Does Your Smile Deserve A Crown?

When your smile is less than attractive, a dental crown could be the answer. Dental crowns not only make your teeth look more attractive, but they can also create more stability for damaged teeth. Crowns can be appropriate if you have a poorly shaped or discolored tooth, if you've had a root canal or if your tooth is cracked. If your dentist has recommended a crown for you, read on to find out more about the process and what to expect.

What is a Crown?

You might want to think of a crown by its other name, a cap. Made of various materials, this cap simply covers your natural tooth in a permanent manner. If the crown will be easily visible, natural-looking material is chosen so that it blends in with your other teeth in shape and color. A number of options in various price ranges are available and what you end up with depends on where it needs to go, what it needs to do (grinding vs. biting), and your budget.

A Two-Visit Process

At the first visit, your dentist will remove any decay and shape your tooth to get it ready for the crown. Then, an impression is made so that the crown can be created to fit seamlessly over your natural tooth. New technology allows the dentist to digitally scan your mouth so that the old way of biting down on a mold is not always necessary. If needed, you may receive a filling at that time. In some cases, your dentist might recommend a root canal before the crown is fitted. Finally, your dentist may fit a temporary crown over your tooth while you wait for the final tooth to be made. These temporary crowns are somewhat fragile, so follow your dentist's instructions about eating and drinking for the time being. It should be mentioned that some dental offices are able to produce and fit a permanent crown on a single day, saving you an extra visit or the need to use a temporary crown.

The second visit involves removing the temporary crown. You will be the judge of how the crown looks and feels so be sure to speak up if it needs some adjustments to look natural. It's common to need some shaving to fit properly and the color can be corrected on the spot. All this work is performed before the tooth is permanently affixed with strong dental cement that is meant to last many years.

To find out more about dental crowns, speak to your dentist or local dental services office.