What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

Dental imperfections like cracks, chips, and discoloration affect your smile and appearance. These problems also affect your chewing and also cause teeth sensitivity. Fixing these problems, is, therefore, important for your smile and dental health. Fortunately, getting dental crowns near you can help fix these problems.

What are Dental Crowns?

Teeth crowns are caps that encase the whole tooth to repair the size, shape, color, and appearance of the teeth. These caps are cemented in place using dental cement and it takes about two visits.

Our dentist in West Palm Beach, FL, can recommend dental crowns to correct some of the dental imperfections such as:

• Weak, cracked, and chipped teeth
• Broken and severely worn down teeth
• Cover large teeth fillings and dental implant
• Repair misshapen or severely discolored teeth

The dentist can also recommend dental crowns for your children if their primary teeth are at risk of developing cavities.

Dental Crowns Vs Veneers; Which Should You Get?

Both the crowns and veneers fix almost the same dental problems, but choosing either one will depend on the severity of the problem. If you have minor dental cracks, chips, and discoloration, the veneers will work great. However, the dentist may opt for dental crowns if the damage to your teeth is extensive.

The two restorations also follow the same procedure and require enamel reshaping. However, veneers do not require as much trimming as dental crowns.

Which Dental Crown is Most Suitable for You?

The type of dental crowns you choose will depend on the location of the affected teeth, the severity of the problem, and the cost. The different types of crowns available include:

• Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated at the dental office and they also do not follow the traditional steps of fixing crowns. Our dentist may recommend dental crowns for children if they are at risk of developing cavities.
• Porcelain crowns. These are tooth-colored and they are the most commonly used type. They last for about 15 years and create a seamless look.
• Metal crowns. These crowns are made of gold, silver, or alloys. They are very durable and can withstand chewing pressure and as such are suitable for the back teeth. The metal crowns are a bit expensive compared to the rest of the types.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine the durability of the metals and the aesthetics of the porcelain. These crowns, however, cause the gums to discolor a little bit.
• Composite crowns are made of resin that can be crafted to look like your natural teeth but are not as durable or resistant to stains.

How Are the Crowns Fixed?

Getting dental crowns in West Beach requires at least two dental visits and involves a couple of steps:

• Examination and planning

The dentist will first examine your teeth, gums, and jaw support. He will then take you through the dental crown types, their pros and cons, and which one is ideal for you. If you have any decay or infection, the appropriate treatment is given before the crowns are fixed.

• Teeth preparation

Before the crowns are cemented, the dentist will remove a significant amount of the enamel depending on the severity of the problem and the thickness of the crowns. This process can cause tooth sensitivity, but don’t worry, local anesthesia is used to numb the gums.

The dentist will take a cast of your reshaped teeth to make the permanent crowns. He will cover the teeth with temporary crowns to protect the teeth from sensitivity as you wait for the permanent ones to be made.

• Fixing the crowns

The second dental visit is scheduled three to four weeks after the initial consultation. The dentist will replace the temporary crowns with the permanent ones by cementing them in place. A special block is used and it is hardened with laser light.

How Often Should the Dental Crowns Be Replaced?

The dental crowns can last for about 10 to 15 years without needing a replacement. However, if they are worn out or you have decay underneath the crowns, you may need to have them removed. It is important to visit a dentist near you often to have the crowns assessed.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit John S. Ledakis, DDS, PA for more information about dental crowns and how they are fixed.