A dental crown is a dental restoration that completely encircles and caps a tooth, changing its shape and size. Unlike dentures that can be taken out of the mouth and cleaned, a dental crown is permanently cemented onto the tooth to improve your facial appearance. Once a crown is cemented into its place, it fully encases all visible portions of your tooth above the gum line.
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A dental crown is a dental restoration that completely encircles and caps a tooth, changing its shape and size. Unlike dentures that can be taken out of the mouth and cleaned, a dental crown is permanently cemented onto the tooth to improve your facial appearance. Once a crown is cemented into its place, it fully encases all visible portions of your tooth above the gum line.
Reasons for getting a dental crown include:
There are several types of dental crowns available. The patient consults with the doctor and decides which type of dental crown is best suitable for him/her.
Porcelain fused crowns to metal- Unlike regular porcelains, this type of crown attached to a metal structure provides a very strong bond. Porcelain fused crowns to a metal structure is extremely durable.
Ceramic- Ceramic is popular for its ability to blend perfectly with your natural teeth colour. Used for restoration purpose, ceramic crowns are made out of porcelain-based material.
Base metal alloys- These types of crowns are extremely durable, strong and have great resistant power to corrosion. Besides, it does require removing the slightest amount of healthy tooth for crowning with metal alloys.
Gold alloys- A combination of copper, gold and other metals are used for creating the crown. As a result, the crowns provide a strong bond to the teeth, does not wear or even fracture.
Needless to say, dental crowns ensure natural and healthy looking tooth that can carry normal chewing and biting forces like your regular teeth. Before dental crowning, there are few preparations to be taken.
The preparation process of a dental crown requires the patient to make two trips to the dental clinic. The first visit involves examining your tooth, while the second step includes placement of the crown. During the period between the two visits, your doctor prepares the crown.
Let’s see the preparations to be taken in the initial appointment:
The final appointment determines how dental crown is performed. Once the dental crown is fabricated in a laboratory, it is cemented into the place in the final appointment.
For up to 2-3 hours after the procedure of dental crown, you may experience numbness in the mouth. Once the feeling of numbness wears off, you may feel a little soreness and sensitivity in the jaw and face. You should avoid having cold or hot foods or any hard food.
Patients should chew on the other side of the mouth where the crown is placed. Thus, practising this procedure for three to four days ensures sufficient time for the crown tooth and the surrounding gum to health. Any lingering tooth sensitivity disappears in a week of the procedure.