A tooth can be damaged in a variety of ways. When damage occurs to a tooth, a dental crown may be the treatment plan your doctor recommends. In this post, you will learn how Whiteridge Aesthetic Dentistry will create the perfect crown so you can have the perfect smile. https://www.whiteridgedental.com/what-to-do-if-a-tooth-is-knocked-out/
- Cap a dental implant.
- Cap a root canal.
- A filling too large to fill a tooth.
- It is used to hold a bridge in place.
- Cracked
- Decayed
- Worn down
- Weakened
- Chipped
- Discolored
- Misshapen
Impaired teeth create three problems. First, medically, teeth are exposed to bacteria when that hard protective outer layer is in disrepair. Second, chewing and other functions of the teeth are altered. Third, aesthetically unrepaired teeth are not attractive.
Let’s look deeper into how run-down, uncapped teeth can ruin your overall dental hygiene and even create medical problems.
How A Dental Crown Helps Dental Hygiene
- Protects from hot and cold sensations. Under every tooth, under the gumline, there is a highly sensitive nerve. When that nerve is exposed or irritated, it can be painful. A crown provides insulation from hot and cold food entering our mouths. Hot or cold, can be excruciating when exposed to a raw nerve.
- Aesthetically pleasing. A crown serves a practical purpose by creating the perfect-looking tooth. Your doctor can match the perfect texture and color of your tooth. The end result is a tooth that looks and feels natural.
- Extends the lifespan of the tooth. Depending on genetics and your oral health lifestyle, a tooth wears out. A crown restores the life, duration, and use of the tooth.
- Provides function. Chewing and biting are the primary functions of a tooth. Once a cap is placed, patients find an instant improvement in function.
- Restores worn-down teeth. As mentioned, teeth will wear down for various reasons. When a tooth wears down, a crown will restore it.
Preparing A Tooth For A Crown
A crown is like a snowflake; every crown is different. As a result, your dentist will follow standard procedures and apply those to your tooth.
- An exam with X-rays will determine your need for a crown. Your doctor will create a treatment plan through that examination and the X-rays.
- A local anesthetic is applied to numb all the pain. After a quick, sharp sting, the dentist administers the anesthesia. It usually takes about five minutes, wherein a small portion of your mouth is completely numb to feeling.
- Gum tissues around the tooth are prepared. This preparation is carried out by temporarily pushing the gum away from the tooth. The gum is kept away from the tooth through the procedure. By keeping your gum away from the tooth, your doctor can get an impression of the entire tooth. Remember, for a perfect cap for your tooth, the crown has to be placed on top of your remaining tooth.
- An impression is made of your tooth. With this impression, a mold is made and sent to a dental lab. A perfect replica of your tooth can take two weeks to create at the lab.
- The surface of the tooth is prepared to receive the crown. Your dentist will scrape away a tiny layer of enamel from your tooth. Removing this small amount of enamel makes room for the crown to be placed.
- A temporary crown is placed as you await the creation of a permanent crown from the lab. The temporary crown will protect your tooth from hot and cold food while effectively facilitating chewing.
- Your crown is permanently placed. Your dentist will again push the gums away from the tooth. Once the temporary crown is removed, the permanent crown is placed with a special dental adhesive. Since the dentist carefully pushes your gumline away, it will settle back around the tooth, creating an aesthetic appearance that gives you the perfect tooth.
Materials Used For A Crown
Various materials are used to create a crown. Ceramic is usually the key ingredient used. Ceramic is combined with any of the following compounds. Depending on your needs, there is a crown as a solution. Your doctor will determine the best material to use for your treatment plan.
- Full metal crowns can be lighter than a less durable ceramic crown. As a result, a metal crown preserves more of the tooth. Metal crowns prevent plaque buildup, resist corrosion, and do not absorb foods. Metal crowns are used primarily for large back molars.
- Noble alloys are used to create noble crowns. These alloys must be at least 25% of the crown’s makeup: gold, palladium, silver, and smaller amounts of iridium, ruthenium, and platinum. Most of these alloys are used with ceramic materials to create the crown.
- Titanium can be fused with porcelain to create a crown. The ceramic creates a natural tooth appearance. Titanium fused crowns are effective for patients who habitually grind or clench their teeth. Typically, titanium-based crowns cap back teeth.
