Crowns for teeth. What is a dental crown and when does it become necessary to get one?
A dental crown is essentially a cap shaped as a tooth, which is placed over one in order to cover it, restore its shape and size or improve its aesthetic impact and overall appearance.
It is a rather simple example of dental care that can serve to numerous purposes and be a solution to more than one problem.
Dental care. The use of crowns.
For example, when there is a weak tooth, a dental crown will help protect it from further decay. Or, a tooth that is already broken or extremely worn down can be restored and protected with a crown.
A dental crown can laso be very useful in supporting other dental implants: for instance, it can cover an implant, or help with holding a bridge in place.
Dental crowns are also very important for improving and preserving a healthy and pleasing appearance of the teeth: they can be used to cover a discolored tooth and make adjustments and cosmetic modifications in tone.
Dental crowns can be used with children too: in this case, they are mainly used on primary teeth (commonly known as baby teeth), in order to prevent them from serious decay, especially when there is a high risk, such as the child having difficulties in keeping up with basic oral hygiene.
Material can vary, but dental crowns are most commonly made of stainless steel, metals or ceramic.
Dental implants. Important to note, dental crowns are a permanent implant.
The procedure to place a dental crown usually requires a couple of visits: the first one for examination and preparation purposes, the second to actually place the crown over the tooth.
It is particularly important to thoroughly check the roots and, if there is the risk of infection due to extensive decay, perform a root canal treatment first.
The tooth will then be prepared for the placing of the crown itself: after filling and reshaping, the dentist will use a paste to make an impression of the tooth in order to have the crown manifactured in a dental lab.
Dental crowns. The crown will usually be ready in a few weeks.
Once the crown is ready, during the second visit it will be permanently cemented in place. The dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth while the crown is placed.
All in all, getting a dental crown is a rather simple and painless procedure, which can sensibly improve dental health and help with caring for the well-being of our teeth.
