Think of your tooth enamel as a hard, outer shell protecting your teeth from the pressures and force of everyday chewing and biting. Enamel also keeps a solid barrier between your vulnerable, soft inner tooth and harmful oral bacteria which could cause infection or inflammation. We have a lot to thank enamel for! But when your outer tooth becomes damaged or deteriorates from a large cavity or after root canal treatment, your tooth can lose this valuable protection. To reinforce your tooth’s defenses, as well as to provide a beautiful, natural-looking restoration, Dr Jennifer Collins will place a dental crown. To learn more about crowns, and what to expect when you receive one, continue reading below!
For Strength and Beauty
Dental crowns are placed for either restorative or cosmetic purposes. Most often, our dentists choose dental crown treatment when there is significant damage to the tooth enamel which cannot be corrected by a filling alone. This includes teeth that are:
Chipped
Cracked
Broken
Decayed
Dental crowns are used in conjunction with other restorative procedures such as root canal therapy and dental implants, to provide a replacement for the lost or damaged tooth crown. In these cases, the primary procedures must first be completed before a dental crown is placed.
For other patients, however, dental crowns are part of a smile makeover treatment to correct a tooth that is:
Misshapen
Under-sized
Deeply discolored
Dull
When professional teeth whitening or dental bonding treatments are not enough, dental crowns can be a long-lasting cosmetic solution for unaesthetic teeth.
Preparing for a Dental Crown
Before receiving a crown, your dentist will x-ray and examine the affected tooth and surrounding structures.
During this exam, your dentist makes sure that the delicate inner tooth is in good shape before placing a dental crown. If the inner tooth (or “pulp”) has become infected or inflamed due to the broken or deteriorated enamel, root canal therapy may be needed. This removes all infection and inflammation, and protects the rest of your teeth and gums by eliminating the possibility of the infection spreading. It also ensures the tooth does not cause additional pain.
Fitting the dental crown
Before the final crown can be placed, the natural tooth must be shaped in order to fit under the dental crown. This shaping allows the crown to fit naturally, without seeming bulky or over-sized. A local anesthetic is first applied to dull feeling and keep you comfortable before shaping begins. Your dentist will then carefully eliminate any decay and remove outer layers of enamel. This process should not cause pain.
Once the tooth is cleaned and prepped, dental impressions are taken to help the dental laboratory technicians create a custom dental crown.
Fitting Your Final Crown
When the final crown is completed, it will be sent to our surgery by the dental laboratory ready for placement. Your dentist will first check that it fits comfortably before permanently bonding it to the tooth; sometimes, slight adjustments to the natural tooth shape may need to be made again to ensure proper fit. Once ready, your dentists applies bonding cement to the inside of the crown before securely placing it onto your natural tooth. The bonding process occurs very quickly, producing a long-lasting bond that will hold up to daily eating and drinking.
Recovery and Care
Patients who receive dental crowns are usually ready to return to daily activities immediately. Some sensitivity is normal for the first few days or weeks following treatment. However, if discomfort or pain persists after receiving your final crown, always contact our practice. Slight adjustments to the shape of your crown could help reduce pressure on the restored tooth and alleviate symptoms.
Caring for your crown is much like caring for your natural teeth: brush twice daily with a soft-bristled crush, and floss once a day. It is also a good idea to avoid chewing on tough or hard foods directly on the crown, as much as possible. Most dental crowns last about eight to 10 years before needing to be replaced. You can help extend the life of your crown by taking good care of it at home and receiving regular dental cleanings and exams every six months.
#teeth #dentist #dentistdublin #dentistdublin4 #oralhygiene #gumdisease #flouride #toothbrush#toothbrushing#gingivitis#crown#bridge#dentalcrown
#cavities#flouride