Dental crowns are sturdy, permanent restorations that can increase the useful life of natural teeth. A dental crown should last five to 15 years, perhaps longer, with proper care.
Uses of Dental Crowns
The primary reason dentists place crowns is to restore teeth that have suffered advanced decay. When removing the decayed material leaves too little healthy tooth surface to place a filling, the dentist uses a crown to restore and protect the tooth.
Crowns restore teeth after root canals. They also help when teeth break due to excessive wear, accidents, and trauma.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Durable
Dental crowns can withstand chewing force, allowing patients to eat what they want within reason. Some caution may be needed with hard or sticky foods to avoid dislodging the crown. A properly placed dental crown should stay in place for several years, and if it does fall out, there is a high chance that the dentist can re-cement it.
Lifelike
Crowns both look and feel like the original tooth. Porcelain over metal and ceramic crowns look the most like natural teeth, but sometimes patients opt for metal or gold alloy restorations.
Easy Care
Crowns require no more special care than a healthy natural tooth. Brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist keep crowns in shape.
Preserve Teeth from Extraction
A significant benefit of dental crowns is saving natural teeth from extraction. The jawbone near a missing tooth begins to break down without chewing stimulation from the root. Leaving the natural root in place is best for the patient's oral health and is much less expensive than the next best option, a dental implant.
Types of Dental Crowns
Today's primary crown types are ceramic, porcelain-fused metal, gold alloy, and metal alloy. Each type of crown has advantages. Ceramic and porcelain crowns look natural, and most patients today prefer these two types. Gold and metal alloy crowns are extra durable for molars and other high-pressure areas.
The Dental Crown Process
The dentist first takes a digital impression of the damaged tooth to create a dental crown. This impression will help to create a lifelike restoration. The dentist then prepares the tooth to receive the crown, removing damaged and decayed material. The dentist takes another impression of the prepared tooth to ensure a perfect fit. After the crown is complete, the dentist applies it to the tooth and permanently cements it into place.
Same-Day Crowns and Traditional Crowns
Bisson Dentistry offers both same-day crowns and traditional options. Your dentist will explain which is the best choice for your situation.
Call Bisson Dentistry
If you have extensive tooth decay, a root canal, or a broken tooth, a crown may be your best choice for restoring its look and function. Call Bisson Dentistry at 519-821-3561 to make an appointment in our Guelph, ON, office.