- Silica is used as a resin for mechanical purposes. Silica offers a more translucent appearance for a better aesthetic appearance.
- Alumina adds strength to permanent prostheses such as crowns or bridges. This alloy blends well with ceramic for a strong, natural look.
- Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium oxide, a white ceramic compound. Zirconia is more robust than porcelain and even some metal alloys.
- Lithium disilicate crowns are made of silicon and lithium. Lithium disilicate is used as an alloy with ceramic for crowns or as a resin to work or fractures in a tooth.
Why Root Canals Need Crowns
As mentioned, many conditions can create the need for a crown. The treatment plan is more involved when a tooth needs a root canal. Remember that even if a tooth needs a root canal, it may not need a crown.
A root canal can save a tooth. However, for your doctor to remove the decay from your root damaged root, the protective outer layer of your teeth can be compromised.
The objective of the root canal is to remove decaying pulp from the canal that houses the root of your tooth. To perform a root canal, your doctor must drill through the tooth’s protective outer layer. The doctor will also have to reshape and fill your cleaned-out canals.
Your doctor can use a tooth-colored filling to fill the hole left from the drilling. When an area is too large, a crown will be necessary.
A crown is an additional procedure that usually requires a second visit to the dentist’s office.
Potential Complications of A Dental Crown
The dental crown placement is one of the most common procedures your dentist carries out daily. Even though it is routine, it does not mean there can not be complications you should at least be aware of after receiving a crown.
- Sensitivity can occur as your mouth and body adjust to the new crown. See your dentist immediately if you start experiencing any sensitivity.
- Chipped crowns occur just as teeth can get chipped. Remember that a crown can chip years later due to an accident or improper care. See your dentist if this occurs.
- Gum disease is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. Gum disease will be a factor when a crown is placed, and gum disease sets in due to neglect.
- Nerve damage can occur if a nerve is damaged when the crown is placed. Even with a root canal, teeth have nerves that can be damaged. Compression from the cap can traumatize other teeth and surrounding gums.
- Tooth decay can still occur after a crown has been placed. If proper dental hygiene is not given, the same tooth can again form a cavity.
- Bite problems will occur if the crown is not properly placed. The dentist can reset the crown to eliminate the problem.
- Grayed gums are not aesthetically pleasing. Gray gums are caused by the metal from the crown distending behind the gums. The crown and the tooth are healthy, but most people will consult their dentist for cosmetic reasons.
- Sensitivity can occur right away. This may be your body’s way of adjusting to something new. If the sensitivity persists, then call your dentist.
- Cosmetic issues are the result of your dentist not choosing the proper shade or color of the surrounding teeth. Dr. Hepworth and Dr. Sherman have developed the eye of an artist as they place crowns that are an exact match.
- Gum irritation can occur for many reasons. If your gums feel irritated around the gums of a crown, see your doctor so they can make necessary corrections.
- Allergic reactions can occur due to metal found inside a crown. Even rare allergic reactions can occur from other materials that create a crown.
Just remember that Dr. Sherman and Dr. Hepworth are only a phone call away if you experience any complications from a crown.
To prevent complications, Whiteridge Aesthetic Dentistry considers all the following factors before placing a crown:
Patient factors include expectations, ability to maintain dental hygiene, and financial costs.
- Biological factors include caries (when parts of tooth enamel on the outside of the tooth wear out the enamel and can lead to cavities)
- Periodontal health status and periodontal disease risk. Periodontal is the dental term for gums.
- Occlusion or occlusion risk factors consider how teeth line up when biting. The dentist must replace the crown with the previous tooth’s exact shape to allow for a proper bite.
- Mechanical factors are affected by the tooth’s size, width, shape, and previous shape. Your dentist will also evaluate the root size and length. By evaluating the entire tooth, your dentist can create a crown that is the perfect fit.
- Aesthetic factors such as the shape and color of the tooth and the materials used to create the crown will determine the harmony of your new crown.
Serving the Salt Lake Valley, Cottonwood Heights, Mill Creek, Park City, Summit County, Elko, Nevada, West Wendover, Nevada, and Evanston, Wyoming