What is a dental crown, why would you need one, and what is the process like? Find out in this complete guide on what to expect from your dental crown procedure.

Keeping your mouth healthy and natural-looking isn't about vanity but necessity. With earning potential being tied to appearance (especially of teeth) it's increasingly important to consider the value of preventative dentistry.

This means learning more about dental crowns and especially the natural-looking porcelain crowns. The procedure to get a crown placed is somewhat involved, and can be pricey, but pays dividends in terms of confidence and health.

A dedicated team of oral health professionals such as those at Edgewater Dental work to keep your mouth in top shape. This means cutting out the bad parts, shoring up the salvageable bits, and making everything look as good as possible.

Check out this overview of the what and why of dental crowns and details on the choices in crowns on the market today.

All Things Dental Crowns

Though a standard go-to and a somewhat older dental procedure, dental crowns pack a lot of versatility. Crowns offer cosmetic upgrades to existing teeth, act as anchors for bridges, and protect existing teeth to enhance overall oral health.

Dental crowns come in a variety of materials that provide different levels of durability and usability. They also come in at different price points, which helps accommodate a variety of patients and their specific needs.

Pre-Process

Before a dentist applies a dental crown, they assess the damage to the mouth and the surrounding teeth. Because the crown locks on top of an existing tooth, or a dental implant post, the anchor beneath needs to be in stable shape.

Putting a crown on top of a bad tooth will lock in the not-freshness and the tooth will decay rapidly.

To ensure that the best care is being offered, expect to undergo a round of imaging. Even if you've recently been to a dentist to get a full set of mouth imaging done, a crown often requires an updated scan. This scan is partially to confirm damage to the target tooth and partially for purposes of casting a crown.

If a target section of the mouth is too fragile or the gap left by a tooth, especially a molar, is too big, the dentist may explain the advantages of a bridge over a set of crowns. Bridges come in many of the same materials as crowns but offer a larger area of coverage, learn more here.

Procedure

Once your dentist understands the damage that needs to be dealt with, the procedure begins.

First, the anchor tooth is repaired or otherwise cared for. This may be a root canal to clear up damage in the root, a filling to protect the pulp, or descaling to ensure a tight bond with the crown. Given that most adults have 3.28 teeth with extensive damage , you'll expect a few crown procedures.

Afterward, the tooth is shaved and shaped into a post that will make better contact with a crown. For a partial crown or veneer, as they are sometimes called, shaping of the tooth isn't necessary.

Getting a crown is often a two-visit process. The first visit takes care of the damage to the tooth and a temporary crown gets applied. The temporary crown offers protection but isn't as durable or as visually appealing as the permanent will be.

Some dental offices offer a single-visit permanent crown that is produced while you wait. Dentists craft these crowns using sophisticated software and a machine that etches the crown out of a block of ceramic material.

Typically, you'll return to the office in a few weeks after the cast porcelain crown (or other material) comes back from the manufacturer.

Care

Caring for a temporary crown between visit one and visit two is crucial. Losing a temporary crown isn't pleasant and risks damage to the underlying tooth you just had fixed.

It's recommended that you brush gently twice a day and floss in a side to side instead of upward motion. This will lower the chances that something snags and pulls off the existing temporary crown.

A temporary crown attaches with less dental adhesive and is far weaker than a permanent dental crown. That's good for you in terms of pain and speed when getting the permanent attached.

Lifecycle

The longevity of a crown depends a lot on the material, the fit, and your level of care. Still, crowns are expected to last 5-15 years overall.

Let's take a look at the types of dental crown material available today with notes on their look, cost, and durability.

Materials

Composite resin is on the cheap side for dental crowns. These resins offer good resistance to decay and wear but their particulate nature means they come loose more often than other materials. Resins cover a large category of crowns, so expect to see many types listed.

Zirconia crowns provide excellent strength and durability. In lifecycle modeling tests, they stand at the top of the pack. Zirconia also comes with a hefty price tag.

Metal crowns include a wide variety of materials, some on the cheaper side, others, such as gold, are on the high price side. Metal crowns may be applied as the whole crown or bound to a porcelain shell.

Gold crowns are the most expensive and rival zirconia for their longevity. They also appeal to some people as an aesthetic, still, they are better used for large biting surfaces such as molars and premolars.

Ceramic crowns offer middling quality, more durable than resin, and less prone to chip than porcelain but less durable than metals. Ceramic materials are currently the only ones that are used for same-day or one-visit crowns. Ceramic comes in many colors that can match the surrounding teeth well.

Porcelain crowns are the most natural-looking of materials. They can be pricey over time as they are also prone to chipping. Chips are repairable without replacement which can be a factor for some.

Porcelain crowns shape well and also are produced in many shades to match surrounding teeth.

Learn More

Most people need a few crowns applied in their lifetime. The resilience and strength of dental crowns make them a solid choice for maintaining health and bite shape.

If you’re looking for a Dental Crown provider, and other dental procedures, don't hesitate to contact Edgewater Dental today.

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