Are Dental Crowns Suitable For Me?
The permanent teeth can be worn down and damaged over time due to old age and constant use. The development of teeth in humans starts at about six to twelve months after the birth of a child. The teeth at this stage are called the milk teeth. The milk teeth help kids to chew food, improve their swallowing, help in the pronunciation of words, aid the growth of bones around the teeth, and reserve space for the permanent teeth to grow.
The permanent teeth are stronger than the milk teeth, and they, therefore, replace them as the child grows. If a permanent tooth falls out or is extracted for any reason, there is no other tooth to grow naturally in its place. This is because the permanent teeth are meant to last an individual for a lifetime, as the name implies. However, the teeth are prone to defects and damages that can occur as a result of various reasons.
Damages to the teeth can be caused by injuries or work/sport-related accidents, tooth decay, bad oral habits, and hygiene. This can lead to the teeth losing their shape and size. This is not pleasing aesthetically, can reduce the efficiency of the teeth in performing their functions, and lead to serious dental problems. However, these do not have to happen because of the advent of dental crowns which help to return the aesthetics and efficiency of the teeth.
Dental crowns are artificially made tooth-shaped caps that are placed over the teeth to help with the restoration, reparation, and protection from further damage. They help to restore the shape, size, strength, appearance, and length of worn-down teeth. Dental crowns are made from composite resin, porcelain, metal, ceramic, and a combination of these materials.
Dental Crowns Procedure
Preparing to receive a dental crown typically requires two visits to the dentist. Your first encounter with a dentist for dental crowns is to determine your eligibility, examine the tooth, and prepare the dental crown. An x-ray of the tooth and the bones around it is taken, and you might have to undergo a root canal procedure in case of decay, infections, and damage to the tooth’s pulp. The tooth to be worked done is then prepared to receive the crown. This is done by filling the tooth through the top and its sides to make room for the dental crown.
The intensity of the filling depends on the material with which your dental crown is made. If your tooth has been severely worn down by decay or damage, you might need dental fillings to regain a tooth structure that can be covered by a dental crown. After filing and reshaping, impressions of your tooth are made and sent to a laboratory for the making of the dental crowns.
When the dental crown arrives, it is checked to make sure its color matches your natural teeth and it fits correctly. Local anesthesia is administered to prevent pain and the dental crown is placed over the teeth and cemented into place.
Dental Crown Problems
The following are problems you might face after having a dental crown:
- Dental crowns made of porcelain can chip or crack under heavy pressure.
- Dental crowns can become loose when the cement used to hold them in place washes away.
- Dental crowns can cause discomfort and sensitivity of the tooth to cold and hot temperatures.
- Although rare, you can have allergic reactions to the metals used in making dental crowns.
- Dental crowns, as a result of improper fitting or cementing, can fall out.
Pros And Cons Of Dental Crowns
The advantages of dental crowns include:
- Improving the appearance of your teeth.
- Reshaping your teeth.
- Protecting your teeth from decay, and holding a cracked tooth together.
- Covering a discolored, uneven, and misshapen tooth.
- Complementing a dental implant and hold a dental bridge in place
The disadvantages of dental crowns include:
- Although strong and durable, dental crowns can crack.
- To receive a dental crown, your tooth must be reshaped. Therefore this process is irreversible.
- The cement used to hold a dental crown in place can wash away and lead to further decay.
Importance Of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns cover the teeth and help to cover a lot of imperfections in the process. They save you the time, energy, and costs of having to undergo various cosmetic dental procedures to possess the perfect set of teeth.