Oral health doesn’t get as much attention as it should, as one in four Americans live with untreated tooth decay. Leaving your teeth unprotected can lead to tooth loss. This will impact your life in many ways, such as making you unable to eat certain foods and making it challenging to speak.
Thankfully, you don’t have to live the rest of your life with your mouth missing a couple of teeth if you suffer from tooth decay or loss. A good cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, AZ can restore your teeth’s appearance and function with dental crowns.
This treatment will do a lot more than make your smile beautiful again. In addition to improved aesthetics, it provides patients with various functional benefits and the confidence to socialize without feeling conscious.
However, different types of crowns have different strengths and weaknesses. What happens before and after a tooth crown procedure can also be a genuine cause of concern.
This piece will detail some of the most relevant information involving dental crowns. It will discuss the entire process, the kinds of dental crowns available, and the benefits you can get from having them installed into your teeth.
What Happens Before You Get a Dental Crown?
Some may consider the installation of dental crowns as cosmetic dentistry rather than restorative. However, the fact that a crown functions the same way an actual tooth does is a testament to its effectiveness as a restorative dental procedure.
Before the actual operation, you will go through a preliminary appointment with your dentist. They will assess the current condition of your teeth and jaw.
During the initial appointment, your dentist will determine the full condition of your tooth. They will assess the level of decay, the risk of infection, and the potential damage that decay may cause to the pulp.
The appointment will involve an x-ray so your dentist can get a better look into the target tooth. Depending on its condition, you may also require a root canal to save your tooth.
After the initial inspection, your dentist will file down the tooth that will receive the crown to make space for it to attach to. The amount of tooth to be filed down depends on your chosen crown type. An impression made out of putty will be made out of the filed tooth. Your dentist will then send the impressions to a dental laboratory, which will manufacture the crown within two to three weeks.
While waiting for the final crown to arrive, a capable cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, AZ can apply a temporary crown to perform the functions of the permanent one. It won’t be as effective as the one dental laboratory will manufacture, but it should provide you with a functional bite while you’re waiting for your crown.
What Happens During the Dental Crown Installation?
Once the crown is delivered to your dentist, the second appointment will take place as soon as you’re available. The dentist will remove the temporary dental crown and then seal the permanent one into place. They will check the crown’s color and adjust it to fit with the surrounding teeth. After applying local anesthesia, they will permanently cement the crown into place.
What Should You Look Out For With Your Dental Crown?
Your primary concern before and after the tooth crown procedure is to check for possible side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, set an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Discomfort or Sensitivity
Once the anesthesia wears off, sensitivity and discomfort are among the most common problems you’ll encounter during the process. Your dentist will most likely recommend specialized toothpaste for sensitive teeth to deal with the side effects. If you feel pain while biting down, there may be something wrong with the fit. A separate appointment with your dentist should solve the problem.
Chipped Crowns
Crowns made of porcelain have a chance to chip, which could spike the long-term costs of your tooth crown. If the chip is small enough, it can be sorted with a quick appointment to fix it. However, a large crack may require a total replacement of the damaged crown.
Loose Crown
The cement that locks the crown in its place may loosen up over time, and the weakening of the cement does more than just make it insecure. Bacteria can enter and affect the tooth underneath. If you feel that your crown is loosening up, you should have it sorted out as soon as possible.
Crown Fell Off
The most common culprits for your dental crown falling off are improper fits and a lack of cement during the crown’s installation. There’s nothing you can do about this case but set an appointment with your dentist.
Allergic Reactions
Since there are different kinds of dental crowns, it’s plausible that your body will have a negative reaction to a certain compound. Fortunately, these cases are rare. And even if it does happen, a quick consultation with your dentist should help you identify better crown compounds to use.
Dark Line on the Crowned Tooth Next to the Gum Line
This particular problem is common among porcelain crowns. It is caused by the crown becoming visible near the gumline. If you feel dissatisfied with its appearance, the best course of action is to replace the crown with another material.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns generally last a long time. Depending on the material used, they can last anywhere from 10-15 years. Your dietary and oral hygiene habits further influence your lifespan.
To make the most of your crowns, you should take the following steps:
- Practice good oral hygiene. Start brushing twice a day with toothpaste specialized for sensitive teeth. Regular flossing will prevent anything from getting stuck between your crown and natural teeth. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings also helps your crowns in the long run.
- Adjust your eating habits. Eating hard foods is the quickest way of accelerating your crown’s deterioration, so munching on ice or any hard foods should be avoided. You should also avoid sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum, as they can pull your crown off over time.
- Getting a night guard. If you find yourself grinding your teeth at night, consider getting a night guard or any product that will prevent you from constantly attacking your crown every night.
What Are the Common Tooth Crown Materials You Can Get?
Dentists currently use five types of dental crowns, and each one comes with its own perks and challenges.
Stainless Steel
These dental crowns are usually used for children’s crowns since they don’t require multiple visits. These crowns cover the entire tooth and prevent further tooth decay. However, stainless steel dental crown implants are usually temporary placeholders until the permanent crown is made.
Metals
Crowns made out of metals are better for out-of-sight molars since they are well-suited for biting and chewing forces. They also wear down the slowest out of all the materials. However, their most significant drawback is their expensive price tag.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
Crowns made with this material look and feel just like natural teeth, making them ideal for your incisors. However, these crowns are one of the quickest to chip and break down. The underlying metal can also show, giving your smile a visually unappealing look.
All-Resin
The biggest advantage of resin crowns is their price. However, its affordability comes with little resistance to wear and tear and fractures. You’re likely to get more value out of the other options listed here.
All-Porcelain/All-Ceramic
These crowns blend better with surrounding teeth and are great for people with metal allergies. However, their reliability over time can’t match up to their metallic counterparts.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
The most obvious benefit you’ll get from dental crowns is their protection of your damaged tooth. If one of your teeth is suffering from tooth decay, giving it ample protection is your utmost priority. A great dental crown implant can give you that peace of mind.
A crown will maintain the natural appearance of your teeth, allowing you to interact confidently with your friends, loved ones, and colleagues. You’ll be able to eat normally, smile and laugh without being conscious of your appearance, and be able to focus more and have a good time.
Restore Your Smile with Dental Crown Implants
This only touches on some of the matters involving dental crowns. The right crown can do a lot for you, so make sure that you choose the right materials and dentist for the job.
If you’re looking for a trusted dentist in Scottsdale, AZ that can properly install your dental implants, count on Dr. Rod W. Gore, DDS. For over 29 years, he has been helping his patients regain their confidence with his tried-and-tested restorative dentistry. He’s also the professional many Scottsdale individuals and households trust with their preventive and cosmetic dentistry needs.
Get in touch with Dr. Gore and his team to set an appointment for you and your family. They are more than happy to help you get the perfect smile you deserve.