A damaged or decayed tooth can ruin your confidence and your oral health. A dental crown is a common and effective way to restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. It is a custom-fitted cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, right down to the gumline.
What Is A Dental Crown Used For?
Crowns are flexible and can fix problems with both the look and the structure of your teeth.
Some common reasons people get dental crowns are:
- Restoring a broken or severely worn-down tooth: If a tooth is cracked or missing a large piece, a crown can hold it together and make it look like it did before.
- Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling: When a cavity is too big for a regular filling, a crown gives the tooth the support it needs to stay together.
- Protecting a weak tooth from fracturing: Teeth that have had a root canal are often more likely to break easily. A crown can keep these teeth from getting hurt again.
- Holding a dental bridge in place: In traditional dental bridges, crowns are put on the teeth next to a gap to hold the bridge in place.
- Covering a dental implant: The last piece that is placed on a dental implant is the crown, which makes a replacement tooth that works and looks natural.
- Improving the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth: For cosmetic reasons, a crown can make a tooth that doesn’t match the rest of your smile look a lot better by covering it.
Types Of Dental Crowns
Crowns can be made from various materials, and the best option will be recommended based on the tooth’s location, function, and your personal preference.
Crowns made entirely of porcelain or ceramic offer the closest color match to your neighboring teeth. They are an excellent choice for front teeth, where appearance is a top priority. However, they may not be as strong as metal crowns and can be more prone to wearing down opposing teeth.
These crowns offer a combination of strength and aesthetics. A metal substructure provides durability, while a porcelain layer on top is matched to your tooth color. The main disadvantage is that the metal underlying the porcelain can sometimes show as a dark line at the gumline, especially if your gums decrease.
Crowns made from gold alloys, palladium, or base-metal alloys are incredibly strong and prone to breaking. They are gentle on opposing teeth and require less of your natural tooth structure to be removed. Because of their metallic color, they are most often used for molars in the back of the mouth.
Resin crowns are the most affordable option, but they are also the least durable. They are more likely to wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than other types of crowns. They are often used as a temporary solution while a permanent crown is being made.
What To Expect During The Procedure
Getting a dental crown typically requires two visits
First Visit: Preparation & Impressions
During your first visit, we will examine and prepare the tooth. This could mean getting x-rays to look at the tooth’s roots and the bone around them. The enamel will then be filed down to make room for the crown, which will change the shape of the tooth.
After the tooth is reshaped, a putty-like substance is used to make an impression of it. The dental lab will use this impression as a guide to make your permanent crown. When the tooth is ready, a temporary crown will be placed over it to protect it while the permanent one is being made. This usually takes two to three weeks.
Second Visit: Placing The Permanent Crown
The temporary crown is taken off at your second visit. Afterward, the crown’s fit and color will be checked. The new crown is permanently stuck in place if everything looks good.
How To Care For Your Dental Crown
With proper maintenance, a dental crown can last for between five and 15 years. The success of a crown depends on proper oral hygiene and avoiding habits that could damage it.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. You need to pay special attention to the area where the gum meets the crown. This helps prevent decay and gum disease.
- Avoid hard foods: Avoid chewing on hard items like ice or hard candy, which can damage your crown.
- Address teeth grinding: If you grind or squeeze your teeth at night, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your crown and natural teeth.
Why Choose Beyond Smiles Dental For Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings may be common, but the way they are planned and placed makes a difference in long-term comfort and tooth protection. Beyond Smiles Dental takes a thoughtful approach to restorative care, focusing on early treatment, conservative repair, and materials that support a natural-looking result whenever possible.
For patients in Pineville, NC, this means receiving care that is centered on preserving your smile, protecting your oral health, and helping you feel confident in your treatment. Whether you need a new filling or want an existing restoration evaluated, Beyond Smiles Dental provides clear guidance and attentive care from start to finish.
