it.
Whether you’re using it for cosmetic reasons, or restoring the size, colour, or structure your tooth, a dental crown is a sure way to get a beautiful smile.
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