What is a crown?
A dental crown is a synthetic cover or “cap” placed on top of your tooth, often after a restorative procedure like a root canal. A crown can improve the strength, structural integrity, and the look of your tooth.
Why do I need a crown?
There are several reasons why the Nostrand Dental Care team might suggest a crown for you, such as:
- Protecting a weak tooth from breaking, or to hold a cracked tooth together
- To restore a heavily decayed tooth
- Holding a dental bridge in place
- To cover a dental implant, misshapen teeth, or a recent root canal
When a crown is cemented onto your tooth, it covers the visible part of the tooth and restores its shape, size and appearance.
What materials are dental crowns made from?
Crowns can be made from several different types of materials:
- Metals, including gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium.
- Porcelain
- Resin
- Ceramic
There are pros and cons to each kind of material. To decide which material is best for you, your dental professional will consider many factors including location and size and make a recommendation for your specific situation.
What can I expect when having a dental crown put in?
It usually takes two separate dental visits for an entire dental crown procedure. During the first visit, your dentist will examine the damaged tooth and prepare it for the crown by shaving off a bit of enamel. After it is the proper shape, an impression of your tooth is taken.
Depending on how damaged your original tooth is, your Nostrand Dental Care professional may give you a temporary crown until your next visit. The impression of your teeth is sent to a dental lab, where they use it to create a crown for your exact mouth specifications.
On your second visit, your dentist removes any temporary crowns and fits you with the new permanent crown using a special adhesive.
After the procedure, it may be a few days until you are completely used to the feel of your new crown. But once it has settled in, your crown will look and feel like a normal tooth. If you have any concerns after you have your procedure, please call the office at any time.
How should I care for my new dental crown?
Like your natural teeth, dental crowns get worn down over time and the tooth under the dental crown is still vulnerable to infection and cavities. To prevent damage to your crown you should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Use dental products with the ADA’s ‘Seal of Acceptance’
- Avoid chewing especially hard foods
- Keep regular appointments with Nostrand Dental Care for exams and cleanings
If you have a tooth that doesn’t seem to be getting better, call the office or go online to make an appointment with Nostrand Dental Care today.
