Procedure and Care of Dental Crowns

During a dental crown, a tooth cap is placed over a tooth to cover it, restore its shape and size, strength and improve its appearance. It can be temporary, or Onlay which covers a portion of the tooth.

Use of Dental Crowning

• Protecting a weak tooth from breaking
• Restoration of an already broken tooth
• Holding a dental bridge in place
• Covering a dental implant
• Improving severely discolored teeth
• Making cosmetic modification

Contraindications of Dental Crowning

• Illnesses where the use of anesthesia is contraindicated
• Bite misalignment
• Malformed teeth
• Bad oral hygiene

Types of Teeth Crowns

1. Gold crowns

Gold crowns are a combination of copper and other metals.

Advantages

• Strong and highly resistant
• Long-lasting
• Less proportion of natural tooth needs to be removed
• Wear down slowly
• Ideal for posterior restorations

Disadvantages

• Don’t look like a natural tooth
• Prone to allergic reactions

2. Ceramic

This is the most common and is entirely made of porcelain. It is used for restoring front teeth due to their ability to blend with natural tooth color.

Advantages

• Provides the best and most natural look
• It is toxic-free

Disadvantages

• They are more exposed to cracking and chipping.

3. Porcelain crown fused to metal

They are made of porcelain with metal.

Advantages

• Durable
• It is cheaper
• Provides a better fit

Disadvantages

• The presence of a metal results in a dark line in the area where the crown meets the tooth
• It wears down easily

4. Zirconia

Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium,a strong material known for its durability.

Advantages

• Provide great aesthetics
• Strong and long-lasting
• Not likely to cause allergic reactions

Disadvantages

• Strength can make the teeth they bite against wear out.
• Difficult to adjust.

Factors to Consider the Material for Crowning

• Tooth’s location
• Position of gum tissue
• Color of surrounding teeth
• How much tooth will show when one smiles
• How much natural teeth remain

The Procedures for Dental Crown Installation

It depends on whether it is a multiday or same-day procedure.

1. Multiday Procedure

It takes 2 dental visits.

The dentist at Clinique Dentaire Dorval examines and prepares the tooth that needs the crown through x-rays to make sure it can support it.It is then filed down, and the outer layer of the tooth is removed. When severely damaged, it is filled to make it large enough to properly receive the crown.An impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth is made.

A temporary crown is put over the tooth to protect it.The impression is then sent to a lab that makes the crown, which will take several weeks. It is filled with plaster to create a cast.Cementing is done once the crown is ready.

2. Same Day Procedure

The dentist creates a three-dimensional picture of the tooth and surrounding teeth using computer-aided design. He then creates a crown using the digital scan from the photos. It takes 1-2 hours.

Once ready, it is cemented into place.They last between 5-15 years, depending on the amount of wear and tear it is exposed to, your oral hygiene, and personal mouth-related habits.

Dental Crown Care

• Careful brushing at least twice a day
• Flossing daily keeps teeth in tip-top shape
• Avoid hard foods, as they may cause the crown to crack
• In cases of teeth clenching at night, the use of night guards is recommended
• Regular checkups
• Minimize consumption of sugary foods
• Do not smoke as it causes poor blood supply to the teeth leading to more decay
• Avoid dark-colored foods and drinks: dental crowns are made from high-grade porcelain that is resistant to staining.
• Do not use teeth as tools since this damages both natural teeth and crowns.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

• Sticky foods like steak
• Raw vegetables
• Popcorn and nuts
• Extremely cold or hot food

Complications of Dental Crowning

• Sensitivity- happens as the anesthesia begins to wear off.
• Chipped crown – especially when porcelain is fused to metal.
• Loose crown- this allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to tooth that remains.
• Falling off –it can be due to decaying of the underlying tooth and loosening of cementing material.
• Allergic reaction

The effectiveness of dental crowns is based on care given. By following the guidelines, one would be protecting the crown and preserving investment. With proper oral care, it can last as long as 25 years.