Dental Crowns: What You Need to Know About Crowns on Teeth

Dental crowns serve to cover and restore broken, decayed, or weakened teeth. These are to restore their shape, strength, and aesthetic appearance. When dealing with broken or weakened ones or needing extra support from them, crowns may provide the solution you’ve been seeking—in this article, we cover everything you need to know about dental crowns: what they are made from, their lifespan, alternative treatments available, and care instructions—plus more! 

What Is A Dental Crown?

A dental crown is an artificial tooth cover used to restore both function and appearance by strengthening decayed or broken-down teeth back to their original state, often following root canal therapy or when fillings don’t adequately hold back decaying parts of a tooth. They may be needed when root canal therapy has failed or when fillings don’t hold decayed areas back enough.

Imagine a dental crown as a helmet for your tooth—protecting it from damage and restoring its original look. Dentists can create crowns from different materials, such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, depending on your needs and preferences.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown?

Your dentist may suggest getting a dental crown for several reasons, including to restore broken or worn-out teeth:

1. To Restore Damaged Tooth Surfaces and Support Structures: By covering and supporting damaged areas on teeth with crowns, you can give them back their integrity—in other words, bring them back into use again!
2. Strengthen a Weak Tooth: If a tooth has become compromised from decay or excessive fillings, crowns may help restore its strength and function.
3. Protect Root Canal-Treated Teeth: Root canal treatments often leave teeth vulnerable; when this happens, a crown should be put over them to protect them from further fracture.
4. To Cover a Severely Stained Tooth: Crowns can also be used to cover teeth that are stained or discolored and cannot be fixed with a regular whitening treatment.
5. To Cover a Dental Implant: After a dental implant surgery, a crown is placed on top to replace a missing tooth.
6. To Support a Dental Bridge: Crowns are sometimes used to anchor a dental bridge that replaces a missing tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are several types of crowns, and each type has its benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Metal Crowns: Metal crowns are constructed using durable metals like gold, palladium, and chromium; their composition makes them extremely sturdy. While withstanding heavy chewing forces. Unfortunately, their metallic hue makes them more noticeable; thus limiting where these crowns may be applied. Usually used on back teeth where their metallic hue doesn’t stand out so visibly.
2. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: PFM crowns are increasingly popular because they combine metal’s durability. With porcelain’s natural aesthetic qualities for front and back teeth alike offering both durability and an aesthetic solution. While these crowns may last for many years without chipping off over time. Eventually, the porcelain layer may give way and expose more metal beneath.
3. Pressed Ceramic Crowns: Pressed ceramic crowns feature an antibacterial hard ceramic core wrapped by porcelain layers for strength, providing the ideal option to restore both appearance and strength to damaged teeth. They’re suitable for front or back teeth but over time may wear down in appearance or strength.
4. All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns: For those desiring natural-looking restoration, all-ceramic crowns may be their ideal solution. Reminiscent of natural teeth in both color and translucency. They make ideal restoration options when visible teeth need restorations. Additionally, they’re great if someone suffers from metal allergies; though not as durable.
5. Same-Day Dental Crowns: Utilizing Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Technology (CAD/CAM). Some dentists offer same-day crown creation via CAD/CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing). Your digital impression of the tooth is taken and designed into an impression for use with the milling machine in their office to fabricate it in only one visit! While this approach saves time, not everyone may qualify. Speak to your dentist to determine whether this option might work for you!
6. Resin Crowns: Resin crowns are typically the least costly option and often serve as temporary crowns, although their weakness means they could break or wear faster than other materials.

How Are Dental Crowns Made?

The process of making a dental crown involves two main steps:

1. First Visit: Preparing Your Tooth The first thing your dentist will do is prepare your tooth for the crown. This involves removing some of the enamel around the damaged tooth to create space for the crown. If the tooth has a large cavity, your dentist may also use a filling material to build it up before placing the crown.
2. Taking Impressions and Creating the Crown Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist will take an impression of your tooth. This can be done with either a putty-like material or a digital scanner. These impressions are then sent to a dental lab where a technician will create your custom crown.
   While you wait for your permanent crown to be made, your dentist will place a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
3. Second Visit: Placing the Crown After a few weeks, your permanent crown will be ready. During your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit, shape, and color of the new crown. Once it’s perfect, the dentist will bond it to your tooth using a strong dental cement.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

With proper maintenance and care, dental crowns may last five to 15 years with proper use and attention. Their longevity depends on several factors including the material used, how you maintain your teeth, and where the crown sits within your mouth.

Crowns on back teeth used for chewing may wear down more rapidly than crowns on front teeth; further, habits like grinding teeth or chewing on hard objects may shorten its life significantly.

How to Care for Your Dental Crown

Caring for your dental crown is essential to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips to maintain your crown:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day to remove plaque and food particles from around your crown.
2. Avoid Hard Foods: Try to avoid chewing on hard foods like ice, nuts, or hard candies, which can crack or damage your crown.
3. Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash: Using an antibacterial mouthwash can help keep your gums and teeth clean and prevent infection around the crown.
4. Wear a Mouthguard: If you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard to protect your crown and natural teeth.
5. Regular Dental Checkups: See your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams to ensure your crown is in good condition.

Alternatives to Dental Crowns

Crowns are not the only solution for repairing damaged teeth. Depending on the situation, your dentist may recommend one of the following alternatives:

1. Veneers: These thin, porcelain shells cover the front of your teeth and are often used for cosmetic purposes, such as fixing chips, cracks, or discoloration. They are not as protective as crowns and are generally used on teeth that are in good health.
2. Fillings: If the damage is minor, a dental filling might be enough to restore the tooth. Fillings are used for smaller cavities and less extensive damage.
3. Inlays and Onlays: These are a more conservative option for repairing a tooth that has been damaged but doesn’t require a full crown. Inlays fit inside the tooth, while onlays cover the top part.
4. Dental Implants: If your tooth is severely damaged and cannot be saved with a crown, your dentist may recommend extracting the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

Are Crowns Painful?

Dental crown procedures tend not to be painful. Your dentist will numb the area around your tooth so you shouldn’t experience any discomfort during or immediately following their application, although you may experience mild soreness or sensitivity for up to a few days post-procedure; but usually, this passes quickly afterward. 

Risks Associated With Dental Crowns

Though dental crowns are generally safe and effective solutions, there may be certain risks and complications you should be wary of:

1. Tooth Sensitivity: Following receiving a crown some people may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods due to increased tooth sensitivity. This usually goes away after a few weeks.
2. Crown Loosening: If the crown isn’t fitted properly, it may become loose over time.
3. Crown Damage: Crowns can break or wear down if you chew on hard objects or grind your teeth excessively.
4. Tooth Decay: If bacteria gets trapped underneath your crown, it could result in tooth decay.

Summary!

Dental crowns can provide an invaluable way of protecting and improving a damaged or decayed tooth with its appearance being preserved at the same time. With proper maintenance, crowns should last many years with proper care taken when being fitted on them. Whether you need a crown for a broken tooth, a root canal, or just to improve your smile, it’s important to work with your dentist. Choose the right type of crown and ensure it fits properly.

If you have any questions about crowns, talk to your dentist about the best options for your dental needs.