How a Dental Crown Can Help to Protect Your Teeth

Dentists are committed to doing all they can to protect patients’ natural teeth and when serious damage is caused they will take whatever action they can to save the tooth.

In the case of a crack, fracture or serious cavity the best course of treatment is often a dental crown.

A dental crown helps to protect the original tooth structure, which can help the patient to avoid an extraction and an inevitable gap in their smile.

In this guide, we’re looking at the role of crowns in dentistry and when you might need one. We’ll also explore some of the practical sides of having a crown fitted, including the procedure and aftercare.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is essentially a cover for the damaged tooth that is shaped to fit in with the other teeth. Its prime purpose is to protect the remaining tooth from further damage – and in the long run to avoid the need for the tooth to be removed should the problem worsen.

A dental crown can be made from different materials, which offer different benefits, with varying strength levels being one of them. These are:

Metal

Gold crowns have long been used to protect teeth from further damage and due to the material’s natural strength are very long lasting and durable, however, due to the colour these are generally used at the back of the mouth.

Porcelain-metal fused

These combine a more natural finish that can be better matched to the colour of the other teeth, while also benefiting from the strength of the metal underneath to help withstand daily wear.

Porcelain/ ceramic

Ceramic dental crowns have a more natural finish than other materials and make an ideal choice from front teeth that need dental work. However, the material is weaker than metal and more prone to damage if used on molars.

When would you need a dental crown?

Teeth can be damaged in accidents or cracked through biting into hard food – such as popcorn kernels, toffee etc. If the damage results in a ‘fracture’ that has not reached the root of the tooth a crown can be fitted to prevent the damage worsening, which will in effect save the tooth.

For teeth that are badly discoloured due to damage or medications, we can cover this with a crown so that it doesn’t impact your confidence. If you’re thinking about teeth whitening, always whiten your teeth first so we can match the crown to your desired level of whiteness.

A dental crown could also be used to give added protection to a tooth where a large cavity has emerged due to decay. While a filling would be used to repair the cavity there can sometimes be a risk that if a filling is large enough it will split the tooth.

Dental crowns are commonly used after root canal procedures, as this helps to build up the strength of the tooth and provide protection.

You might also have a crown for a restoration procedure like a dental implant. The crown is placed on top of the implant to complete the restoration.

How are crowns fitted?

A crown fits over the top of the tooth like a small cap. Each crown is designed specifically for you so that it matches the surrounding and opposite teeth. It’s important that the crown aligns with the opposite tooth for a natural bite, or you would struggle to chew.

We start by preparing the tooth by removing a small portion of the enamel. This makes space for the crown. The tooth doesn’t need to be filed down to a small peg, we can achieve a lot by only removing a small amount of the enamel.

Next we scan the tooth and the opposite teeth and take physical impressions. These are used by the laboratory to design and form your crown. When it arrives in our practice, we’ll invite you back to fit the restoration.

The crown is held in place with dental cement which can only be removed by your dentist. This holds it firmly in place for years. We fit the crown and then ask you to bite down to check that it feels natural. We might need to adjust it slightly to get a perfect fit.

How do you care for a crown?

You’ll need to brush your teeth as you normally would, and pay close attention to the gum line. Your dental crown won’t stain like your natural teeth, but it can develop plaque and tartar which can damage your gums if left to build up. This is why it’s important to protect your teeth by brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

We’ll teach you how to floss around the crown so that you don’t accidentally damage it or cause it to come loose.

Crowns are designed to last for around 7-12 years, depending on where they are in your mouth and how well you care for them. It’s possible for the crown to come loose due to wear and tear. If this happens, try to save the crown and return to the dentist so it can be refitted.

You might need to have the crown replaced if it chips or breaks, but most will last for at least 5 years before this is the case. Crowns at the back of the mouth will experience more pressure from your bite, but they are usually made from more durable materials.

Crowns at the front of your mouth are more likely to chip as they are made from aesthetically pleasing but weaker materials. You can avoid this risk by taking care when you bite into food and avoiding bad habits like chewing on ice.

Ready for your crown restoration?

For more information about dental crowns, or if you are concerned about a cracked tooth contact Bhandal Dental Practice.