What is Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores a decayed, broken, weak or worn-down tooth. Dentists also use crowns to cover dental implants and root canal-treated teeth. Made from a variety of materials, including metal, resin and porcelain, crowns last between five and 15 years with proper care.

Dental crowns, also known as caps, are versatile restorations designed to protect, strengthen, and enhance the appearance of damaged teeth. Whether your tooth is cracked, extensively decayed, or has undergone a root canal, a dental crown can restore both function and aesthetics.

Dental crowns are suitable for various situations, including:

• Severe Decay. When a tooth has significant decay that a filling can’t adequately restore.
• Cracked or Fractured Teeth. Can hold together fractured teeth, preventing further damage.
• Root Canal Treatment. Often placed after a root canal to strengthen the treated tooth.
• Cosmetic Enhancement. Can improve the appearance of misshapen, discolored, or irregularly sized teeth.

Typically, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a layer of its outer surface. The crown will be the same thickness as the layer that was removed.

The dentist takes a mold of the tooth and sends it to a technician who will prepare the crown. It can frequently be matched to the color of the surrounding teeth, allowing it to blend in.

You may be offered a temporary crown to wear until your permanent crown is prepared.

When the permanent crown is complete, the dentist secures it in place with dental cement or adhesive.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Every day, floss between your teeth.
• To keep dental plaque and hazardous bacteria at bay, use an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Avoid foods that are excessively hard, crunchy, or chewy.
• Ask your dentist about wearing a bespoke mouth guard if you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism).
• Maintain regular dental cleanings and examinations.

What is the recovery period after a Dental Crown Procedure?

It’s common to feel sensitive for a few weeks, especially to heat and cold.

You may also have discomfort or tenderness in the gums surrounding the treated tooth.

These side effects are common and should subside within a few days. To alleviate any discomfort, you can use over-the-counter pain medicines (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen).

Advantages of Dental Crowns

• Strengthened Teeth. Crowns provide reinforcement for weakened or damaged teeth, preventing further deterioration.
• Aesthetic Enhancement. Crowns offer a natural appearance, concealing imperfections and harmonizing with surrounding teeth.
• Restored Functionality. With a crown in place, you can bite, chew, and speak comfortably and effectively.
• Durability. Crowns are made from materials that withstand the forces of chewing, providing long-lasting protection.

Dental crowns come in a variety of styles. The type that is best for you is determined by your particular tastes and specific oral health requirements

• Pressed Ceramic Crown. A firm inner core is present in a pressed ceramic crown. It’s comparable to a PFM, however the core is ceramic rather than metal.

• Ceramic or Porcelain. All-ceramic or porcelain crowns most closely resemble the appearance of tooth enamel. They’re also a wonderful option if you’re allergic to metals.

• Metal Coronets. Dental crowns are made from a variety of metals, including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. Metal crowns are the most durable in terms of wear and only require a minor amount of enamel removal. They are also resistant to biting and chewing forces.

• Crowns made of Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM). PFM crowns combine the durability of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain. Dentists can adapt the color of these crowns to your own teeth.

• Same-day Dental Crowns. Many dentists employ CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technology in their offices to build crowns while you wait. This software enables your dentist to take digital dental imprints of your teeth, which he or she can then use to construct a personalized crown. Once your dentist has designed your crown, the image files will be sent to an on-site milling machine. Your new crown will be made by the machine from a solid block of ceramic.

• All-Resin Crowns. Dental crowns made out of resin are generally less expensive than other types of crowns. But they’re fragile and more likely to break compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns.

What are the benefits of having Dental Crowns?

The most obvious benefit of a dental crown is that it can extend the life of a natural tooth. Crowns, in particular, can be the following.

• Treat teeth that are worn, damaged, or decaying.
• Prevent tooth erosion (wear and tear).
• Enhance your chewing function.
• Improve your appearance.
• With careful care, they can last between five and fifteen years.