Dental Crowns Specialist Q&A
Dental crowns are tooth-colored or coverings that fit over the teeth and are used to correct and improve their size, color, shape, and general look. When a tooth is at risk of getting severely decayed, a crown may be needed. If you want to protect your teeth from further damage, contact Smile Dental in Stafford, TX for the treatment of your damaged teeth with our dental crown specialists. We are conveniently located at 738 FM 1092 Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online.
Table of Contents:
What are dental crowns?
Why would you need a dental crown?
What are dental crowns made of?
How is the tooth prepared for a dental crown?
How long do dental crowns typically last?
The teeth are strong and resilient structures, but they can still be subjected to damage, either from decay or from a dental procedure, such as a root canal. Dental crowns are used when a tooth is damaged, cracked or decayed and can add function and form to the tooth. These procedures have been performed for several decades and have helped countless patients improve the strength and durability of their teeth.
Dental crowns are used to protect the teeth from further damage when one or more teeth are broken, cracked or decayed. They are also used in the treatment of gum disease to cover large areas of diseased tissue, when removing the tissue would be detrimental to the health of the rest of the mouth. Crowns are also used to cover dental implants when the patient wants to cover them without removing their implant.
Crowns are used to protect the teeth from further damage when one or more teeth are broken, cracked or decayed. They are also used to cover large areas of diseased tissue; covered areas of diseased tissue can heal faster, and a crown prevents further infection of the tissue. This is important for patients that are undergoing root canal treatment.
It is a good idea to have a dental crown when an individual has a tooth that is in need of repair. Without a crown, the tooth can continue to decay, making it more susceptible to pain and infection. A crown can be made for any number of reasons, but the main reason for a crown is to restore the tooth back to its original form. This is done by covering the damaged area with a veneer made of porcelain, plastic or composite material, which is then cemented to the tooth.
Dental crowns can be made of several different materials, including porcelain, metal, stainless steel, and resin.
• All-Porcelain Crowns — All-porcelain crowns are often preferred because of their ability to match the look of natural teeth and can be made from a number of natural materials, although they are not as durable or long-lasting as metal crowns.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns — Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, or PFM crowns, are constructed with porcelain placed over top of the metal surfaces of the underlying crown. Combining the strength of metal with the more natural look of overlaid porcelain, these crowns are especially long-lasting.
• Metal Crowns — While all-metal crowns can be made from a number of different alloys, gold is the most common material used in these crowns.
• Stainless Steel Crowns — One of the oldest types of crown, stainless steel crowns are commonly composed of iron, nickel, carbon, manganese, and chromium, although sometimes other metals are also used. Many dental practices do not offer stainless steel crowns because more modern materials used in dentistry offer distinct advantages over stainless steel.
• All-Resin Crowns — All-resin crowns are the least-durable type of crown, acting more as a temporary treatment as there is a high probability of early or regular replacement. For that reason, many dental practices do not offer resin crowns, but instead opt for a more durable and longer-lasting material.
Teeth preparation for a dental crown involves:
• Initial Impression — Before altering the tooth’s structure, in some cases the dentist will make a preliminary impression or mold of the tooth. This is used to create a temporary crown while the permanent one is being created.
• Color Matching — To determine the shade of the natural teeth, a color guide will be used if the crown is tooth-colored. For maximum accuracy, the color is matched in natural lighting.
• Isolation — To prevent injuries from the tools used for tooth preparation, the tooth is separated from the tongue and cheeks. In most cases a rubber dam is used as a protective barrier, however other retraction devices such as cotton rolls or cheek shields may be used.
• Basic Preparation — Basic preparation typically involves cutting the tooth with unique dental burs in order to create space for the restoration and to remove parts of the tooth that are structurally compromised. The tooth is prepared by removing previous restoration materials (if present) and decay, and if possible, by filling missing portions of the tooth or any deep cavities.
The average lifespan of a crown is about 10 years, but when properly fitted and looked after, they can last for decades, regardless of the material they are made of. Other factors include:
• the location of the tooth
• how much of the natural tooth remains
• how much of the crown is visible
• the type of material used
Smile Dental is dedicated to providing you with all of your dental crown needs. Our dentists are experienced providers of dental crowns and can help you achieve a radiant smile. Call us today to book an appointment for a dental crown, or visit our clinic in Stafford, Texas today! We serve patients from Stafford TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Sugar Land TX, Fifth Street TX, Dewalt TX, and Trammels TX. We look forward to serving you!
